By Norine Longo
Mike Levin is a familiar face in the ownership and operation of area businesses, having worked in a family-owned liquor business and having owned Precious Pets over the years.
Precious Pets closed after Levin sold it and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to return to his first love, limousines.
Levin Limousine saw its start when Levin, 52, of Pennington and co-owner and wife, Mindy Levin, built their way up from one car some 10 years ago to a full-line limousine and transportation service.
He started by handing out flyers door-to-door. Interested customers began calling and requesting the service. After getting two calls about two jobs at the same time, he expanded and bought another car to add to his fleet, which is now at 25 vehicles.
Some of the transportation service’s vehicles include a 1956 Bentley, 1964 Rolls Royce, 8-, 10- and 14-passenger stretch limousines, a 10-passenger Chrysler 300, a 10-passenger Jaguar S, a 14-passenger BMW X5, 18-passenger Cadillac Escalade, 22-, 30- and 36-passenger Limo Coach and 14- and 24-passenger vans.
New for 2009 are a 10-passenger, hot pink H3 and 20-passenger Lincoln Navigator.
Levin Limousine specializes in a number of services including pick ups and wait-and-returns at airports, train stations and ports. The most in-demand events that request their services include nights on the town, weddings and proms.
Recently, the service has been introduced to clients at assisted living facilities, customers going to and coming from doctor’s appointments and people who need accompaniment to run errands.
“I enjoy providing people with a reliable service,” said Levin. “There’s no place we wouldn’t go and nothing we wouldn’t do.”
Levin Limousine operates out of Levin’s home in Pennington.
“I can get a call at 1 a.m. and I have the ability to just roll over and get to work,” he said.
Levin said Pennington is a great location because it is centrally located and supplies easy access to a lot of major roads, cities and destinations.
He said the real reward comes from getting to meet people from the everyday person to business executives and take them places.
“You never know what connection you’re going to make,” Levin said.
Often, Levin shares his business experience and stories with local schools teaching or specializing in business, which is something he said he would like to participate in more.
Levin also owns Levin Courier, a business that he operates on the side, dedicated to delivering documents, papers and subpoenas.
Levin has lived in the Pennington area for 25 years. He has a daughter named Carly, 22, who attends Montclair University and hopes to become a teacher in the Pennington area.
Levin Limousine operates by appointment. For more information, contact Mike Levin at (866) 554-0044. On the Web: levinlimousine.com.
