Haddonfield Man Opening New Store Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

HADDONFIELD, NJ — At a time when non-essential businesses in New Jersey are closed by state order until further notice to help prevent the spread of new coronavirus, opening a new store can be a scary prospect.

Fortunately for Mike Androlewicz, Batteries Plus has been deemed an essential business. The 55-year-old Haddonfield man is aiming to have his store open by Sept. 1.

“I was thinking, ‘what did I get myself into?’,” Androlewicz said. “But it’s comforting to see the CEO put out daily emails, and to hear his message is reassuring.”

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Androlewicz, a graduate of Paul VI High School and Lehigh University, decided to pursue a Batteries Plus franchise before the pandemic began. For the last 17 years, he was the vice president and co-owner of the Voorhees-based Education Management Corporation.

After nearly two decades in business, his partner, an 80-year-old woman, said she was getting ready to retire. The business began winding down operations in September, and Androlewicz started looking for something new.

He looked at franchise-opportunities with Batteries Plus and visited their headquarters in Wisconsin.

“It was a first-class operation with a good brand,” Androlewicz said.

After the pandemic hit, he noticed something else: Batteries Plus had been deemed an essential business, and all its stores nationwide were still open.

In addition to basic batteries and light bulbs of all types, Batteries Plus also specializes in backup medical equipment needed by hospitals. The company also works with multiple municipalities, and needed equipment for people working from home, including power cords and chargers for laptops, tablets and cell phones. They also sell UPS backups and surge protectors, and repair all types of devices needed to work from home.

Androlewicz likes this aspect of the company, and looks forward to being an active and supportive member of the community.

“I want to be a good and decent employer,” said Androlewicz, who is looking to set his store up in Cherry Hill, at the border with Haddonfield on Route 70. “I’m going to be a valued supplier.”

Haddon Patch has set up a directory business owners can use to let people know they are open. Details on the directory and the form to enter your business can be found here.

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know