$ 1 00 hammontongazette . com Volume 28 • Issue 8 Wednesday , February 21 , 2024 Fire Co . No . 2 receives 4.6K grant
Third Thursday : “ Amore ” celebrates love downtown
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$ 1 00 hammontongazette . com Volume 28 • Issue 8 Wednesday , February 21 , 2024 Fire Co . No . 2 receives 4.6K grant
Courtesy Photo
Hammonton Independent Volunteer Fire Co . No . 2 will use funds from the South Jersey Gas grant for enhanced training equipment including a freestanding aluminum cutting prop .
Harbor Freight looking to fill 25-30 positions
by Dan Russoman GAZETTE NEWS / SPORTS DIRECTOR
HAMMONTON — Harbor Freight Tools announced last week that it is seeking to fill 25- 30 new jobs in its soon-to-open store located on the White Horse Pike in Hammonton .
In a Feb . 13 press release , the retailer , which touts itself as “ America ’ s go-to store for quality tools at the lowest prices ,” said it hopes to open the Hammonton location at some time this spring .
The company has used local workers and companies from the Hammonton area during its construction of the site , and Harbor
Freight expressed its excitement about coming to the town .
“ We ’ ve been looking to open a location in Hammonton for a number of years so that we can provide the tools and equipment at tremendous values to the community ,” Trey Feiler , Senior Vice President , Real Estate and Construction for Harbor Freight Tools said in the statement .
“ In addition to finding a great location , we were attracted by the availability of great associates in the Hammonton area and we look forward to having them join the Harbor Freight team ,” Feiler said .
Harbor Freight expects to hire 25-30 individuals , including
See FREIGHT , Page 12
Micro remediation discussed at LWQA meeting
by Kristin Guglietti GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON — Stockton University associate professor of environmental studies Emma Witt gave a presentation on her research and her students ’ latest findings at the Hammonton Lake Water Quality Advisory ( LWQA ) Committee meeting on Feb . 13 at the Hammonton Canoe Club .
There were three things Witt discussed about during her presentation : micro remediation , summary of 2023 sampling season and pH findings at the lake .
LWQA Committee chairperson Dan Bachalis explained what micro remediation is .
“ Micro remediation is using mushroom mycelium to filter impurities out of the water ,” Bachalis said .
Witt and her students took canning jars , sterilized them and filled them with a variety of things .
See LAKE , Page 4
by Kristin Guglietti GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON — The Hammonton Independent Volunteer Fire Company No . 2 was one of the recipients that received $ 4,645 from the 2023 South Jersey Gas First Responders Grant Program .
This year , eight grants totaling nearly $ 40,000 were awarded to local first responder departments according to a press release from South Jersey Gas .
The 2023 recipients include Hammonton Independent Volunteer Fire Company No . 2 , Glassboro Police Department , Tabernacle Rescue Squad , Somerdale Fire Department , Cedarville Fire Company No . 1 , Galloway Office of Emergency Management , Wildwood Fire Department and Washington Fire Company No . 3 .
“ At South Jersey Gas , we recognize the vital role first responders play in our communities ; providing critical emergency planning and response services for natural disasters and emergencies ,” said Brent Schomber , President and COO , South Jersey Gas in a press release . “ These grants are a token of our appreciation for their tremendous dedication , and we are proud to support the invaluable
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work they do to keep our customers and communities safe .”
Hammonton Independent Volunteer Fire Company No . 2 Lieutenant Joe Lizza said the funds from the grant will be used for enhanced training equipment .
“ The funds the grant will be utilized for enhanced training equipment that will simultaneously modernize and increase the safety of training opportunities and evolutions . The funds will be used to purchase new and replacement items to modernize our training to enhance our ability to train to face the current threats presented to our firefighters in their work ,” Lizza said .
There are two specific items the fire company will be purchasing to enhance their training , a training dummy and a freestanding aluminum cutting prop .
According to Lizza , the previous training dummy is 15-20 years old and was created in house by members using discarded firehose .
“ The new model is specifically designed for the demands of our training evolutions and has a truck bed liner on the back of torso and both sides of the legs for extra durability when training requires
See GRANT , Page 12
Ricca ’ s Brick Oven Bistro & Bar
A Decade of Family Legacy & Community Resilience
Craig Richards / THG
Ricca ’ s Brick Oven Bistro & Bar celebrated their 10th Anniversary on Jan . 31 . Kneeling : Fran Eddis ; First row ( l-r ): Karly Wiessner , Theresa Denning , Michael Ricca , niece Rachel Ricca , brother Joe Ricca and pizza man Jose Guzman . Second row ( l-r ): Bella Tierno , wife Jill Ricca , son Michael Ricca Jr . and Devon Eddis .
by Craig Richards GAZETTE PUBLISHER
HAMMONTON — Tucked away on 104 Fairview Ave . in the heart of Hammonton ’ s “ Little Italy ,” Ricca ’ s Brick Oven Bistro & Bar stands as a testament to family legacy , resilience and a commitment to quality that has endured for decades .
Originally known as Vet ’ s Sunrise Bakery , Cosimo Ricca , owned and operated the bakery establishing the family business in Hammonton . Following his untimely death in 1993 , the bakery continued under the stewardship of his sons until unforeseen circumstances led to its closure in 2011 .
In a twist of fate , the Ricca family revived the space , transforming it into a coal and woodfired brick oven pizzeria with a retail section for traditional Italian baked goods . The idea took
shape in 2011 when brothers Tom and Michael Ricca began renovations and ultimately launched Ricca ’ s Brick Oven Bistro & Bar on Jan . 31 , 2014 , honoring the patriarch ’ s memory on what would have been his 83rd birthday .
Today , this iconic family establishment remains true to its roots . Michael Ricca , owner and operator of the business is surrounded by family including his brother , Joe ; wife , Jill ; son , Michael Jr .; daughter , Briana ( not pictured ) and niece , Rachel . Other family members are frequently in attendance telling stories of the early days — an added feature locals love about the place .
Known as “ the bread man ,” Joseph Ricca bakes an array of delectable Italian breads . Thomas Ricca , a former WWE Hall of Famer , and founder of Cannoli World LLC , adds a touch of celebrity flair to the ambiance and fla-
See RICCA , Page 8 one dollar