Economic Development Director Mike Minton calls Cinnaminson Riggins a “hardship case.”
With all the talk of Wawa, Chipotle and Starbucks coming to town, it’s easy to forget about the small businesses of Cinnaminson. John Feghali, owner of Cinnaminson Riggins, came to committee last week with a plan he believes will help keep his business afloat.
“This is a little bit of a hardship case,” Economic Development Director Mike Minton said. “He is greatly impacted by businesses around him, but we want him to survive.”
Feghali says he lost about 20 percent of his gas sales when Conoco opened and predicts he’ll lose another 20 percent when the new Wawa opens. This year, Cinnaminson will welcome a Wawa with gas at the corner of Route 130 and Taylors Lane.
Feghali’s plan includes a small addition to Riggins to sell pizza by the slice and a lot to park no more than 10 cars for sale.
“In total there would be three buildings. One for the ambulance service, one there existing and a smaller one next to it to detail the cars,” Feghali said.
Palmyra-Cinnaminson-Riverton EMS’s Cinnaminson location is directly behind Riggins. Feghali says the car sales would be an additional way of revenue to help balance the profit he has lost from competition. There would not be any additional signage or advertising for the car sales, according to Minton, who has been meeting with Feghali for almost two years to discuss the issue. Minton says Committeeman John McCarthy, who was mayor at the time, was the first to suggest helping Feghali.
“We’re asking you to consider a different opportunity. As you all know, we’ve spent a lot of time working with what we’ll call big box businesses,” Minton said. “Right now, this is the opportunity where we can help a small business who is impacted by those big business decisions.”
Minton requested committee send a recommendation to the planning board on behalf of Feghali.
Mayor Anthony Minniti says he is OK with the plan. His only concern is if Feghali chooses to sell his business.
“My only concern is the use being transferred,” Minniti said. “I’m comfortable with John Feghali, but I don’t know that I’d be comfortable with the next person in this sort of configuration.”
Committeeman Donald Brauckmann agreed. Committee voted unanimously to send the recommendation.
