Happy Memorial Day!!

On this day In 1868, two women simultaneously placed two wreaths on the graves of a Confederate soldier and a Union soldier celebrating the very first Memorial Day.  A day to remember those who fought so bravely and who sacrificed their lives for an ideal that all men could be free, equal, and pursue happiness in their own way, how they saw fit.

Today, Memorial day is celebrated with friends, family, neighbors.  Community is what is important as each township or borough share the day with parades, fireworks, and cookouts.  It also is the unofficial start of the summer as many travel to the shore for the first time in the year.

Enjoy your time with your loved ones.  Play horseshoes, have a wiffle ball game, horse around in the pool, or on the beach.  Just remember to think about, and honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we could enjoy this way of life.

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

 

Home Improvement!

One of the best things about living in this area is the amount of qualified tradesmen who reside and work here.  You'll have a hard time finding someone who grew up in this area and doesn't have someone in their close group of friends or family who isn't a home improvement pro.

This area is home to a bunch of local and national developers, as well as those family businesses that have served our communities and have thrived over the decades.  We trust them, we count on them, we look to them for help and advice.

Some donate their time  and materials to local churches, charitable groups, schools, and communities to help build parks and picnic areas.  They own an integral piece of the community having built the homes and the facilities with their own hands.

What I love to see the most is how this industry has grown with the younger generations.  The two friends in high school who started out cutting lawns for extra money a few years ago now operate a successful landscaping business.  The ones who opted for vo-tech school and learned carpentry or mechanics and went on to work for an uncle or friend of the family doing oil changes or framing houses learning  a skill and eventually building their own business.

DIY has become it's own industry in the last decade mainly because of cable TV shows and the internet.  Folks like doing jobs on their own and gain more confidence from these two media outlets.  They take on jobs from planting trees to renovating a whole kitchen.  The real pros have adapted to this and have put together offerings to not only stay competitive, but to be there in times of trouble so that you, as the homeowner, don't risk your single largest investment.


Some of the guys I depend on specifically are guys I met through family, and will always call on when I have the need.  Jimmy Fazio is a plumber who grew up in this area and had raised a family of his own.  Jimmy is always available with at least sage advice before he gets there.  He's not one to make a house call, just because you called.  His experience is impressive and always gets the job done. 

Paul Pisano is Contractor from Norristown who has served this area for close to 50 years.  Now ran by his son Joe, they specialize in masonry and concrete.  The Pisano's recently rebuilt the stone wall for Holy Saviors Church in Norristown, and have worked hard for their reputation in  our area.

Since 1975 Dan Moore tree service has been servicing the area when it comes to storm damage, removal of trees, and complete tree care.  He has all the necessary equipment to handle the largest jobs and has been a fixture in the community.

These are local guys who I have used and have had experience with but there are so many more from Abington to Lansdale to Lafayette Hills.   If you know of others, leave a comment.  There are many companies out there that do a fantastic job and since this is what this blog is about, let people know.

Leave a comment or email me if you know of a company that does great work and you think they should have the spotlight on them.  This is what this space is for!

Pizza BABY!

It's time for my favorite subject.  Pizza!  I mean, c'mon.  If there is one thing this area has is awesome pizza.  The types differ as well.  See this is why no one ever has the best Pizza contest either because there isn't exactly one best pizza.  The tastes and textures and varieties are so different that it's really hard to pinpoint one Best Ever!

Well, I am going to give you mine.  Oddly enough they are all from this area as well.  See, when I was younger I traveled all over the US.  Yes, I have literally stepped foot in every state in the nation with the exception of Hawaii and Alaska.  And in all of those states I ate pizza.

I have arguments from friends about this as well.  Whether we are sitting around the poker table, or stopping home from playing golf, the question always is, Where's the best?  So I am going to give you some categories and then report with my favorites.

