After spending 32 years in Greece, Kyriano (Anna) and Peter Kintos moved to the United States in 1970. The Kintos got married in Bergenfield in 1973. "Mrs. K," as she is known, said her whole family lives in Greece, and that she hasn’t been there in two years. Since she lost her husband in 2002 and younger brother, she is not happy in Greece. Mrs. K speaks emphatically about how much she loves Fort Lee. It was in Fort Lee that the Kintos met and ran their first dry cleaning business from 1970 to 1978 in Hasbrouck Heights, but the rent was very high there. Mrs. K. opened Peter Cleaners in Fort…

Baggios Restaurant and Pizzeria was founded in 1998 when brother-in-laws, Fatmir Kodra, 48 and a resident of Fort Lee, and Naso Ramusi, 40, from Staten Island, bought the former restaurant at 210 Main St. and gave it its current name. Upon entering the restaurant and making introductions, a customer named Vince said, “Stay hungry my friend, come to Baggios.”Coming to the United States from Albania in 1998, Kodra has a financial and business background.Ramusi, who is from originally from Montenegro, came to the U.S. in 1990.Ramusi had 10 years experience working with his brothers at Pomodoros …

People say riding a bicycle is one of the best ways to excercise; it also requires constant maintenance and upkeep of your bike.Hence, co-owners Nelson Gutierrez and his wife, Joanna, opened Strictly Bicycles at 521 Main St. in Fort Lee in November 1993 to make their customers happy and keep their bikes in good shape.Gutierrez’s grandfather lent the couple $20,000 to open the shop; they've since paid back the loan with full interest.The shop was small but living proof, even in the middle of a recession, that making a dream come true is always possible.After putting success and desire first, …

The ambition for a greener future has persuaded owner and president Justin Sasso of Lime Taxi at 1605 John St. in Fort Lee to create an eco-friendly fleet of all hybrid taxis to serve his customers. Sasso, now of Leonia, is a 2000 Fort Lee High School graduate. He worked at Stanley Capital in Englewood Cliffs and went into the mortgage business at Washington Mutual on Park Avenue in Manhattan, where he was an account executive for two years. It was after the mortgage business had collapsed that Sasso went back to school for additional credits.For a little bit of money, Sasso went online to …

The Youth Consultation Service (YCS), a nonprofit social services agency, Fort Lee Education Center (FLEC) was established in 1996 as an approved private school for students with emotional and behavioral problems, enrolling 70 students in grades seven through 12. The school prepares students for employment after graduation. Once with of an enrollment of 80 to 90 students, that number has declined, and the population now consists of many more special needs students.Fort Lee Education Center is accredited by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), is a member of ASHH (a private school …

In 1980, John Manzella opened Hair Dynamics Salon at 1475 Bergen Blvd. in Fort Lee. As owner and worker, Manzella decided to sell the salon to his nephew, Vinnie Marceca, who has continued the tradition since 1995. It was in January 2012 that Vinnie sold the business to his nephew, Jason. Original customers, as well as new customers, come from places as far away as Wayne, Franklin Lakes, New York and even Trenton for the services Vinnie still provides. Jason has loved the business since he started working at Hair Dynamics three years after coming out of high school in1998. He loves the …

The Fort Lee office of Weichert Realtors provides assistance and information in all facets of real estate. The sales associates are fluent in 26 languages, enabling them to communicate effectively and efficiently with all members of the local community. The office’s associates also have special expertise in co-ops, condos, single-family homes, rentals, businesses, stores, multi-family homes, industrial, new construction and land sales. Nancy Zaslowe, a borough resident since 2005 and branch office manager in the Fort Lee office since 1995, started at Weichert’s Glen Rock office as a sales …

Providing tailoring and alterations on all types of materials, including silks, Italian cotton and all other fine fabrics, to his clientele since 1982 in Fort Lee, Dom Vitetta moved from Calabria to Milan, Italy, where he worked with his wife for five years, and the on to America in 1976, giving him, in total, 55 years experience.Dom’s sister-in-law was able to file the proper papers in order for him and his family to move to America. After her help and a loan from a bank, Dom Vitetta Custom Tailor, presently at 444 Main St., has been a mainstay in the borough for 30 years.Dom, who is known …

Coming to America 37 years ago with a strong desire to be an entrepreneur one day, a passion for food and a love of people, Angelo Rizos in 2009 opened Santorini Taverna at 2020 Central Road in Fort Lee. Today he enjoys exposing people to the beauty of Greece, his native country, through its cuisine and signature hospitality. Angelo fulfills his dreams every day by demonstrating that passion and bringing joy to people’s dining experiences.Leaving with the title of "Captain," which he held for 13 out of the 26 years he was with Palm Court in New York City’s Plaza Hotel, Rizos came back across …

Twin Towers Exxon Service Station is among several gas stations in the borough dealing with fluctuating gas prices. Owner John Pappalardo, Jr. is firm in his belief that after serving generations of customers on a personal level, profit isn’t his main idea of success, but rather honesty, integrity and caring for each and every customer like family is. The name "Twin Towers" comes from the buildings unique architecture; it has a tower on each side of the building, which adds to its landmark-like appearance. Without touching the original construction, in 2003, John Sr. built a larger, more …

