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Schools

Downtown Businesses Surge When School in Session

Student dollars help support local businesses in downtown Toms River

The start of a new school year signals a welcome change for parents as they send their progeny off in new sneakers and fresh haircuts.  Children prepare to be enlightened by thoughtfully planned lessons and most can’t wait to eat the tasty lunch time fare dished out by the hair netted cafeteria workers. Well maybe that’s taking it a bit too far.

The local businesses of the downtown Toms River area also welcome the change that the new school year brings. But more so it's the change found in the pockets of the young students who visit them at lunch time and after school. 

's students and staff looking to grab an off-campus bite to eat for lunch period or right before or after school have a tremendous impact on the downtown businesses, according to some downtown improvement district members.

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According to Jody Alessandrine, who recently took over as the Executive Director of Improvement District, “the students are the lifeblood of the downtown area from early September through mid June every year.”  During that time period “they are the lion's share of people found downtown at lunchtime.”

Alessandrine also said many of the local restaurants create special student menus, which attract the young consumers with reduced pricing for special meal deals. 

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For example, Jimmy Capone of said that they offer two slices of pizza and a soda for $4.00 as a student lunch special to court young customers with a deal.  He added, “they are basically getting a free soda.” 

Across the street from Capone’s is the which also created a special menu for students.  Restaurants such as these offer sandwiches and other items at reduced prices.

The student lunch rush seems to be carefully planned to avoid any clash with any jurors or crowds from the court house and township offices who may frequent the downtown area during lunch time. 

Toms River High School South’s lunch periods run from about 10 a.m. until around 12:15 p.m., and many after school programs end around 3 p.m. That's early enough to not interfere with normal business lunch hours, Alessandrine said.  There is “minimal overlap of jurors and students during lunch hours," Alessandrine said.

Jimmy Capone said that the local businesses rely heavily on the students.  “The kids come whether it is raining or snowing.  Some of the people down here would probably go out of business if the students didn’t come and eat lunch downtown.”

One of the goals of the Downtown Business Improvement District is to draw new businesses into the area.  Alessandrine said that the downtown businesses rely on the student’s presence and use it as a selling point to potential new business owners who inquire about setting up shop downtown.  The students and faculty provide incentive for a new business to decide to open in the downtown area.

The goal of the Downtown Business Improvement District is to get more retail space in the downtown area.  Using the nine month long influx of consumers is a great incentive for a potential business owner, Alessandrine said. 

Aside from special events held like the ice cream and chili festivals, Alessandrine said that they really are hoping to see residents visit downtown on a more regular basis because of all that it has to offer.  Alessandrine believes that the more that people use the downtown area, the more it will draw new businesses into the area.

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