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PATERSON — The owner of a Clifton restaurant where the menu features Middle Eastern smoked meats emerged as the high bidder on Tuesday to buy the iconic Libby’s Lunch hot dogs property at Paterson’s Great Falls, officials said.

In an online auction, Sal Washah outbid several other restaurant businesses by making a commitment to spend $850,000 to acquire the Libby’s property from the city of Paterson, officials said.

Mayor Andre Sayegh was jubilant over the outcome of the auction, conducted by Max Spann Real Estate, for a property assessed at $525,000.

Story continues after photo gallery.

“Once again, we exceeded expectations,” the mayor said of the high bid. “We want to make Paterson a destination for foodies and attract more visitors to the Great Falls.”

Washah said he plans to demolish the Libby’s structure and construct a new three- or four-story business overlooking the Passaic River and Great Falls. It would include a cafe with pastries as well as restaurant dining, including sandwiches and smoked meats “with a Middle Eastern touch.”

“It will be a place anybody can bring his spouse or his family,” said Washah, a retired professor from the New Jersey Institute of Technology who is part-owner of Kanoon on Hazel Street in Clifton.

Washah said he hopes to open his new business in six months.

“It’s a high price,” he said of his $850,000 bid, “but I wanted it very bad.”

Libby’s, which opened in 1936, shut down in 2020 amid the pandemic. City officials and community leaders disagreed over whether the city should sell a property that some described as a gold mine.

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'Not in favor of selling your assets'

Councilman Michael Jackson, Sayegh’s primary critic, said Paterson got shortchanged in the auction.

“Number one, I’m not in favor of selling off your assets,” Jackson said. “Number two, it’s going to become much more valuable when the Falls is fully done.”

Even longtime Sayegh supporter Michael Symonds said selling Libby’s was “shortsighted” because of the financial potential of opening a restaurant at the site as development grows around the Great Falls.

During the past year, Paterson has reopened Hinchliffe Stadium, on the other side of the river, and unveiled a new museum at the historic ballpark. The city is finishing work on a major expansion of the national park, which officials said would open in the next few months. Sayegh is also looking to build a state-of-the-art visitor center in the Overlook section of the park.

Second Ward Councilman Shahin Khalique, who represents the district where Libby’s is, said the auction price was higher than expected.

“It goes to show that Paterson is in growth mode, and more investors want to be a part of the progress,” Khalique said.

The sale still needs approval from the City Council before it becomes final. Sayegh said he would get that vote to the council as soon as possible.

Specializing in processing customer-owned goods for NYC hotels, Star Laundry has seen its workforce surge from 50 to 400 employees. Now, plans are underway to add 150 more staff by merging two facilities.

Specializing in processing customer-owned goods for NYC hotels, Star Laundry has seen its workforce surge from 50 to 400 employees. Now, plans are underway to add 150 more staff by merging two facilities.Photo Credit: Courtesy of Star Laundry

Specializing in processing customer-owned goods for NYC hotels, Star Laundry has seen its workforce surge from 50 to 400 employees. Now, plans are underway to add 150 more staff by merging two facilities.Photo Credit: Courtesy of Star Laundry

Specializing in processing customer-owned goods for NYC hotels, Star Laundry has seen its workforce surge from 50 to 400 employees. Now, plans are underway to add 150 more staff by merging two facilities.Photo Credit: Courtesy of Star Laundry

Specializing in processing customer-owned goods for NYC hotels, Star Laundry has seen its workforce surge from 50 to 400 employees. Now, plans are underway to add 150 more staff by merging two facilities.Photo Credit: Courtesy of Star Laundry

Specializing in processing customer-owned goods for NYC hotels, Star Laundry has seen its workforce surge from 50 to 400 employees. Now, plans are underway to add 150 more staff by merging two facilities.Photo Credit: Courtesy of Star Laundry

By Gabriella Dragone

PublishedApril 30, 2024 at 10:45 AM

PATERSON, NJ - Star Laundry, located in Paterson's Fourth Ward, isn't your average laundry service. Under the leadership of President Yaakoub Hijazi, it's become a vital part of the city's economy and a pillar of community support.

"The journey of Star Laundry has been one of growth and opportunity," Hijazi told TAPinto Paterson. "Since taking the helm in 2011, we've witnessed remarkable progress, both in terms of our workforce and our commitment to serving our community."

Specializing in processing customer-owned goods for NYC hotels, Star Laundry has seen its workforce surge from 50 to 400 employees. Now, plans are underway to add 150 more staff by merging two facilities.

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"Paterson has been instrumental in our success story," Hijazi said. "The city's labor force and pro-employer environment have provided us with the ideal platform for growth. We're proud to be part of this vibrant community."

According to Hijazi, unlike bustling metropolitan areas like New York City and Brooklyn, Paterson offers a unique advantage with its ease of access and supportive local government.

With its unionized workforce, Star Laundry provides healthcare and advancement opportunities for roles like drivers, feeders, packers, and office staff. Many employees are from Paterson, some living in Charles Florio's nearby apartment buildings, indicative, Hijazi said, of the type of synergies that exist among those seeking to chart Paterson's economic future.