Sicilian Pie - This is my favorite category.  I love this thick square heavy slice of pizza.  I think it goes back to the days of growing up where dad would take me to work with him in the summers and we would hit Via Venetos for a slice of Sicilian at lunch.  That and an RC cola (still my favorite cola!).  Padrinos in the  Fairview Village Shopping Center has a very good Sicilian as well and these two differ very much in taste and texture.  Padrinos is a little lighter and fluffier while Venetos is a heavier, meatier texture to it.  Pizza Mia also has an awesome pie and regardless of how huge their menu is, I always get the Sicilian when I am there.  Usually as an appetizer :)

Neopolitan - This one is your standard triangle slice of heaven.  So many different ways to go with this pie.  extra cheese, meat, you have buffalo chicken, bbq chicken, cheese steak pizza, white pizza, Hawaiian pizza, etc.,  but for this one I am going straight plain neo pie.  Tony and Joes in Conshohocken makes a real nice one.  The sauce is just right, the dough is tender, and it's always cooked to perfection.  Main St pizza has been a real hit lately in the neighborhoods.  With two locations they deliver to a wide area and their pies are very good.  I like their sauce as well and the slices are big.  Angelo's in King of Prussia is another Gem.  Seriously this place is as close to the benchmark as you get. The slice just has that "thing" to it.  That little something that tells you it's more than just sustenance.  It's more than just a snack.

Red Top Pizza - If you don't know what a red top pizza is or haven't taste it...  I want you to stop what you are doing, get in your car, and drive to either East Norriton or Bridgeport now.  Not tomorrow, not after work, NOW!  A red top pizza is a pie that is built like  a regular pizza, only at the end they drizzle on this incredibly dark, sweet sauce, usually concentrically from the center and it is out of this world. Charlies is in East Norriton and Franzone's has a location in Bridgeport.   Both are ridiculous.

My winners are real easy as well.  for Sicilian I'm going with Via Venetos.  Call it nostalgia.  Nah It's the benchmark for all Sicilian pies across the country.  For the best neopolitan slice I'm going with Angelo's.  Seriously, it's that good.  For the best red top  - I can't really say.  It's a toss up in my book.  They both have their own distinct flavor and honestly, it's too close to call.

Now, this is all about me.  What I like the best.  Leave your comments with your own. Add who you want, and suggest others.  State your case, and I'll head out and give it a critique.  Chances are I've already been there, but it would be nice to have an official excuse!

Gift cards aren't just for Home Depot anymore!

Small business has several barriers when it comes to competition.  Some are local companies or shops that cater to a very small geographic area.  After all, there can only be so many dry cleaners competing for the limited number of shirts produced by the demographics.

Another is larger competitors.  For one, national chains can operate cheaper because of their size.  A foot print of 1,000 stores provides them with the buying power to reduce costs to almost half of what the small business man is expecting to pay for supplies.  Another is the use of technology.  Sometimes the small business person just can't compete with the convenience and other advantages that a larger store has in terms of automation, marketing, and logistics.

One of those advantages is the use of gift cards.  Now, in today's technological climate, it may seem real easy for any sandwich shop or pizzeria or dress shop or even auto detailer to run out to their bank or credit card provider and sign up for that special feature of being able to sell gift cards to their customers.  After all, what better way to up sell, or re-sell services to those who don't even know they need it yet.  Gift cards have come a very long way.  You can go to one of those big chain stores and see a wall full of gift cards from all of your favorite places.  Home Depot, Applebee's, TGI Friday's, Barnes and Noble, etc.

The fact that consumers have access to "shopping" and spending money at these stores WHILE in a Walmart is an advantage alone.  Aside from having the convenience to do so, it's also free advertising.   To a small business owner trying to compete with those giants it seems a task almost insurmountable.

It's tempting as a consumer to just grab a card heading to the check out line because it is that convenient.  I've done it more than a few times while pressed for time and ideas  (think EVERY single Christmas Eve :) ).

What can the small business owner do then to compete.  Having the ability to offer  a card is one thing, and not that difficult to do.  Again, any credit card processor can provide ANY merchant that service.  However, when you consider the costs of the service, the plastic itself, and the actual marketing of the campaign, it can be overwhelming and down right cost prohibitive to the business.

