By ED SALVAS
The former Two Guys department store in Neptune City has been vacant for longer than anyone can remember, but it’s about to come back to life with a new owner and new use.
Uniserv Advertising Inc.is taking over the 70,000-square-foot building in the Stop and Shop Center on Route 35. Company President and CEO Glen Suchecki said the deal should close this week, but renovation has been underway for some time.
Uniserv now occupies two buildings on West Sylvania Avenue in the borough and a warehouse on Memorial Drive. Suchecki looks forward to having all his 25 employees in one location.The new building will also allow Suchecki to add 15 additional workers as the company expands its operation.
The business was founded in 1972 by Suchecki’s father Joseph in the family’s home in Avon. Uniserv makes custom branded uniforms for national chains with at least 250 locations. One of its largest clients is Jersey Mike’s Subs, headquartered in Wall Township. Suchecki said they provide Jersey Mike’s with uniforms, promotional items, tables and chairs and lighting for its 1800 stores. Joseph Suchecki retired in 1997 and handed control to his son.
Many of Uniserv’s clients are located in the south and southwest U.S., especially Texas and Oklahoma. Names like A Plus convenience stores which are inside Sunoco service stations, Gatti’s Pizza and Laredo Tacos, also Expedia Travel and British Swim Schools. Over the years, Uniserv has added graphic design, screen printing and embroidery to its list of services.
In addition to the former Two Guys building, Suchecki said they have renovated an adjacent 30,000-square-foot building into a strip mall called Neptune City Plaza which will have nine stores, several have already signed leases.
The Uniserv development is a big deal for Neptune City, according to Mayor Andrew Wardell who said the building had been vacant for so long it was on the verge of becoming blighted. The last tenant, TFH Publications moved out several years ago. The borough Land Use Board approved the project last December and renovation began in March.
Shortly after renovation began, the coronavirus closed down most manufacturing but Suchecki said they were “lucky and blessed” as most of their clients are mainly take-out businesses and were able to stay open.
