Biondo Investment Advisors opens new building
SPARTA. Rapid growth of the local office led to the decision to open a bigger building.
Sparta /
| 24 Jun 2023 | 06:32
The Sparta office of Biondo Investment Advisors has grown quickly. (Photos by Deirdre Mastandrea)
Joseph R. Biondo, left, cuts the ribbon at the building’s opening June 15 while Deputy Mayor Neill Clark watches.
The new Art Deco building was designed by Carlos Tovar, founder of Diseño Urbano Studio in Bethlehem, Pa.
The Rev. Msgr. Kieran McHugh says a prayer during the opening ceremony.
Biondo Investment Advisors celebrated the opening of its new building at 47 Main St., Sparta, on June 15.
The Art Deco building was designed by Carlos Tovar, founder of Diseño Urbano Studio in Bethlehem, Pa.
Visitors had a chance to walk through the building before a ribbon-cutting ceremony that began with speeches by Joseph P. Biondo, the firm’s chief executive, chief investment officer and portfolio manager; Carl Wagner III, a partner; and Joseph R. Biondo, founder of Biondo Investment Advisors.
The event included a prayer by the Rev. Msgr. Kieran McHugh, former president of Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta, and the presentation of a certificate of recognition to the firm on behalf of Rep. Thomas Kean Jr., R-7.
The firm’s main office is in Milford, Pa.
Joseph P. Biondo attended Pope John while living in Milford. He later moved to Sparta.
“When I moved here, I knew a ton of people. I sort of had a natural community,” he said.
The expansion of the firm from Milford to Sparta has resulted in a great deal of growth that Biondo said is a direct result of the Sparta community and surrounding areas. “The last five years, all our growth has come from this office.”
The decision to open a bigger building came from this rapid growth.
“When we opened that office, we underestimated how fast we were going to grow,” he said.
The lot next door to its previous building became available and the firm decided to go for it. “We had to be a little bit bold,” he added.
His father and founder of the firm, Joseph R. Biondo, was put in charge of the building project.
“He absolutely loves building and architecture,” said the younger Biondo, who is very pleased with the result of his father’s efforts. “He had a vision and he executed on the vision and we couldn’t be happier that the space is the way it is.”
Positive for Sparta
Deputy Mayor Neill Clark said the Biondo building and the expansion of the business is positive for Sparta.
The township’s biggest challenge is deciding what residents want Sparta to look like in the future, he said. “All towns struggle when there’s new development with aesthetics.”
Although the Art Deco style of the building is different from traditional Sparta architecture, it’s a perfect fit for the community, he said. “It’s a beautiful building. It’s very tastefully done.”
Clark also said the firm’s expansion is positive for the local economy.
Unlike big chain businesses, Biondo Investment Advisors customers are residents of the area. “This isn’t some big Wall Street bank. This is local people investing in their community,” he said.
The building was designed with plenty of room to grow. Biondo expects to hire more staff soon and anticipates that the expansion will continue well into the future.
“My history is that we’ll grow into this space, probably faster than I think,” he added.