Well along comes W3Giftcards.  W3 is the product of Brad Oyler and his gang of tech junkies who started out building websites and databases.  "We started out a small company just building websites for local businesses.  I quickly realized that they needed so much more in terms of help in marketing and utilizing technology to do so.  Out of that spawned W3Giftcards and we have a vision to not only offer the service, but to help facilitate the marketing for the businesses that use it." said Brad.

The service is an end to end turn key solution, and once it's up, the client can offer consumers the ability to purchase gift cards directly off of their site.  The consumer can even choose different card designs to personalize their gift.  They also provide a Facebook application where you can sell your cards directly off of your Facebook group or fan page so that clients can optimize their marketing efforts and maximize their sales.

From the merchants side, the product is efficient to use in that it allows you to access all of your orders.  You can track sales, those that have been redeemed, and where you get the most traction.   There is also a mobile phone app so that clients can validate and redeem gift cards in case there is no computer or internet connection (think pizza delivery drivers!)

Aside from the product itself, W3 has in place a marketing program to help the client maximize the delivery of the cards into the consumers hands.  Guerrilla Marketing techniques are employed and they will show you how to best market the product so you can get as many in the hands of consumers as possible.  The cost for this service?  How about Zero!  Zilch!  Setting up is free, and W3 doesn't make any money until you start selling cards.  They take a transaction fee per card and is considerably less than your standard bank card.

What excites me the most about these guys is that they themselves are local.  They understand the local economy, and the local community.  For consumers, it's another convenience to them allowing for easy purchases to their favorite local retailers.

For more info on W3Giftcards contact bradoyler@gmail.com 

Summer Kick-off!

With Memorial Day Festivities kicking off this coming weekend, I thought it would be nice to write about some memories.  Having grown up in this area I can be pretty confident that some of you share those same memories, or at least some semblance of them. 

I specifically remember mom and dad hitting up Suburbia Seafood in Bridgeport for some clams, shrimp, shark or tuna steaks, and in really good years, lobster!  We would also every so often grab a bushel of crabs if we had everyone coming.  In the back yard my older brother would hook up some really cool cooking stations to handle the seafood steaming and grilling and we would have a blast just sitting around playing and talking while he cooked.

Dad would also head over to Reds Barbones for the kegs (both miller and Birch Beer) and other cases of soda (usually A-Treat) in returnable bottles.  I was always excited to bring the cases back and put them up on the steel rollers and slide them into the back.

We'd get hot dogs and hamburgers from DiRenzo's and Mr. D was always there to throw some candy at us.  The rolls and lunch meat and Tomato Pie always came from Corropolese and I can recall the amount of times my dad looked at his watch to be sure to time the arrival at Corropolese just right as to miss the crowd (there were set times to pick up your pies!), yet he never got it right.  


See back then, everything could be had from a local purveyor specialized in what they do..  Today you think of the big supermarket chains, or you think of Walmart, Target, or some other huge mass-merch store (the industry term for that specific channel of stores).

The funny thing is...  Every one of those locations I mentioned above still exist today (with the exception of DiRenzo's).  You can still go and shop at these locations that are so rich in our communities history. 

So this coming weekend, look towards those local businesses for all your needs.  The food, the decorations, the drinks, the desserts.  You might just start creating more memories of your own.

Technology and Small Business

I don't know, I'm an old head and always thought about hardware when people spoke of technology.  Today however, the word, or as it seems to be used more often as, the phrase is indicative of software.  More to the point, opportunity in such things as social media, streaming video, and podcasts.

I recently spoke to Brad Oyler, owner of W3portals and W3giftcards, based out of Phoenixville about today's local business owners and their take on technology.  "In 2000 everybody wanted a website. That's how we started the commpany and that's how we grew.  Today, everyone wants a Facebook page because it's what's on everyones minds and lips.  The issue for small business owners is that they rarely get how to utilize it in a productive manner."

