Business Buzz
By Rich Baehrle
Atlantic County has become a true international community over the past 40 years. With that comes a demand for authentic foods both from markets and restaurants. This week we are featuring 2 businesses that have recognized the need to address both local and the international communities.
Absecon’s Gokul Farmers
Market expanding.
Gokul Farmers Market which is located at 209 New Road, Absecon is a tremendously successful business. It was founded by Yokesh and Rakesh Patel during the fall of 2009. They were motivated to start the business due to the lack of South Asian food options in the local South Jersey area. After countless trips to North Jersey Indian/ American supermarkets on weekends, they felt that this issue was not just unique to their families, but to countless others in the area.
The brothers gave up their engineering careers to follow their passion of sharing the food and culture of their homeland of India with their community. After 14 years of remarkable growth and outpouring support from the community and beyond, Gokul has outgrown their current building. They are now finishing a new 7,000-square-foot building next to their current store. The new location will be operational in the beginning of April. With the expansion, Gokul plans on offering items from all around the world notably the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Middle East along with their current Indian, Pakistani, and Bengali inventory. The goal is to continue to share the global culture and cuisine. Yokesh and Rakesh are excited to announce that they are planning for a restaurant and a laundromat.
Gokel is a true family business with their entire household involved. Yokesh’s son Dev has been involved since he was tall enough to stock the shelves. He is a Stockton University graduate and currently serves in the NJ Air National Guard and he is pursuing his MD. Dev plans on expanding the family business after graduating from medical school. The family says they are very excited for what is to come and they would like to thank the community for their support and invites them to attend their grand opening in April.
Lil Saigon is moving to Northfield.
Northfield is about to welcome the well-known Lil Saigon to the former Friendly’s Family Restaurant located at 1003 Tilton Road. The restaurant has sat vacant for many years, but it appears that the wait is going to be worth it to get such a great quality establishment as Lil Saigon. It is currently located at the Exchange in Linwood. It will be open there until March 25. They are excited to be relocating into a totally renovated 110-seat, full-dining BYOB restaurant.
Lil Saigon has been serving authentic and fusion Vietnamese cusine for over 30 years. Lil Saigon is well known for their Noodle Bowls and their award winning, one and only Pho beef noodle soup with sliced flank steak. Their innovative Boxes and Bowls can be customized to accommodate every taste bud. You can even order customizable fried rice and pan-fried egg noodles. Also look out for their tried and true house made specials and fresh squeezed/brewed drinks. Call 609-904-2778.
Rich Baehrle, of Berkshire Hathaway Fox and Roach, can be reached at 609-266-6680
or 609-641-0011. Email richardbaehrle@gmail.com or see www.getrichinrealestateSJ.com
