Sometimes change is good. Sometimes it’s not so good.
Since starting as an executive chauffeur in October of 2013, some things have changed. Some changes have been good (more Wawas and Quick Cheks) and some have not been so good (disappearing diners).
The Death of Diners
My first “real” job was in 1977, as a dishwasher at the Barnegat Light “Mustache Bills” Diner. It was a tough job, but it helped me establish a strong work ethic. Sadly, it was recently put up for sale – so it will likely face the same fate as other diners I once frequented. A few of my favorites, that are no longer with us, include:
Malibu Diner in Hoboken, NJ
Union Diner in Union, NJ
Westside Diner in Denville, NJ
What caused these diners to reach this sad end? In a word: Wawa. All over New Jersey, Wawa convenience stores have been popping up, and nearby diners have been shutting down. Why am I sad to see so many diners kick the bucket?
They are open 24/7/365
Most items are reasonably priced
The food is prepared fast, while you wait
Wawas are useful in many ways, but – in my opinion – their coffee is not as good as diner coffee. Nor is the food. And sometimes, I just want to sit in a comfortable booth and enjoy a good cup of diner coffee, along with a hot meal.
Similarly, many Quick Chek stores are open 24/7, their food is generally reasonably priced and served fast… and they sell gas (and diesel) at fair prices. I prefer Quick Chek over Wawa for these reasons:
They have tables to enjoy your meal
Their rewards program is easy to use
I often fill up with gas at Quick Chek and accumulate points for free food, drinks and snacks. In fact, I’m a proud Emerald Club Member! Quick Chek has been around longer than Wawa, at least in NJ. Unlike the newer ones, the older Quick Cheks are smaller, do not have seating, do not sell gas, and are not open 24/7/365.
Covid Crushed Car Washes, Too
Before Covid-19 temporarily shut down the world in March 2020, many car washes and diners were open 24/7. Six years later, many of them still have reduced hours. Instead of 24/7 service, car washes often now close when the sun sets.
The Car Wash on 46th Street and 12th Avenue (AKA the Joe DiMaggio Highway) was open 24/7 before Covid hit. Once the economic damage was done, apparently there was no path to recovery. It remains closed.
Luckily, a new car wash chain has expanded their operations: Team Car Wash now has 10 locations in New Jersey. The remaining 24/7/365 NJ car washes are the coin-operated, do-it-yourself kind.
Some of My Favorite Things That are Now Gone
Dutch licorice (Klene Dobbel Zout)
Flex Shampoo and conditioner
Spaten Optimator dark German Beer
Maybe it’s a good thing the beer and licorice are no longer available. They are not exactly the healthiest products. But I miss them just the same.
One change that has been good for me personally is that the company I work for, Leros, has expanded to eight locations under the title of The Leros Transportation Group. I find that the quality of service has improved as a result, as the owners have employed professionals from additional companies and they now enjoy economies of scale, by sharing resources and enjoying improved purchasing power.
The moral of this Street Story is to accept change and adapt accordingly. Sometimes change is good and sometimes it’s not so good… so it helps to roll with the punches.
Robert Stovall is Training Manager, Mentor and Senior Executive Chauffeur for The Leros Transportation Group, with offices located in Valhalla, NY, Parsippany, NJ and Trevose, PA. Robert can be reached at rstovall@lerostg.com.
