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DECEMBER 2014
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Marching band wraps up season of success
Future uncertain at Bottom Dollar location By aleXis schulZ
Bottom Dollar Food announced on Nov. 5 that it has plans to sell all store locations and leasing responsibilities to Aldi, Inc., leaving many residents concerned about what will become of the Bordentown location. Delhaize Group, the parent company of Bottom Dollar Food, stated that it would close all of its 66 store locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey by the end of this year as the company is stopping discount food retail and focusing on traditional supermarket operations. The 20,665-square-foot Bordentown store, located on Route 130, opened in April of 2012 filling the void of the Acme that had relocated to Dunns Mill Road several years earlier. The relocation left the convenient location vacant for several years. “We were just talking about it and we are very disappointed,” said Jennifer Krencicki, a Bordentown resident. “I loved having Bottom Dollar there because you can’t beat their prices on some things. People who work there are always very nice, and I’ve been hearing mixed reviews about Aldi.” The closing of all locations will displace 2,200 employees, according to Bottom Dollar Food’s website. All employees will be offered severance packSee FOOD, Page 6
By Brielle urciuoli
Alex Mastoris stands in the original room of Mastoris Diner-Restaurant. The restaurant is set to undergo a renovation in the next year, starting with the banquet room, which was completed in mid-November 2014. (Photo by Albert Rende.)
Big changes in store for Mastoris Iconic diner isn’t going anywhere, but its owners agree it’s time to freshen things up By leXie yearly When Mastoris first opened its doors as the Bordentown Bar and Grill, the simple establishment housed a dining room, bar and banquet room. More than 50 years later, the sprawling brick building has become a landmark at the crossroads of Route 130 and U.S. 206, its name familiar to
those who live far beyond the Bordentown streets where the eatery is located. The Mastoris family has kept a balance over the years of keeping their promise of quality food served in generous portions but also continuing to find new ways to reinvent the business to keep up with the times. And the restaurant has seen its fair share of changes. There was the year and a half it took to rebuild the restaurant after a fire destroyed the original building in 1967. About 20 years later, a renovation added three new rooms around the existing building, nearly doubling the size of the restaurant. In 2006, Mastoris introduced Alstarz
Bar and Grill across the parking lot. And most recently, hosting events and catering off-premise events have become a growing aspect of business. So in 2013, the Mastoris family started tossing around ideas about what new, big change would be in store this time around. “We want to make a big splash with Mastoris,” said Alex Mastoris, 71, who now runs the business along with two partners: his son, Nick Mastoris, and their friend Jimmy Manetas, who also owns the neighboring Town and Country Diner. The wheels started turning See MASTORIS, Page 8
After spending the past four months practicing more than six hours per week (and even more on competition days), the Bordentown Regional High School marching band just ended one of its most successful seasons yet— a season that earned the 35-student troupe multiple medals and awards around the state. BRHS junior Victoria Weiner, section leader of the upper woodwinds, noted that the marching band defies any negative school band stereotypes, and being a member requires the same amount of commitment as being on a sports team. “It’s not just us being in silly costumes and following the football team,” Weiner said. “We’re not out there twice a week for three hours because we want to follow the football team. We love to compete.” The band’s dedication can be seen through its rehearsal schedule. They meet for three hours after school on Monday and Wednesday, and on competition days—of which there were seven this season—they practice for hours beforehand, often showing up to the school as early as sunrise to tune up before hopping on the bus. Under the direction of band director Michael Montalto, the close-knit BRHS band, which See BAND, Page 12
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