New ownership reconnects cell phone shopping in the area

BYRAM - A cell phone has become as much a staple of life as bread or water. Ask any teenager chatting with a friend across the mall as they descend the escalator. Got the picture? Sales of cell phones, once strictly within the purview of “the telephone company,” have branched out to stores in convenient locales. One phone outlet close to home is A&T Wireless (formerly A&T International) located on Route 206 South. The new owner, Don Ippolito, is celebrating a grand reopening as an authorized dealer for Cingular, Nextel, and T-Mobile. The store offers personalized service and a large inventory of phones and accessories. The store stocks a wide variety of cell phones to choose from, including LG, Motorola, Nokia, and Samsung, and Verizon pre-paid phones, which he said most area stores don’t carry. The space was fully renovated with new displays, new counters and comfortable seating for conversations and learning sessions. “We provide a laid-back environment where the customer can feel that he can come in and just browse. I’m here to help them select from the products that we have available,” said Ippolito. He stressed that service is his store’s main concern, and said customers would get more personalized attention at his store than at the local mall kiosk. “When we determine your need,” he said, “we will match it to the right plan.” According to Ippolito, current plans offer minute allowances from 300 up to 3,000 minutes. The store stocks a variety of accessories, and among the more popular add-ons are hands-free headsets. Ippolito highlighted the universal wireless headset that offers clear reception with a comfortable earpiece sized to the ear, and a wide selection of car chargers starting at $19.99. As a grand opening special, Ippolito is offering a free accessory with the purchase of a two-year plan. He cautions that because of new security measures put in place, customers should be prepared to show two forms of identification when shopping for a plan. A&T Wireless is located at 21 Route 206 South, Byram. Call 973-347-3330. Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.