Release: Gottheimer Honors Black History Month, Visits Local Black-Owned Small Businesses in North Jersey

TEANECK, NJ — Today, February 19, 2022, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) honored Black History Month and visited local Black-owned small businesses in Teaneck. Gottheimer was joined by the store owners, New Jersey State Senator Johnson (LD-37), Assemblywoman Park (LD-37), Assemblywoman Haider (LD-37), Bergen County Commissioner Tom Sullivan, Teaneck Mayor Dunleavy, and North Jersey residents. 

Gottheimer first visited Cafe Metro, which opened in 2015 and is owned by Bernadine Harrigan, who was raised in Antigua. Cafe Metro offers authentic Caribbean food and managed to stay open during the pandemic, contributing to the local economy and supporting its employees. 

Gottheimer also visited Mortgage Apple Cakes, owned by Angela Logan, who began her business following the 2008 economic crisis when she set a goal to sell 100 apple cakes in ten days to save her home from foreclosure. Her story went viral and, after receiving 900 orders in two weeks, she was able to save her home from foreclosure and fund the opening of her restaurant. Since then, she has catered for the Super Bowl in 2014 and currently sells more than 3,000 cakes online every year.  

“This Black History Month — and every month — we not only celebrate Black history, culture, and all the many contributions to the North Jersey community, but we must also continue our work toward justice and equity for all,” said U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “These small businesses are incredible examples of our locally-owned small businesses that are the backbone of North Jersey. They create good-paying jobs, support our local communities and economy, and help make North Jersey a great place to live and do business.” 

Small businesses are the backbone of New Jersey. There are more than 937,000 small businesses in New Jersey, which make up 99.6% of all businesses in the Garden State. Nearly half of all employees in Jersey work for a small business. Furthermore, small businesses created 24,543 new jobs in New Jersey in 2020. 

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