Oyler makes a great point.  Social Media can be a very succesful marketing tool, especially for local businesses.  The local business person relies heavily on word of mouth advertising.  Think about 20 years ago...  I used to bring my suits to Nick the Tailor down on Markley St across from Logan Sq shopping center.  The only way I knew about Nick was through my neighbors.  Sure, I would see his store front everytime I passed but even back then the buildings looked like houses and I really got the sense that Nick didn't want to be bothered.  I was one person who got a reccomendation from a friend via a live conversation. After being extremely satisfied I probably told another 10 friends over the course of the year.

Now, according to Facebook, the average user has 130 friends, and those users create 70 pieces of content a month.  Most of that content are status updates which could be as simple as "YAY! I'm happy!" or, "does anyone know where I can get a pair of pants altered quickly?!?!?!?  Wedding this sat!"

If Nick had a Facebook page he is now connected and immediately outsourced to not just the 130 friends of the one person who "liked" his page, but all of the friends that THOSE 130 friends have becasue yo can see your friends activity!  So what took Nick about a year to get 10 referals from me would get him possibly thousands in one status update that someone else likes!  Oh and the best part...  It's free!

Facebook isn't your only option either.  Twitter has become increasingly popular as people become more dependant on their mobile devices.  Being on the go and having the ability to access the web, email and such is great technology and allows for a better way of life (some would argue more complex, but that's another post).  Twitter allows you to open and account and in 75 characters or less tell everyone about what you are doing.  How that works is people "follow" you and recieve all of your messages as you put them out there.

Twitter is a very useful tool for small business.  You can communicate and broadcast any information you like to your followers.  If you sell hoagies and are having a slow day and want some more traffic, send out a tweet letting everyone know that you are having a special tonight! Free bag of chips, or half off 4 sandwiches or more, or whatever value prop you can think of.  Things like these were never available before because the lack of ability to communicate in an efficient manner didn't exist.  Today, it does and there should be no excuse for not at least researching the capabilities and opportunities it offers as a marketing tool.

The strains on the local business person are many.  Time, budget, resources, and even know how are stressed at every corner.  There is help out there.  Utilizing facebook is easy and fun.  It may be time consuming and as it gets more popular there are rules that are going to be implemented, but the use of this "technology" (there's that PHRASE again) is tatamount to having been able to hire a corporate marketing company to run a $10,000 ad campaign 15 years ago.

Do your research, find out about what works, and get those fan pages and twitter accounts up.  It will be the most effiecient marketing campaign you have ever done and, when done correctly and utilized to it's fullest, offer the best ROI you will have ever received.

If you have any questions on how to best utilize Facebook or Twitter, go speak to a teenager or college student.  This demographic know the language and understand how it works.  If you still have questions...  email me or leave a comment here.

Jim@riverchasers.com
 

Blooming Affairs Florists is a local favorite!

This story is truly what epitomizes the spirit of the local business person.  How they come to be and how they achieve success.  More importantly, the fact that what defines success is different for everyone.

I remember way back when working at an office, running a sales force and reading the Times Herald.  Every so often they publish a story on the front page of the business section a story about a new business that has opened up locally.  What impressed me was the fact that the owner was a very young woman who had recently graduated from high school and was embarking on her dreams to own a floral store.

The store was called Blooming Affairs and was opened on Sterigere St. in Norristown.  I had a need for some flowers so I stopped there and was pleasantly surprised at the layout of the store and what type of inventory they had for such a small shop.

Well fast forward 9 years later and they're still here.  Plugging away with many different offerings to the community in dealing with everything from birthday parties to weddings.  Their packages are exquisite and are locally known as professional and quick.  Nothing on the service end of the business is ever taken lightly and they continually go out of their way to understand the needs of their customers.  Whether it's a funeral, a new born, a graduation party or a prom, they have solutions, both trendy and formal to fit every customers desires.

They also offer fruit, candy and gourmet baskets for all occasions.  Whatever it is you need, they will find a solution.  You can call them directly for a consultation and the staff is not only friendly, but expert in their field.  They know from experience what works and what doesn't.  Give them a call the next time you are thinking of doing something nice for that special someone.  You'll be surprised how nice your message will come across!

