Comfort Zone and The Emporium Celebrate 40 Years of Business

OCEAN GROVE, NJ — Comfort Zone and The Emporium at Ocean Grove located at 44-46 Main Ave celebrated 40 years of collective business on Saturday, July 20 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by dozens of community members.

Assemblywoman Margie Donlon honored business owner Stephen Mandeville and his partner, Victor Aluise, by presenting them with two legislative resolutions. The resolutions were signed by State Senator Vin Gopal and Assemblywoman Donlon and Luanne Peterpaul.

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“Congratulations to all of you. It's really amazing to be here for so long and have such resilience during difficult times,” Assemblywomen Donlon said.

Local leaders Neptune Township Mayor Tassie York, Deputy Mayor Robert Lane and Commiteman Derel Stroud were also in attendance at the ceremony.

The joyous occasion commemorated 25 years since the inception of Comfort Zone at 44 1/2 Main Avenue, solidifying its status as one of the oldest continuously operating retail businesses in the area.

With great admiration, Mayor York extended her congratulations to the business owners for achieving the phenomenal milestone.

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“The name reflects the business because they are very welcoming and comforting - they make people feel comfortable when they come inside the store,” Mayor York said.

Comfort Zone has become a beloved destination for residents and visitors alike, offering a premier selection of bath and body products as well as stationary and books. Renowned for its exquisite assortment of soaps, lotions and skincare products, Comfort Zone has drawn customers from far and wide seeking quality and excellence.

“Ocean Grove is a great place to have a business. The people that come in and shop are like family,” Mandeville said.
“I listen to what my customers want and I go out and get it. Mostly I want my customers to know I will do anything I can to get what they want,” Mandeville said.

Adjacent to Comfort Zone, is Comfort Zone Books, one of the oldest independent bookstores on the Jersey Shore.

Here, patrons can explore a treasure trove of literature, including NY Times bestsellers, children's books, self-improvement guides, as well as captivating historical fiction.

The bookstore also features a delightful collection of children's toys and games, adding to its charm and appeal.

Meanwhile, The Emporium at Ocean Grove celebrated its 15th year in business.

“Ocean Grove is fabulous. Everybody comes together and the staff here is amazing,” noted Moe Keane, who has worked at the shop for six years.

The Emporium recently relocated to 44 Main Ave., and is connected to Comfort Zone through a convenient passthrough.
This new location has quickly become a haven for fashion enthusiasts, offering a stunning variety of resort wear and special occasion outfits.

“The reception has been phenomenal and our business is just booming. We are happy to be in this new location,”  Mandeville noted.

Handspun gauze, American-made linen, and contemporary styles by esteemed American designers such as Charlie B and Clara Sun Woo are among the highlights.

Throughout the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Comfort Zone and Emporium remained steadfast pillars of the Ocean Grove community, adapting with innovative services like curbside shopping and home delivery, distinguishing themselves as the only retail stores in Ocean Grove to offer such conveniences seven days a week.

“It takes a lot of grit, determination and the ability to pivot when things are not going the way you think they will go,”  Aluise said, adding, “We hope for 40 more years.”

Aluise expressed that customers from not just New Jersey, but also from various regions of the United States, stop in to visit the shops.

“It's gratifying to see that year after year, and it's just a happy place to be and we're happy to be here,” he added.

Explore Comfort Zone’s website here and check out The Emporium at Ocean Grove’s website here to learn more about its offerings.

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