Business Spotlight
Mendez Agency Nationwide Travel - 263 Central Avenue, Jersey City
Business Owner: Gilbert Mendez
July 2010
It is without a doubt that the Mendez family has developed and maintained a steady business over the past 55 years, as their great and genuine service has attracted clients from all over the region.
In 1955, John T. Mendez opened an insurance agency on Grove Street. Twenty-three years later, in 1978, an extension business was built on Central Avenue. By this time, John’s sons, John Jay, Rich, and Gil had become to play a large role in the well-established business.
After the Grove Street business was closed in 1999, the Central Avenue annex remained opened as John’s sons John Jay and Gil took over. Having much experience in small business ownership, Rich even opened his own POSTNET business downtown that is still wide open for business, today. These ventures certainly made this family a Jersey City household name.
In 2002, Gil solely took over
the business on Central. He is
a common face around the community,
living in the Heights
his whole life, and currently
residing on Sherman Place,
just behind his storefront. He
happily admits to shopping at
Central Avenue stores such as
Kennedy Department Store
and dining at place like Goehrig’s bakery
and Renato’s Pizza Masters.
Furthermore, Gil has given
back much to Central Avenue
as he was one of the founding
members of the CASID and
currently serves on the CASID
Board of Trustees as the VP
South.
Not only is it his long-term
small business expertise,
charming attitude, or fact that
he connects so much with the
neighborhood that makes his
business a staple. In fact, it’s
that Mendez Agency offers so
many amenities that keep it
hopping! The storefront offers notary
service, translation services, travel
agency bookings, tax preparing, and personal
mailboxes. “I’m the doctor, lawyer,
and Indian chief!” Gil laughs. With all
these assets, it’s no wonder that clients
who have moved out of state and are as
far as Georgia, Florida, Arizona, and
even Puerto Rico still stop by the shop
when visiting family that still live in the
Heights, especially during tax season.
However, what makes Mendez Agency and its owner Gil the most unique is that he is dedicated and bound to his roots here. He is committed to providing great service to the people of the community for years to come. He simply states, “I was born and raised in the Heights and I have no intentions of ever leaving.”