By Tracy Leigh
ERA Justin Realty has recently relocated and extensively renovated its new home at 46 Chestnut Street, Rutherford. Their new building has a long history with real estate companies and was formerly known as the Ellwood S. New building, a real estate company which was established in 1928. This Georgian-Colonial structure was built in 1900 and reimagined in 1968 with extensive remodeling and customer parking lot.
TIR recently caught up with Jennifer Darby Metzger to learn more about ERA Justin's presence in Rutherford and how they've evolved throughout the years.
TIR: Congratulations on the move! The new space looks amazing. Can you tell us more about the building you're now in?
Jennifer Darby Metzger: Thank you! We're so excited to be in our new "home". After two prior moves in the same town over 60 years, we're finally home on Chestnut Street. With our newest updates we have transformed this historic beauty. It has been thoughtfully restored into a modern, progressive office without losing its historic charm. Smart floor plan featuring flex offices, lounge area, "phone booths" for private calls, electric car charger, and digital systems to host our clients through all of their real estate transactions. We are beyond excited to have a good old-fashioned front porch where they can spend time with our neighbors and continue to foster that great sense of community that we are known for.
TIR: ERA Justin has a long history here in Rutherford. How did it all begin?
Jennifer Darby Metzger: Justin Realty started in the late 1950s by Justin Tokarski as a commercial real estate company. Tokarski was the Mayor of Rutherford in 1963. My dad, Ron Darby began his real estate career in 1967 with K Realty, overseeing two Rutherford offices as well as offices in Lyndhurst, North Arlington, and a location in South Jersey. Just a few years later, Justin Tokarski, and Ron Darby became partners. With Ron’s management and advertising skills, a new era of Justin Realty was born. The close bond between Justin and Ron contributed to its incredible success. The duo cemented their home base in Rutherford at 300 Union Avenue and in the years following, Justin’s son Cass Tokarski joined the business. Several years later, they transformed an original Rutherford shopping complex into their new home at 118 Jackson Ave. Justin Realty then joined the ERA Real Estate national franchise, and is now celebrating over three decades with ERA.
TIR: You went to college and graduated with a teaching degree. How did you become a realtor?
Jennifer Darby Metzger: Yes! I graduated college with a degree in Earth and Space Science Education. I wanted to become a High School Science teacher, but then I decided to join the family business as a real estate professional in 1997. After 3 successful years as a Realtor, I went back to school to further my real estate knowledge and became a Real Estate Broker. Trying to combine my college degree with my real estate knowledge, I returned to school and obtained my Real Estate Teaching Certificate, which gave me the ability to teach real estate as a state instructor at a school or university. After several years as an agent, I bought out the Tokarski family making ERA Justin Realty truly family-owned. With 20 years as an agent under my belt, I love coaching my agents to success!
TIR: Ron Darby was selected by the Rutherford Chamber of Commerce to be the Grand Marshall in the 70th Annual Holiday Parade on Saturday, November 26th. Tell us more about the honor!
Jennifer Darby Metzger: It was such a great surprise when members of The Rutherford Chamber of Commerce showed up at our office meeting this summer to tell my dad that he had been chosen as this year’s Grand Marshal for the 70th Annual Holiday Parade. This truly speaks volume about running a local business in town for so many years. What a great way to be honored for all of the contribution to the town we all love. We are all so excited for him!
ERA Justin Realty
46 Chestnut St
Rutherford, NJ 07070
(201) 939-7500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ERAJustinRealty
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erajustinrealty
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