Blooming Affairs Florists
803 Sterigere Street
Norristown, PA 19401
(610) 272-6088

Remember Norristown Sporting Goods?

When I grew up Norristown Sporting goods, then located on Marshall St. was the place to go for all things sporting goods.  Whenever we needed pads for football, or sneakers for the basketball team, Norristown Sporting goods is where we went.

Today, what used to be known as Norristown Sporting Goods is still owned and operated by the original founder.   Joe Matozza and his family run Sneaker World II.  Located in the Northtowne Shopping Center in East Norriton it's still the thriving family business as it was 30 years ago.  Instead of sporting goods however, they offer a full line of athletic and casual footwear as well as some athletic apparel and accessories.  They also have recently started offering a womens dress line of shoes as well.  "what we carry is based off of our long term experience within this community and what we feel the needs are, and also based on the feedback we get from our customers", said Joe jr. 

I know I've been taking my kids there for sneakers since they were born and with the selection and service they offer, why wouldn't I.  This business truly personifies what it is to be a local business.  They live here, their kids grew up here, went to school here and now help out with the running the store.  It's truly a feel good story.

They have also branched out into doing screen printing and embroidery for team and business uniforms.  You can get apparel made up for family reunions and so on.  It's a nice piece of business to have that supplements their retail location and they do an excellent job. 

Visit their website and take a look.  Then stop in and check out the store itself.  You won't be disappointed.

Buyin local

 I was in Brooklyn yesterday for a meeting with a technology company relevant to my own small business and I notice something on the streets and in the community while I was waiting for the meeting.  Almost every single business was independently owned and very product specific.

There was a produce business, and meat market, an independent coffee house and a privately owned electronics store.  It was surreal to think that these folks were there by demand and really by proximity to where the consumers lived.  The population helps.  Thousands of folks within blocks of where these businesses were located.  The geography also helped prevent national chains from even existing,  with most national chains requiring thousands of square footage for their store footprints.

So I thought about our community and the issues small business owners face in our area.  For one, almost everyone has to drive to get to their place of business.  The biggest difference for small business owners in the suburbs as opposed to those in an urban setting is the fact that their business must be a destination.  They must be good enough at marketing and their business must create a niche in order to grab the attention of the consumer and entice them to drive past a national chain or larger chain to get them to come to their store.  In the city, the produce market is right there.  the meat market is right there. 

In Norristown, Venezia's Meat Market is a good example of having created a business that is a destination purchase.  I live in East Norriton.  Within 2 miles I can go to Giant, Genuardi's, or Shoprite for my all of my household grocery items.  Walmart is right there as well.  These "super" markets make it very convenient to go grab grocerys, cleaning products, dry goods, etc all in one place.  Most likely while spending the time to do that, I can also buy my chicken, my hamburger, my steaks, etc.

But what escapes most, is the fact that if I drove another mile, I could go get my meats from a local business like Venezia's, get much better quality and pay a lesser price, and I do.  I also go to Plymouth produce for my fruits and vegetables which, again, is another stop, but in the grand scheme of things, is still a better value.  Plymouth Produce is more than just a produce stand as well.  They have ethnic products, hard to find vegetables, spices galore (and economic as well) and a full deli counter where I usually get all of my lunch meat.

Does this really put me out?  Am I really wasting the time when all of this could be accomplished in one stop elsewhere?  The answer for me is no.  Look, I have 4 kids, and at times seems like 100 different activities to cart them off to.  Lacrosse, dance, karate, school!  The fact that I know I am getting better value, better quality and supporting the LOCAL economy is far more important to me than spending an extra 15 minutes getting to these extra places. 

I've heard the argument that these large stores do their part as well in offering employment and by adding to the tax base of the township or community in which they reside.  I don't know how accurate this employment statistic is for all surrounding chains, but in King of Prussia, the mall employee base is almost 70% Philadelphia residents who bus in to work in King of Prussia.  That's a huge number and points to the fact that these larger retail places aren't really helping out our local economy in terms of job placement.

