New Jersey Tech, Business, & Creative Resources
When walking into a neighborhood bakery at sunrise or settling into a historic theater seat on a Friday evening, it can be easy to forget that behind every familiar doorway lies a human story.
Across New Jersey, family-owned businesses form the structural and cultural backbone of local communities. They represent years of late nights, shared sacrifices, generational transitions, and an unwavering commitment to serve neighbors as if they were family.
Recognizing this enduring impact, business news publication ROI-NJ announced 16 finalists for its inaugural 2026 New Jersey Family Business of the Year Awards. The program honors family-run enterprises that demonstrate exceptional leadership, long-term longevity, community engagement, and a commitment to preserving their founding legacy.
Divided evenly across two annual revenue tiers—businesses under $10 million and those exceeding $10 million—the nominees showcase the sheer breadth of New Jersey’s entrepreneurial spirit.
The Personal Stories Behind New Jersey Local Staples
In the Under $10 Million category, the nominees carry stories that resonate far beyond financial spreadsheets. These companies are deeply woven into the daily habits and cherished memories of Garden State residents.
Calandra’s Bakery
The story of Calandra’s Bakery began in 1962, when Luciano Calandra, an Italian immigrant who had arrived in the United States just five years earlier, decided to pursue the American dream. Opening a modest bakery in Newark, Luciano and his wife, Ortenza, worked tirelessly around the clock. Their reputation grew quickly, grounded in fresh, authentic recipes and an unyielding work ethic.
As their sons, Anthony and Luciano Jr., came of age, they joined their parents on the bakery floor. Beyond teaching them how to bake crusty Italian bread, Luciano Senior imparted a clear philosophy: treat every customer like family and put hard work first.
Today, what started as a small Newark storefront has expanded into three major bakery operations spanning 50,000 square feet, delivering baked goods to more than 500 regional supermarkets and venues like Prudential Center and MetLife Stadium. Yet six decades later, the family remains steadfast in their founding promise to greet and feed everyone like kin.
The Cranford Theater
For Doreen Sayegh, owner of the Cranford Theater, preserving a landmark means honoring a familial vision. Her father bought the historic cinema back in 1998, seeing potential where others saw an aging structure.
When Doreen, alongside her husband Dino and her father, completed an extensive renovation in late 2019, they were met almost immediately with the unprecedented disruption of global theater shutdowns.
Rather than stepping away, Doreen leaned into resourcefulness. Weeks into the lockdown, she began selling fresh popcorn out of the theater’s front door for curbside pickup, creating a sense of comfort for local families. Soon after, she leased a local parking lot to build a temporary drive-in cinema, preserving the magic of film when the community needed an outlet most.
Today, as Union County’s last remaining independent, family-run movie house approaches its centennial, the Cranford Theater stands as a testament to persistence and creative adaptability.
Maglione’s Italian Ices
In Iselin, the tradition of frozen treats is a family affair that spans three generations. Founded in 1957 by Ralph Maglione Sr. and his wife Flo, Maglione’s Italian Ice operated directly out of their family home, raising their children to take active roles in the craft.
Decades later, the business remains anchored in the very same location, with the founders’ grandchildren now learning the old-world techniques that made the brand a local treasure.
Scaling Commercial Legacy Without Losing Personal Touch
Family businesses in the Over $10 Million category demonstrate how companies can scale into major industry leaders while retaining core family principles.
NAI James E. Hanson
The journey of NAI James E. Hanson illustrates how generational leadership can drive corporate growth. In 1955, an 18-year-old James E. Hanson launched his real estate career in commercial leasing. Over the decades, his sons Peter, Jon, and Donald joined the business, helping establish the firm as a premier commercial real estate authority in the region.
Today, the firm is led by James’s grandson, William “Bill” Hanson, who took over as president in 1993. Under Bill’s guidance, NAI James E. Hanson has expanded across northern New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania, managing more than 11 million square feet of commercial property.
Despite employing over 100 professionals and orchestrating multi-million dollar acquisitions, the company remains guided by the founding values of accountability, integrity, and personal client relationships established by its teenager founder 71 years ago.
The Complete List of 2026 Award Finalists
Finalists were chosen through a rigorous review process measuring corporate strategy, longevity, charitable engagement, and commitment to family legacy.
Under $10 Million Category
- Calandra’s Bakery
- The Cranford Theater
- G.S. Wilcox & Co.
- Maglione’s Italian Ices
- MSI Plumbing & Remodeling
- Repechage
- Valet King & Royal Building Services
- Vibra Screw Inc.
Over $10 Million Category
- Atkins Companies
- By Landmark
- Fromkin Brothers, Inc.
- The Furniture X-Change
- MAC Products
- NAI James E. Hanson
- National Retail Solutions, Inc.
- STRO Companies
Event Details and Gathering the Community
The 16 finalists will be celebrated during an official awards luncheon on Thursday, October 15, 2026, hosted at The Hanover Manor in East Hanover, New Jersey. During the ceremony, ROI-NJ will announce one top winner from each revenue category.
Beyond trophies and accolades, the event offers a moment to reflect on what these companies represent. They are a reminder that behind New Jersey’s commercial strength are families who care deeply about their craft, their employees, and the towns they call home.