Master Upholstery is owned and operated by Engin (Andy) Yildirim, who has been in business at 569 Main St. since 2006. The upholsterer does furniture repainting, caning and chair repairs, custom upholstery and wood finishing on all types and sizes of furniture.Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Yildirim has been doing odd jobs in furniture finishing since he was just seven years old. He graduated high school and decided to come to America in 1993 to perfect his skills and talents. At the time, he did not speak English. Working in the service industry did not afford Andy a geat opportuity to pick  up …

After extensive training at the Culinary Institute of America in New Hyde Park, Joseph Ghazal opened Joeyness Mediterranean Café on Main Street in Fort Lee in January 2007. His mother, Samira, left her career in the high-end fashion industry to help Joey get the business off the ground. Joey’s brother, Rabieh Ghazal, was loving Hawaii at the time with his daughter, pursuing the opportunity to help out with Morimoto in Waikiki. It was a great experience and a lot of fun. Rabieh had been working with Joey for two-and-a-half years before going to Hawaii, and he would have stayed there. But Joey …

The mission of Barricade Books is to provide entertaining and informative books while protecting people’s right to free speech. In fact, the founders of the Fort Lee publishing company, the husband and wife team of Carole and Lyle Stuart, started the business with a shared vision of publishing that reflected their commitment to freedom of expression.  Barricade Books has been in business since 1989, when the Stuarts opened up shop in Manhattan—though they were living in New Jersey at the time—after Lyle, who passed away in 2006, sold his company, Lyle Stuart, Inc. The new small publishing …

Fort Lee Chiropractic Associates is a multi-physician medical practice that specializes in chiropractic spinal and pelvic alignments. The business started on Lemoine Avenue, where it remained for 11 years, but for the past 27, the office has been located at 530 Main St. in Fort Lee.Chiropractic is licensed in New Jersey to practice spinal manipulation that has been accepted by Medicare, Medicaid and most every other insurance for more than 50 years.Dr. Andrew Mark Rodgers is a chiropractic physician with Fort Lee Chiropractic Associates. He said, "Chiropractic is not a religion; it is not a …

After 50 years, the location and name of Michele’s Bake Shop—132 Linwood Plaza in Fort Lee—remains the same.Owners Thomas and Marlena Stolarek immigrated from Poland in 1984. They didn’t know each other at the time.Living in New York City and wanting a business of their own, they purchased Michele’s Bake Shop in 1997 from its second owner, Angelo Nigro. Both being so talented with their hands, they are still in business, and the dough, after 14 years. Tom still bakes and Marlena is still baking cookies and cakes.Both Tom and Marlena worked in a Kosher bakery called Greenbaum’s on 200th Street…

Feeling stressed? In need of a break? Need an outlet? Relax in style with Pat at Pat's Yarn Boutique. A business to feel comfortable with. Upon entering Pat's Yarn Boutique, the yarns seem to give one a sense of peace and tranquility - then you meet Pat.After living in Italy for four years as a refugee from Croatia, Pat Vlacancich, then eight years old, moved to the United States with her family, who lived in Hoboken and Bayonne.Pat, interested in knitting as a child, started knitting scarves. Crocheting became an interest after she got married.Pat attended Academy of the Sacred Heart, an all…

After seven years experience working in an optical boutique in downtown Manhattan learning about the eyewear and eye care profession, Dr. Paul Shahinian was drawn to Fort Lee to pursue better opportunity."One of the things that attracted me was the diversity and the cosmopolitan feeling of Fort Lee," Dr. Shahinian said. "In the last 10 years, the diversity has lessened, to my disappointment. However, there are still plenty of people who know who we are and understand what we do to remain well supported. And for that I am thankful." He added, "As it turns out, people have the taste and …

For anyone not aware of Cafasso's Fairway Market, located at 1214 Anderson Ave., what you are missing out on is quality, freshness, service, loyalty and value. The market is quite impressive. After 80 years, their commitment is to provide the finest meats, seafood, fruits, vegetables, cheeses and chef-inspired and prepared dishes. And there is so much more.Cafasso’s has continued for four generations, starting with the great grandfather, Umberto Cafasso, and his wife, Marianna (first generation), grandfather Charles Cafasso (second generation), David Cafasso, Sr. (father) and Robert Cafasso (…

The one-of-a-kind, family-owned and operated home media center in Fort Lee, JD Audio and Video Design (JDAV) was founded by Dimitri Karlis as an electronic repair shop in 1969 in Tenafly known as JD Electronics. Repairs included TVs, VCRs and air conditioners. Karlis was one of the few repairman who repaired Sony Electronics.When the business outgrew the location, Karlis moved to Fort Lee, where began growing the business, gaining more authorized sale dealerships, industrial repair clients and an increasing number of referral clients. He was, for example, able to acquire Sony Electronics as …

The Fort Lee-based New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera (NJAVO), recognized as a major opera company in Bergen County, has been a part of the state’s local music scene since 1989. In 1991, the NJAVO orchestra began performing in Bergen County at the Fort Lee Historic Park. Today the NJAVO performs at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) in Englewood (since 2003), but the company has also performed at the Orrie de Nooyer auditorium in Hackensack, the Academy of Holy Angels Auditorium in Demarest, and in New York City.Fort Lee resident Giovanni "Gianni" Simone comes from a small …