a. Although we don’t accept any adverts, we have shared with you some businesses that we feel are special: For example, Hot Bagel Bakery and Green Brothers Coffee Roasters. Today we have two, and we have done business with both:
The first is ABL Appliance Brokers of Asbury Park. They have a wide variety of brands as well as a large showroom. They can offer the best prices around plus the Urban Enterprise Zone sales tax of 3.312%. You get personal attention unlike places such as Home Depot. Ask for Mark Paiva, Sr. Sales Consultant at 1001 Asbury Avenue. 732 807 7342 ext 104.
ABL showroom. Blogfinger photo. 2/22/
The second is Etelco Lighting at 414 Main Street, Avon-By-the-Sea, NJ 07717. 732 988 5267. They have been in business since 1959 and they are masters at restoring and repairing all sorts of electric lighting including expensive and complex antiques. We have an old chandelier which stopped working, so we brought it there. And we have done business with them in the past This shop is very unique.
Etelco owner operator Derek
When I was speaking to Derek, I recalled a rock group Derek and the Dominos. I told him I would give him a theme song, so here are Derek and the Dominos with their hit “Bell Bottom Blues.”
b. Years ago the Township used to hand out yearly DPW booklets which were very helpful as a reference source–keep it in the kitchen: yard waste, garbage, brush, bulk pickup and all sorts of other useful information.
Then it stopped, and I was told that it was a cost-cutting measure. But I couldn’t help wonder why they would cut costs by eliminating such a valuable resource for citizens.
Anyhow, the booklet is back, and it is much appreciated. Thank you DPW. This will save we the people from aggravation.
And the cover does cause me to suggest changing the Township’s slogan to: “Where Community, Business, Tourism and Developers Prosper.” And as for “Community” what do they mean by “Community?”
blogfinger.net 
I love these high fives for businesses!!
I used to go to Sears. tTey gave pretty good customer service. Then, they closed.
When I needed a refrigerator, I went to Home Depot. They were rushing around and actually acted like it was ‘too much trouble’ to take my order.
If I ever need a new appliance, I am going to ABL Appliance in Asbury Park!
Thank you for your reviews.
Keep them coming!
LikeLike
Thank you for the recommendations, Etelco rewired a beautiful antique French chandelier for me that I brought back from the renowned flea markets of Paris. Of course, the “Derek” of Derek and the Dominos was none other than Eric Clapton.
LikeLike
PG: You are correct. “What community”? There is none. No Main Street in Neptune, spread out territories: Midtown, Gables, Shark River, Ocean Grove…. pretty much impossible to be a “community”.
The Mother Ship offers plenty of recreation events (i.e. Neptune Day, Touch a Truck, Easter Egg Hunt), but attendance is apathetic at best. They may call it a “community,” but it doesn’t really meet Webster Dictionary’s synonym: A neighborhood.
We have many different neighborhoods in Neptune. It would be nice to call Neptune a “community” but the Twp. Committee needs to work a little harder to pull the “town” together for that.
LikeLike
Long Time: When I complain about Neptune “communities” I focus on the Ocean Grove “community of residents which consists of owners and renters”.
Michael Badger of the CMA often refers to “community” but he is about the religious community, mostly comprised of outsiders (tourists,) which populate the myriad of religious events (and still amazingly growing in numbers) that his group organizes all year long.
A real town community can choose to share its town with tourists (eg Bradley Beach and Belmar) but always placing the residents at the top of the priority list.
Tourism is also enhanced by the Chamber of Commercials which sucks the oxygen out of our town via their many weekend events that bring hundreds and thousands of outsiders.
Unfortunately, the residents (census over 3,000) who pay taxes (including renters) are ignored by the Township which has the audacity and the temerity and the chutzpah to refer to it as their “Historic District” while doing nothing to promote it as a historic district.
This town needs a Master Plan which is respected and enforced by all.
We need an organization which has as its priority, the best interests of the Grover residential community.
LikeLike
I agree on your recommendations.
We got a great deal at ABL on a stove and microwave. Kevin was very helpful and accommodating. The delivery went very smoothly and the workers were polite and professional.
I love Derek at the lamp store. He takes such good care of older lamps. I was so happy with his work.
LikeLike
PG: Yup. 100% insightful and correct
LikeLike