Jersey City News
The Heights Welcomes Grille Two74 to Central Avenue
Press Release by the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC)
March 25th, 2011 
Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, Council President Peter Brennan, Ward D (The Heights) Councilman William Gaughan, Jersey City Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC) CEO Steve Lipski, and members of the Economic Development staff were on hand to welcome a new family-friendly restaurant to the Heights area this morning. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Grille Two74 was held this morning at the restaurant, which is located at 274 Central Avenue.
“I have always been an advocate for small businesses as they truly are the engine that drives our economy,” Mayor Healy said. “In these difficult economic times the City of Jersey City is doing all we can to provide entrepreneurs with the technical assistance and access to financing that will help them get off on the right foot and succeed. This project is a prime example.”
The restaurant, Grille Two74, is the creation and dream-come-true of Anthony Vlachos and his fiancée Marissa Baljko. Last August, the couple --who work in the Heights area--saw that the 900 square-foot space had been vacated.
“We decided the space and location would be ideal for a restaurant that serves really good food in a great environment at an affordable price. It’s something the neighborhood needs,” Mr. Vlachos said.
The space at 274 Central Avenue had been a retail store and needed to be converted so that it would be suitable for preparing and serving food. Plans for the renovation were drawn up, and the couple went about seeking funding for their venture.
“Despite the fact that we both have excellent credit and collateral, the banks did not want to give us a loan as a start-up business, and without the loan we could not move ahead,” Vlachos stated. In discussing the situation with friends, the couple was referred to the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation.
Mr. Vlachos said that he and his fiancée Ms. Baljko met with Pete Olmeda, the Loan Officer at the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation. “Pete Olmeda and EDC CFO Cliff Adams really took us under their wing and took charge. They walked us through the process step-by-step,” Vlachos stated, noting that Grille Two74’s loan was approved in just about eight weeks. “It was just in time for us; without the assistance we received from the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation, this restaurant would not be opening,” he said.
Jersey City Economic Development Corporation CEO Steve Lipski said the agency’s Small Business Assistance Program is intended to help those small business or microbusiness owners who currently own, plan to own, or plan to relocate a small business or microbusiness in Jersey City and who have had problems securing credit or financing from traditional sources.
“We are committed to getting behind the small businesses in Jersey City and providing them with the advice and financing that will be key to their long-term success,” Mr. Lipski stated, noting that the JCEDC offers free, expert technical assistance on every aspect of owning and managing a business.
JCEDC Chief Financial Officer Cliff Adams said there are three types of loan programs offered through the agency: Small Business Refinance, Small Business Microloans and Small Business Expansion Loans. “Our Loan Officer will meet with small business owners to assess and determine their financial needs and assist in finding the financing option that works for them,” he stated.
Grille Two74 owners Vlachos and Baljko praise the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation for the assistance provided in getting their restaurant off the ground. “We did a lot of work to be able to offer the community the whole package when they come to eat here. The Jersey City Economic Development Corporation really helped make this possible,” he said.
Grille Two74 opened to the public this afternoon. The menu includes burgers, Philly cheese steaks, hot dogs, grilled chicken sandwiches, wraps, paninis and more.
Complete information about the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation’s Small Business Assistance and Loans Programs may be found online at www.jcedc.org.
Contact: Roger Jones of Jones and Associates Communications at (201)200-1080 or Jennifer Morrill of the Mayor's Office at (201)547-4836.