| Author |
Message |
    
johnh91011
Citizen
Username: Johnh91011
Post Number: 12
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 9, 2003 - 10:32 am: |     |
Last wednesday's Star Ledger's Savor section told us about Pen and Jen's at the Maplewood train station. They share the space with Maplewood Concierge Company. According to the article (http://www.nj.com/search/index.ssf?/base/living-0/1057122796143850.xml?starledge r?livfd) they are suppose to serve snacks, sandwiches, tea etc.
Today I noticed that the sign said they are only open 3pm-8pm. What is the story?. I would have thought they would want to catch the morning rush hour.
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sam6
Citizen
Username: Sam6
Post Number: 28
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 9, 2003 - 4:44 pm: | |
Jen and Pen's cannot serve the morning rush because they cannot be there when Heavenly Scent is open. They can open after Joyce closed at 9:45 am but part of the agreement and contract is that Joyce has exclusive rights to the morning rush for coffee etc. |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 164
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 9, 2003 - 4:54 pm: | |
That's too bad, because -- as I posted in the similar thread in the arts & entertainment section of MOL -- I could really go for a fresh scone and iced tea in the morning, and Heavenly Scent has nothing I want. I know Joyce has lots of fans and they'll probably hate me for this, but I say what's wrong with some healthy competition during the morning rush? |
johnh91011
Citizen
Username: Johnh91011
Post Number: 16
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 9, 2003 - 5:42 pm: | |
I agree with the healthy competition bit. I am one of Joyce's fans but dearly wish she would improve the coffee. I have switched to having tea in the mornings because the coffee is so weak and tasteless.
Amandacat: I read your post on the arts/entertainment section and agree that I would love to have a hot scone/iced tea on my way to work and maybe grab a sandwich to eat later. |
algebra2
Citizen
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 1083
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 9, 2003 - 7:11 pm: | |
I like Joyce too but I buy my coffee at Cravings every morning. It's more convenient for me and has better coffee. |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 1577
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 12:37 pm: | |
"I say what's wrong with some healthy competition during the morning rush?"
Amandacat, I agree, but when I tried to expand the services in the station for the commuters a little over a year ago, about 1200 of them signed on to a "Save Joyce Campaign".
This issue has never really been about Joyce, its always been about providing the best service possible for ALL MAPLEWOOD COMMUTERS, not just the coffee click....
Rules and agreements can be changed, all you folks need to do is request it. Jen and Pen are not competition for Joyce, but will provide a welcome choice for everyone, especially if Joyce is unwilling to step up and expand her service.
Both these services are brought to you by The Maplewood Concierge Company. The whole idea behind MCC is service to the community. It was never meant to be a cash cow for any one company or person.
For the past year when I ran Late for the train Cafe, we had many many requests to add our services to what Joyce had to offer.
As I learned the hard way last year, the decision is up to the commuters!! I don't believe anyone has to vote against Joyce, just vote for having a choice! Everyone stands to benefit when everyone is being considered...
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Marilyn May
Citizen
Username: Marilynmay
Post Number: 151
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 1:18 pm: | |
Pen and Jen will be providing free samples of their teas and cookies at tonite's SOMBI meeting. The meeting runs from 7PM to 9PM but Jen and/or Pen will start serving refreshments sometime after 6:30 PM, so come early and enjoy. |
mplwdian
Citizen
Username: Mplwdian
Post Number: 19
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 2:46 pm: | |
The petition to save Joyce, was I believe directed at NJ Transit for its position not to renew Joyce's lease/concession. I like Joyce personally, but I see no reason why Pen & Jen could not also serve coffee, tea, bagels, muffins, cereal, whatever. If Joyce was given an exclusive, it was at the expense of Maplewood's commuters. The more choice the better. Most retailers and food establishments understand this (e.g., food courts and the proximity many restaurants (McDonald's, etc) near to one another).
Its very rare for anyone other than a major/anchor tenant to get such a exclusive right and I find it hard to believe that NJ Transit would have done that for Joyce, being that she has about 20 square feet of space and she is not the draw for the station. |
johnh91011
Citizen
Username: Johnh91011
Post Number: 17
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 4:57 pm: | |
I agree with Mplwdian. I signed the petition because it seemed to me that Joyce was unfairly being forced out. I didn't agree to a limit on the choices available to me in the mornings. I am really surprised that someone mentioned the non compete clause specially because I know that I encountered the "late for the train" cafe mentioned by ajc.
I hope that we can start a ground swell of public opinion to let Pen and Jen sell in the morning. HOT SCONE!!! |
johnh91011
Citizen
Username: Johnh91011
Post Number: 18
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 5:12 pm: | |
By the way is Jen (Jennifer Corzine) of Pen and Jen's related to Jon Corzine, our Senator? |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 1581
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 4:36 pm: | |
It was a long year of looking for anyone willing to run the café, and we were really pleased to be able to get Pen and Jen on board. I must agree with others that a fresh scone and some delicious, real home made iced tea would offer everyone a refreshing and healthy choice at the train station, especially on some of these hot muggy mornings.
Given the circumstances of last years successful petition by Joyce to change the legal contractual contract the MCC had with Heavenly Scent Café, I feel it would be totally appropriate to start a petition to remove the time restrictions of operation for Pen and Jen’s if they chose to open in the mornings. The commuter's interest's was, and rightly should be considered first and foremost. (Note: To the best of my knowledge, at this point they have no interest in opening in the morning anyway.)
BTW, I'm not sure what difference it makes who any of these young women are John, but if you're really interested, maybe you should drop by for a cup of fresh tea and ask them. |
johnh91011
Citizen
Username: Johnh91011
Post Number: 20
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 11:00 pm: | |
Who the 2 women are wouldn't affect my opinion. I was just curious since the name was mentioned in the article in the Star Ledger |
luv2cruise
Citizen
Username: Luv2cruise
Post Number: 76
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 6:12 am: | |
Since when are scones healthy?
There's nothing like being on the ocean! |
E-zee
Citizen
Username: Eazy_e
Post Number: 2
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 12:19 pm: | |
I agree with algebra2 cravings has much better coffee and fresh baked muffins and croissants,danish,and breakfasts sandwiches as well ,If you want choices they are there |
joeltfk
Citizen
Username: Joeltfk
Post Number: 12
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 12:52 pm: | |
I agree that Joyce has a really sad selection and is high-priced to boot (3.00 for juice? Maybe not her fault, but there are no alternatives). And I don't even drink coffee. I didn't sign the petition for this reason. Let the best service win. What happenned to the Late for the Train service anyway? |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 1596
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 3:32 pm: | |
I sold "Late for the train Cafe" to Pen & Jen.  |
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