Business

Rockland Resident is the Face of Lay’s Chips

Published

5 years ago

September 28, 2020

SPRING VALLEY, NY – Jean Paul Laurent, a Spring Valley resident and founder of Unspoken Smiles, a nonprofit promoting oral hygiene is featured smiling on a variety of Lay’s flavored bags.

The new bags are part of a campaign to promote Operation Smile, a nonprofit that provides surgeries for people with cleft lips or palates. Laurent was chosen to be featured on the bag because he founded Unspoken Smiles, a nonprofit promoting oral hygiene, especially among children. He has helped more than 7,000 children worldwide achieve and maintain their oral health, The Haitian Times reported.

In 2004, Laurent immigrated to the U.S. and settled in Rockland County, New York, before moving to Spring Valley. Before becoming the self-proclaimed Mayor of Smiles, the then 21-year-old was working at Target with limited English-speaking skills.“[Sixteen] years ago[,] I landed in this beautiful [sic] with just a suit case and a dream to excel, he said on LinkedIn. “A month later, I got my first job at Target with barely enough English to ring items as a cashier. Fast forward today, I’m at the very same store in west Nyack buying potato chips with my smile in them.”

He studied his way from Rockland Community College to New York University’s College of Dentistry, according to his LinkedIn profile. Laurent then obtained an Executive MPA from Columbia University.

In 2014, his organization got recognition by the United Nations and Clinton Foundation. Laurent got a role as a UN special consultant, providing requested advice and written statements on social and economic conditions in various countries, The Hatitain Times reported.

Story was originally posted in Yahoo News and can be read HERE.

Business

Shop Local, Eat Fresh: Pearl River Farmers Market

Published

3 days ago

June 5, 2025

Rockland Report Admin

The Pearl River Farmers Market began in 2019, and has taken place every Saturday since, right in the heart of downtown Pearl River. The market is a vibrant community event that runs from spring through fall, typically from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, bringing together local farmers, artisans, and small businesses.

Visitors can expect a wide variety of fresh, locally grown produce, handcrafted goods, and delicious food offerings.

Come out and support your local growers and makers every Saturday in downtown Pearl River!

Business

Wine & Liquor Pomona Celebrates Grand Opening at Mt. Ivy Shopping Plaza

Published

1 week ago

May 29, 2025

Rockland Report Editor

POMONA, NY – The Mt. Ivy Shopping Plaza has welcomed an exciting new addition with the grand opening of Wine & Liquor Pomona, celebrated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local officials and community members. The event, held at the store’s location on Thiells Mt. Ivy Road, marked a promising new chapter for the area’s retail scene.

The grand opening was proudly attended by Town of Haverstraw Supervisor Howard Phillips and Councilman Ralph Kirschkel, who joined in congratulating proprietors David Lu, Jian Weng, and Mike Liu on their new venture. The business owners were praised for their investment in the local economy and their commitment to offering a quality selection of wine and spirits to Rockland County residents.

Wine & Liquor Pomona features a diverse and carefully curated selection of wines and liquors, catering to both casual shoppers and connoisseurs alike. The store’s opening reflects a growing trend of local entrepreneurship and adds value to the Pomona community by providing new shopping options and supporting local commerce.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to stop by and explore the new store’s offerings. With an emphasis on customer service and variety, Wine & Liquor Pomona is poised to become a favorite destination for wine lovers and spirit enthusiasts in Rockland County.