I'm not saying to boycott the larger chains.  Of course they hold value and are good for the local economy and cater to how we now live our lives.  Convenience is a great thing.  I'm just here to point out that local business is what this country was built on and we should all do our part in searching out those that have acted on their dreams, or are working to preserve their families heritage and have sacrificed to maintain our communities with their labor and expertise.  This is also about pointing out what you may be missing.  Better products, better service and an overall knowledge that your dollars are going right back into the local economy.

Black Cat Cigars makes it easy!

Black Cat Cigars has been in the area for over a year.  Located right across from the Genuardis shopping center in East Norriton, they cater to the Cigar aficionado and casual user.  Their location is simple yet elegant and very east to get too.

The owners are father (Michael) and son (Sam) and have been in the cigar business for over 19 years.  "We started in downtown Philadelphia but chose to move closer to home."  Black Cat offers a huge selection of premium cigars at a discount and carry's almost every major brand.  From Arturo Fuentes to CAO to their own Black Cat brand there is never a shortage of options.

Their base of operations is in East Norriton, and they do a good business there, but the bulk of their business comes from their online store.  In addition to the cigars they also sell accessories such as lighters and humidors, lighters, flasks, and everything else you can think of to enjoy the finer things in life.  They also offer premium shaving products, knives, Black Cat porcelain, and Thomas Kinkade night lights.

Their location is also beautifully set up with leather couches, tv's, a fireplace, and just an over all feel of being comfortable while enjoying a cigar.  The walk in humidor is jam packed with many brands and styles of cigars never leaving the customer without options.

So, if you are in the mood for a good cigar, or just looking to sit down, watch some TV or enjoy the company of some serious cigar connoisseurs, Black Cat is your spot.

you can visit them at: 

46 W. Germantown Pike, East Norriton PA
Phone: 484-322-0800

  

Olympia PIzza - 30 minutes or less never tasted so good!

If you live in the area then you certainly know about Olympia Pizza.  Located on Germantown Pk in East Norriton, Olympia offers a full menu of all things tasty.

From their distinctive Greek style pizza to their sandwiches and platters including greek specialties such as gyros, salads, and pasta dishes, you are never short of options.

For the people at Olympia, it's all about satisfaction.  They strive for quality and convenience.   Their delivery service is unmatched.  The food always arrives hot and is never longer than 30 minutes.  The owners take pride in customer satisfaction and request a call directly to them if the service or product is anything less than satisfactory.  You can even order directly through their website which for all intents and purposes has one function...  convenience.

Olympia employs more than 10 delivery drivers and a kitchen and service staff of twice that showing that by patronizing local business they can add to the job base of the community.  Their food is spectacular and their service is unmatched.  Give them a try if you haven't already.


Olympia Pizzeria
209 W Germantown Pike
E Norriton, PA 19401
Tel: 610-279-5881

Rainbow Arts and Crafts is more than Arts and Crafts!

Rainbow Arts and Crafts have been the areas provider for art supplies since 1981.  If you've driven up Germantown Pk. at all you've noticed their billboard and store.  It's almost a landmark if anyone is giving directions from the west to North Whales Rd.

I frequented the store myself on several occasions as my daughters were taking art classes or had school projects, but after a recent visit, I was surprised to see that they offer more than just art supplies and classes.

I spoke with Wayne the owner and he explained to me that birthday parties are a big piece of what they offer the community.  "No one really ever sees the second half of this building", as he walked me back to where they have birthday parties and such.  The room is perfectly set up to cater to all the kids and be sure everyone is learning and participating in every way.

In addition to the parties and the supplies and the classes, Rainbow is also known for the picture framing.  They have one of the most comprehensive framing departments that I"ve seen in the area and Wayne showed me something else that I never even knew existed.  Flat screen TV's being hung on the walls can be a bit of an eyesore when they are not turned on.  Wayne came up with a solution and now provides picture frames custom crafted for those TV's.