They also take safety seriously, Hijazi said, pointing out several mechanisms in place to prevent injuries, and describing other protocols, such as weekly safety meetings, so that employees understand safety comes first.

“Star Laundry represents a local business success story for the City of Paterson. Not only do they employ hundreds of Patersonians, they are also choosing to expand at their current location—creating an additional 150 local jobs and helping to further stabilize the area," Mayor Andre Sayegh said, wishing the company continued success.

Looking ahead, Star Laundry's decision to grow by 150 jobs is driven by a positive economic outlook for Paterson and the broader hospitality industry. As hospitality rebounds post-COVID, the company's expansion plans include venturing into new markets outside of New Jersey.

"As we look to the future, our goal is to not only expand our operations but also to contribute positively to the communities we serve," Hijazi said. "We're committed to creating a workplace that fosters growth, diversity, and inclusivity, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive."

Beyond job creation, Star Laundry invests in employee well-being, including by hosting family days and planning the development of on-site amenities like laundromats, delis, and gyms.

Star Laundry isn't just a business, Hijazi said, it's a force for change, driving growth, empowerment, and inclusion in Paterson and beyond.

3-minute read

Paterson Press

PATERSON — The new museum at Hinchliffe Stadium opened to visitors on Thursday morning in a ceremony celebrating the city's historic legacy.

Among the attendees was Destine’e Petit, a 12th grader at Paterson’s Rosa L. Parks School of Fine and Performing Arts. She was part of the school choir that sang the national anthem at the start of the museum ribbon-cutting event and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at the conclusion.

“It’s like a breath of fresh air,” the teenager said of the museum. “It puts a positive take on Paterson instead of all the negativity.”

Her choir director, John Chapman, saw an opportunity for a teachable moment as he pointed at a museum display panel that talked about a concert by Kool & the Gang at Hinchliffe, which was organized by a Paterson teen in the 1970s.

Chapman told his student that she was no different from the youth who set up the show by the world-famous band. “You can do anything,” Chapman told Destine’e, “if you want to do it and put in the work.”

Hinchliffe a national landmark

That advice echoed the theme of many of the speeches on Thursday, as officials talked about Hinchliffe’s national landmark status for being one of two stadiums still standing from the Negro Leagues baseball era of the mid-20th century. The ballpark — which had been closed for 26 years — reopened in 2023 as part of a $108 million project that includes the new museum.

Exhibits include a look at the life of Larry Doby, a graduate of Paterson's Eastside High School and baseball Hall of Famer; one on Hinchliffe's construction during the Great Depression in 1932, and a virtual look at the era of midget car racing at the stadium.

Montclair State University President Jonathan Koppell talked about Charles Muth, an alum who made a $5 million donation for the museum, noting that Muth had attended School 5, across the street from Hinchliffe. Paterson teachers can point to Muth's name on the museum to inspire their students, Koppell said.

“That guy, he was sitting in the very classroom where you are today,” Koppell said.

Montclair State officials said the college has spent about $228,000 of Muth’s gift so far on staff salaries and operating costs for the museum, including the hiring of its director, Jessica Bush.

For the next few weeks, the museum will be open on an appointment basis only, Bush said. When the New Jersey Jackals start their season in May, the museum will be open to ticket holders an hour before game time, Bush said. Eventually, it will have regular visiting hours for the public, she said.

Koppell predicted that as word spreads about the new museum, people with mementos from Hinchliffe’s heyday will come forth with an “outpouring” of things “they’ve been storing in their basements.”

Meanwhile, construction has stalled on the food court on the first floor of the museum building. There’s been no sign of work proceeding on that project for months. Officials said they were unsure when the food court would open.

4-minute read

PATERSON — Almost 1,000 students who speak limited English began attending Paterson Public Schools during the current academic year, according to enrollment reports released last week.

The district went from having 6,395 students designated as Limited English Proficient, or LEP, for 2022-23 to 7,384 for 2023-24, according to the enrollment reports. That’s an increase of about 15.5%, or 989 students.

The LEP students make up about 26% of the district’s total enrollment of 28,270. In 2022-23, the LEP children amounted to 23% of the entire district.

The LEP designation includes students who mainly speak Bangladeshi, Arabic and Turkish. The school enrollment report did not provide a breakdown of students’ main languages. But officials said they believe the majority of the new 989 LEP students are Spanish-speaking.

“Paterson has always been an immigrant city,” said Board of Education President Manny Martinez.

What did officials say?

District administration officials did not immediately provide answers when asked Friday what steps they took to handle the surge in non-English speakers. The district for almost 10 years has operated a “Newcomers” program for recent immigrants, but its enrollment is slightly more than 200 students.

Many other schools throughout the city offer classes for children categorized as English Language Learners, or ELL. Administration officials have not said whether they needed to increase funding for the LEP program, expand the number of classes for ELL students or hire additional bilingual teachers.

The surge in the LEP enrollment was not a topic of any extensive discussions at school board meetings during the 2023-24 year.

