The Major League Baseball regular season may be winding down, but a different version of the same sport is underway in Voorhees.
That's because USA Prime Northeast, a baseball and softball training facility that offers camps, classes and clinics in both sports, opened at 253 Terrace Boulevard in September.
Larry Yurkonis, director of baseball operations for USA Prime Northeast and a long-time resident of Gibbsboro and Voorhees, told 70and73.com that about 25 staff members and coaches are dedicated to helping players who come through the business to reach their full potential.
"We meet as a group every Monday and go over our curriculum like you would at any school. We have lesson plans that are followed," Yurkonis said.
"I have found, in order to capture the youth and their imaginations and their attention, it's better to use younger people who can relate better… I have a guy who plays in Canada on a professional team and coaches for me (who is) 24, and the 16- to 17-year-olds to relate to him rather than trying to listen to me drone on about baseball at 46."
Yurkonis continued: "We have had players come to us and say, "Hey, I really want to go to Rutgers." So, I will reach out to the Rutgers coaches and say, "Hey, what do you need to see out of (this player)?" Being in this system, I can get that player that opportunity."
About 80% of the 10,000-square-foot facility consists of batting cages and pitching mounds, and the other 20% is office space, according to Yurkonis. In 2025, the business will likely develop some of the land surrounding the facility to allow for more training space, according to Yurkonis.
Like its other location in Westampton New Jersey, USA Prime Northeast is open all year, except in August to allow for players to vacation with their families, and November, to allow for league tryouts. Hours are 3 to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday. Other times are available by appointment. See the website and Facebook page.
About Comings and Goings
Businesses appear and disappear, it seems, in the blink of an eye. Our feature, Comings and Goings, chronicles the changes. Know of a business coming to or going from Cherry Hill, Evesham/Marlton, Medford, Medford Lakes, Moorestown, Mount Laurel or Voorhees? Send an email to contactus@70and73.com with the details. This column is offered as news. If your business is interested in advertising on 70and73.com, send email to the same email address.
- Other arrivals and departures:
- Â If the parking signs for Maggie Moose Bakery and Gourmet Gift Boutique at 185 Route 70 in Medford are any indication, the days of customers potentially being covered with frosting and sprinkles will be over when the bakery and boutique closes for good by September 30. It is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, its Facebook page stated.
-  Illuminating Design, located at 931 State Route 73 (the Galleria at Marlton), will hold its grand opening on Wednesday, September 25, at 1 p.m., according to its Facebook page. The store sheds new light on home décor by providing consulting and design services on lighting fixtures and equipment and will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and will be closed Sundays, according to its Yelp page.
- Tacoria provides Mexican food such as tacos, burritos and quesadillas at its Marlton Square, 300 State Route 73, its website stated. The opened September 14 and hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.Â
- Chaava opened September 13 within the Village at Cambridge Crossing Shopping Center at 4310 Dearborn Circle in Mount Laurel. The menu includes Boba tea and smoothies (plus desserts, according to its Facebook page). The eatery opened September 13 and is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.
- Kooma, an Asian fusion and martini bar located in the Cherry Hill Mall, offers many types of martinis that are shaken, stirred as well as sushi prepared a variety of ways, its website stated. The restaurant opened September 12 and is open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays and 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
- Hello Sugar offers body waxes and other skin softening services at Marlton Crossing, 101 State Route 73, according to its website. The salon opened on September 7 and is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, 12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
- Mandarin Fig and Wellness, located in the Moorestown Mall lets customers relax, rejuvenate and restore their well-being via massage therapy, aroma therapy and more, its Instagram page indicated. The business, which opened in mid-September, is open Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Palnadu opened September 1, according to its Facebook page. The restaurant is located within Springdale Plaza, 1900 Greentree Road, and offers South Indian tastes such as curry, kabab, gobi and samosa. The restaurant is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays through Sundays and is open for dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 5 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays and is closed Tuesdays.