This one comes equipped with an automatic oil painting that rolls up with the press of a button hiding the entire TV when not in use.  It is amazing to me what we miss about our local business people and what they have to offer.  Don't just stop in for something you need.  Talk to them and find out what else they offer. 


You can visit Rainbow at 521 West Germantown Pk.  Norristown, PA 19403 610-275-5110
or join their Facebook page

Peppers Italian Restaurant and Sports Bar

In King of Prussia there are many places to dine, hang out, have a few drinks, and just chill with some friends.  The mall offers a ton of national chain restaurants and ethnic places.  Peppers was born out of the idea to provide a family tradition of making Italian food and offering up their best to the community.

In 1994 they opened their doors in the Valley forge shopping center to great anticipation from friends and family.  Both owners, Frank Veramonti and Sal Bello have succeeded in creating their vision.  In fact it was so successful that they outgrew their original place of business and moved across the center to an even bigger place.  One they have called home for over 7 years now.

Peppers is unique in the sense that they have everything wrapped up into one little package.  A casual dining experience combined with a sports bar in the back that doesn't intrude with those looking for a quiet meal.  They offer all types of entertainment from poker to live bands.  Their food is regarded among the community as the best in the area and offer everything from sandwiches to full authentic Italian dishes.

It is truly a fun place with a great atmosphere and people from all over coming to enjoy the facilities among awesome food, drink, and entertainment.  Stop by and give them a shot.  Frank and Sal do their best to support the community as well by sponsoring local ball teams and other charitable endeavors.  It's all about the community!

They are located at   239 Town Center Rd.  King of Prussia, PA 19406
 tel: 610-265-2416

Become a fan on facebook for up to date info on specials and entertainment!

Ahhhhh ... The Zep!

The Zep is a Norristown tradition.  Ask anyone from the area about a zep and you'll get an answer about how a simple sandwich was engineered into one of the great delicacies of the area.  Businesses have been built around one sandwich.  There are many places you can get a zep in the area.  Most pizza and sandwich shops will offer you one on their menu.  But there are few who have had the ability to master a zep.

So, what is a zep?.  Simply stated, it's cooked salami, provolone cheese, oil, oregano, tomatoes, and onion on a roll.  That's it.  That's all there is to it.

How they have come to be mastered is a story in and of itself.  There are facebook pages dedicated to Zeps.  There is history, and of course, there are local businesses that have been built on this sandwich alone.  Two that specifically come to mind (and are my favorite) are Eve's and Lou's.  The question is which do you prefer?  Which is better?  This has been a heated debate amongst Norristownians forever.  The differences are minute, but the tastes are extremely varied.

Eve's has a very distinct bread that they use.  I believe they get it from the Conshohocken bakery, delivered every day.  Lou's uses thinner onions and a different oil mix.  To this day I still haven't figured out which one is better, but it's evident that there are clear sides to this matter.

There has also been  a third contender recently in the Zep wars...  Sessano's located in the Studio Square Shopping Center off of Markley st also boasts a zep that has recently caught the eye of many in the area.  Their oil/ vinegar mix adds a slightly different touch of taste that brings the people back.

So if you haven't tried one of these sandwiches, run... don't walk to the nearest purveyor.  You are missing out.  If you have, leave a comment and argue away to which is the best and why!

Montco is Open for Business!

Look everywhere... Anything you need is available in a multitude of local businesses throughout our area. Montgomery County has plenty of hard working people who know their passion and make the ultimate sacrifice of running their own business.

With each small business comes pride in accomplishing their dreams. They carry the area on their back providing goods and services for everyone. They compete against corporate giants, and they provide more than just those products and services. They contribute to a job base, quality products, and genuine know how and expertise.

They do this knowing that each and every day depends on their efforts, their guidance, and their execution. We as consumers and community members should help them. When you shop local you not only support the local business person, you support the community.

This blog is to showcase those businesses in our area that shine in their commitment to that community.