“I think we were able to absorb many of these students in the current programs,” said Martinez.

The enrollment reports show that 634 of the additional LEP students were in grades kindergarten through 8. That’s more students than the number currently attending almost every one of Paterson's 34 elementary schools.

“We’re going to have to put more resources into programs to educate these kids who are Limited English Proficiency,” said Rosie Grant, executive director of the Paterson Education Fund advocacy group.

Grant said the district won’t be able to start teaching those children subjects like math or science effectively until they have command of the English language.

When was the data gathered?

The data in the district’s enrollment reports is based on student numbers on Oct. 15, the standard counting day for schools throughout New Jersey. Local school officials then spend almost two months preparing the enrollment reports before they send them to the New Jersey Department of Education in December.

Paterson Press has been seeking the city school district’s 2023-24 enrollment information since last October. District officials sent the reports to this reporter on Feb. 15.

School board member Kenneth Simmons said the surge in LEP enrollment should not be surprising considering the proliferation of new apartment buildings rising in Paterson in the past couple of years. He said many of the families moving into those apartments are Spanish speakers.

“It’s a huge challenge for the district,” Simmons said. “We already have a shortage of teachers, especially in the ESL [English as a Second Language] category.”

Many of the new housing developments in Paterson received tax breaks and won’t have to pay their full share for 20 to 30 years. Simmons said the new developments have contributed to the recent streak of school tax increases. He said the housing brings more children to Paterson, creating additional expenses for the schools, without providing the district with extra revenue to cover those costs.

More from Paterson Press:Another big school tax hike — 8% as currently proposed — looms for Paterson

What did city officials say?

Mayor Andre Sayegh has championed the city’s surge in new housing.

“Paterson is in growth mode evidenced by the unprecedented amount of development that has taken place in the last five years,” the mayor said when asked about the influx of non-English-speaking students. “Moreover, we work with the school district as best we can to accommodate all students.”

Councilman Luis Velez represents the 5th Ward area that was the focal point of Paterson’s Latino immigration in recent years. New Roberto Clemente School, which houses the Newcomers program, is in the 5th Ward.

“It makes them feel very comfortable,” he said of Spanish-speaking immigrants. “They can come here and they don’t have to go right away to a school where everybody only speaks English.”

But it’s clear there’s no room at the Newcomers programs for the majority of the district’s new LEP students. Grant said she recalled that last year the district moved some of its ESL teachers to School 8 to make that building a focal point for children in LEP.

Velez said he thinks one of the reasons for the influx of LEP students has been a trickle-out effect from New York City’s migrant population. He said immigrants were leaving New York and settling elsewhere.

“Now we have to deal with it,” the councilman said.

3-minute read

PATERSON — School 3, which was shut down for safety reasons after a ceiling collapse last summer, likely will remain closed for at least another 18 months, education officials say.

The Paterson Board of Education is weighing two options for repairing the building, and officials acknowledged during a special meeting last week that they have not identified all the funding needed for either proposal.

The less expensive choice, a $5.7 million plan, would produce a school that officials said would fall short of some regulations, such as those in the Americans with Disabilities Act. The $7.8 million option would include $250,000 for fire safety sprinklers, $1.2 million for air conditioning and ventilation improvements and $300,000 for a wheelchair lift.

The 300 students from School 3, which is on Main Street, have been reassigned since the building's closure. Those in lower grades go to Dale Avenue School, less than half a mile away, and the older children have been sent to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School, on the other side of the city.

Parents express concerns

A contingent of School 3 parents who attended the March 7 meeting expressed frustrations with the current arrangement, asserting that they have not been given adequate information about the district’s plans.

Some parents said the distance to get to King school caused difficulties when they had to pick up youngsters being sent home for illness. Others said their children missed what they described as the “family” environment at School 3. The parents implored education officials to get the repairs done as soon as possible.

Last August, district officials estimated that the School 3 repairs would cost $2.1 million and require 16 weeks to get done. Officials have not provided an explanation of why seven months have passed with little tangible progress.

“I don’t want to come back to another meeting where we’re talking about options,” said school board Vice President Kenneth Simmons. “I think this is the fourth meeting where we’ve been told about options … We just need to make sure it gets done.”

Special Report:Unsafe stairs. Leaking closets. No walls. As Paterson schools crumble, students struggle

Building opened in 1899

Board President Manny Martinez said part of the district’s challenge has been the age of the building — which opened in 1899. He said the millions of dollars in repair proposals would “still have students attending a school that’s over 125 years old.”

Officials said constructing a new school at the current School 3 site wasn’t practical because of the proximity of the nearby buildings.

“Part of the issue was the space was not enough to accommodate what’s considered an educationally adequate facility,” said Superintendent Laurie Newell.

In a presentation at last week’s meeting, Business Administrator Richard Matthews said the proposed opening of the school would be during the 2025-26 academic year. But the work can’t start until the Board of Education finds all the money it needs and awards the various contracts for design and construction.

Councilman Luis Velez, who represents the 5^th Ward, where School 3 is, said construction could get delayed by various factors, including unforeseen problems, bad weather and financial issues.