The Central Ave Special Improvement District Management Corporation is Jersey City’s first improvement district to reach the 25-year mark. This main street community has grown immensely over the last quarter century noting that the 4% storefront vacancy rate is the lowest it has been in over fifteen years. The demand to open a business here is rising while the rate businesses are leaving slows down. Central Avenue looks forward to a bright future with a number of City projects in the pipeline including a new police station, new parking deck, and repaving the roadway in the next year. Central Avenue SID members (commercial property and/or business owners in the district) have invested significantly in Jersey City through a self-imposed special assessment and are enjoying the fruits of their labor. Forty-four (44) businesses in particular have been here since the Improvement District began in 1992. They are staples in the community and serve as a beacon for new businesses to set up shop in the Jersey City Heights. With many to choose from, here are our top 10!

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Hauptman Floor and Window Covering Co.
307 Central Ave

Hauptman was founded on Central Avenue in 1909 by William Hauptman and is the oldest business on Central Avenue (109 years!). The business was purchased by the Solomon Family in the 1960s and is currently owned and operated by Gary Solomon. In 1992, Gary was a founding member of the first Improvement District in Jersey City. Hauptman Floors has a long standing tradition of offering quality products and being heavily involved in the community. This is your local go-to for floor and window covering needs at affordable prices and great service.

Andrea Salumeria
247 Central Ave

Andrea Salumeria in Jersey City is the winner of the 2016 New Jersey’s Best Sub/ Hoagie Shop Showdown. This small family-run business has been around since 1975 and continues to be a prominent business in Hudson County. Outside of great food, Pete Soriano and his staff are some of the most welcoming people around. It would be a sin to visit Jersey City and NOT stop by Andrea’s for fresh cheese, meats, pasta, cannolis, and plenty more. You must get a sub and taste for yourself to see why Andrea’s is the best in New Jersey!

Renato’s Pizza Masters
278 Central Ave

A local favorite, how could anyone pass up Pizza Masters? They’ve been around since 1959 and have always been involved in the neighborhood by sponsoring countless community events and youth sports teams over the years. The family-owned business is run by Mark and Lorenzo who have taken over for their semi-retired dad, Rich De Marchi. The storefront recently took on a major expansion project to create a large modern commercial kitchen and left the pizzeria area with a brand new look. Renato’s fine dining spot in the back continues to be one of The Heights best kept secrets.

Baines Family Dental
386 Central Ave

Another neighborhood favorite is Baines Family Dental who has been around since 1973. Marshall and Keith Baines followed their father’s footsteps to become dentists and continue to serve Jersey City by offering quality dental care for children and adults. Fun Fact: Baines is currently located where Bonds Drugs (Pharmacy) was originally located. This spot was also adjacent to a very popular Ritz Theater until the 1960s.

Mendez Agency
263 Central Ave

The Mendez Agency has served Jersey City for over 55 years. The family owned business was started by John T Mendez in 1955 on Grove Street in downtown before eventually locating to Central Avenue in 1978. Son Gilbert Mendez, another founding member of the first Improvement District in Jersey City, took over the family business in its entirety by 2002. Gil is a lifelong resident of Jersey City and takes pride in our hometown. It is a well-known fact for many locals that Mendez Agency is the place to purchase insurance, travel packages, file taxes and plenty more.

DC Travel Bureau
2 Lincoln St

DC Travel Bureau has served Hudson County for 48 years by helping thousands of people plan their vacations. The business was started by Domenick Cutri in 1970 after moving to Jersey City from Italy with his wife, Grace. Domenick retired many years ago and passed away in 2017. The business carried on thanks largely to Grace. She has been an active member of the community serving on the Central Avenue SID board and affiliated with the Dante Alighieri Society of Jersey City for decades. DC Travel is the only Commissioned Ticket Agent selling NJ Transit bus tickets in the Jersey City Heights.

