Tavarez Distributors Expands in Passaic with NJEDA Support
From left: Passaic City Project Manager Joe Buga, Passaic City Urban Enterprise Zones Coordinator Soraya Stam, NJEDA VP of Policy and Communications Tai Cooper, Tavarez Distributors' Carlos Tavarez, Jr., NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan, NJEDA Small Business Liaison Ken Hart.
When Carlos Tavarez launched his grocery business as a solo entrepreneur in 2013, he delivered grocery items to a local market out of his truck. Today, Tavarez runs the business with his son Carlos Tavarez, Jr., and wholesales and retails grocery items (including Spanish specialty items) from Tavarez Distributors’ newly-leased facility in Passaic. With 11 employees, three trucks and a van, Tavarez Distributors also delivers groceries to customers as far south as Atlantic City.
Funding from the Small Business Lease Assistance Program has enabled Tavarez Distributors to move from a 7,000-square-foot facility on Market Street in Passaic to a 12,000-square-foot facility at 100 8th Street. The new location includes a larger refrigeration unit and more space for stock.
“In just a few short years we’ve grown exponentially and broadened our customer base, while still maintaining the personal touches that our clients have come to expect and enjoy,” Tavarez, Jr. said. “There are many logistical advantages to locating in Passaic, so we were thrilled to secure a larger facility within the city with support from the Small Business Lease Assistance Program.”
The Small Business Lease Assistance Program reimburses small businesses a portion of annual lease payments for new or additional space leased in designated commercial corridors in 13 cities around the state. In addition to Passaic, the program small businesses in the following 12 municipalities may be eligible — Atlantic City, Bridgeton, Camden, Jersey City, Millville, Mt. Holly, Paterson, Phillipsburg, Plainfield, Salem, Trenton, and Vineland.
“The Small Business Lease Assistance Program supports two important pillars of Governor Murphy’s vision for a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy — investing in people and creating vibrant communities,” NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan said. “The program helps to attract businesses that drive foot traffic in downtown neighborhoods, and frees up capital that can be used to hire more area residents, or engage local suppliers.”
Sullivan was among the NJEDA representatives to visit Tavarez Distributors, along with members of Passaic City Mayor Hector C. Lora’s staff. They were joined by NJEDA Small Business Liaison Ken Hart.
“We are proud to see thriving businesses like Tavarez Distributors, which has always called Passaic ‘home,’ committing to expanding in Passaic,” Mayor Lora said. “We appreciate the NJEDA’s Small Business Lease Assistance Program, as it continues to be an important tool in encouraging many types of enterprises to grow within our city.”
To learn more about NJEDA resources, call NJEDA Customer Care at 609-858-6767 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