Gino’s Pizzeria & Restaurant
380 Central Ave

Gino’s is a popular family-owned restaurant that’s been around since 1976. They’re a staple in the community and often considered one of the best pizza spots in the City. Frank and Andrew Saputo continue to run the family-owned business after taking over for their father Salvatore several years ago. What started as a small pizzeria grew into what is now a cornerstone restaurant for great Italian-American food on Central Avenue.

Tommy’s Family Restaurant
349 Central Ave

There’s nothing better than comfort food in a cozy diner. Tommy’s offers delicious food with awesome service and is quite the hidden gem. They’re a longstanding staple in the community and favorite spot for longtime Heights residents.

Salerno Salumeria
453 Central Ave

Who can pass up on fresh mozzarella, affordable meats, and great service? Salerno Salumeria is a classic family-owned Italian deli which sells quality Italian imports and has been doing so for decades. They’re a local favorite for fresh Italian products, and their wheat pies are a must-have around Easter. The City of Jersey City recently recognized owners Francesca and Vincent Citro by honoring them with a Small Business Award.

Bond Drugs
371 Central Ave

Bond Drugs has been serving Jersey City’s health care needs since 1939. From picking up prescriptions to getting health screenings, this pharmacy is here to help. Feeling well enough to party? Bond Drugs also offers an assortment of Beer and Liquor to get you through the weekend. Longtime pharmacist Sanford Fishman is a beloved fixture in the community and currently leads the Central Avenue Special Improvement District as the board President.

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Did your favorite Central Avenue business not make this list? Given that so many great businesses that have reached the 25-year mark, it was not easy narrowing down a list to just 10. Let us know in the comment section who would be your top ten.

Business established on Central Avenue in 1992 or earlier:

Name	Address	Since (approximately)
Andrea Salumeria Grocery	247 Central Ave	1975
C.H. Martin	256 Central Ave	1975
Mendez Agency Nationwide Travel	263 Central Ave	1978
Kennedy Department Store	268-270 Central Ave	1974
Renato’s Pizza Masters Restaurant	278 Central Ave	1959
Office of Dentist Discepola	281 Central Ave	1976
Jersey City Florist	285 Central Ave	1961
Jersey Drugs	286 Central Ave	1973
Charles B. Swenson Real Estate, LLC	289 Central Ave	1919
Office of Shah, Hemand MD	297 Central Ave	1992
Jang Star Taekwondo School	299 Central Ave	1990
Novick Hardware and Home Center	302 Central Ave	1950
Hauptman Carpets	307 Central Ave	1909
King’s Son	309 Central Ave	1972
Dunkin Donuts	318 Central Ave	1984
Rite Aid Pharmacy	337 Central Ave	1996
DC Travel	341 Central/ 2 Lincoln St.	1970
Central Avenue Podiatry	342 Central Ave	1989
Fabco Shoes	343 Central Avenue	1992
Sole Dreams (Nino’s Shoes)	344 Central Ave	1980
Rent-A-Center	345 Central Ave	1992
Tommy’s Family Restaurant	349 Central Ave	1990
Discount Boutique	362B Central Ave	1992
DII Deals & Discounts (DEE DEE)	365 Central Ave	1992
Rainbow Shops	367 Central Ave	1992
Eye Contact Vision Center (Optical Vision)	368 Central Ave	1982
Bond Drugs	371 Central Ave	1939
Advanced Foot & Ankle	378 Central Avenue	1992
Gino’s Pizza & Restaurant	380-382 Central Ave	1976
Raquel’s Nail & Facials	382A Central Ave	1992
Baines Family Dental	386 Central Ave	1973
Blimpie Subs & Salads	397 Central Ave	1965
Podewitz Liquor & Deli	400 Central Ave	1975
Jade Garden	422 Central Ave	1992
Daisy Cleaners	424 Central Ave	1987
Salerno Salumeria	453 Central Ave	1982
Kari’s Signs	455 Central Ave	1990
Kay’s Spring Garden	473 Central Ave	1979
Anton Haddad Plumbing & Heating General Contractor	483 Central Ave	1978
J.C. Professional Agency	489 Central Ave	1993
Willie’s Liquors	501 Central Ave	1992

For a full Central Avenue business directory, visit JCHeights.com.