Growing up in the family furniture business, Jason Maldonado learned early on that success and longevity come down to a few simple principles: hard work, treating people well, and standing behind your products and services.
Those values were instilled in Jason and his brother, Adonis, by his parents, Hector and Juanita Maldonado, who started J & H Dinettes and Upholstery in downtown Freehold 57 years ago. Today, Jason and Hector continue the family tradition, focusing on quality craftsmanship and unmatched customer service. That keeps generations of customers coming back.
Even at 94 years old — a milestone the family patriarch will celebrate on July 15, 2026 — Hector still regularly visits the store to greet familiar longtime clients. Juanita, who passed away two years ago, continues to be a guiding influence on the business and the family behind it.
“My mom and dad always stressed the importance of hard work, responsibility, and taking care of your family,” Jason said.
J & H Dinettes & Upholstery blends old-school service with custom design
Those lessons started early. As a child, Jason spent weekends and summers sweeping floors, helping with deliveries, assisting customers, and learning every aspect of the business firsthand.
He especially admired his father, a former professional boxer whom Jason describes as “a smart man with a lot of common sense and someone who pulls no punches.”
“My dad is the nicest guy in the world — unless you cross him,” he said with a laugh.
J & H Dinettes has evolved significantly over the decades, while staying true to its roots. The business specializes in custom upholstery, tables, chairs, sofas, draperies, cornices, valances, and is a sought-after destination for residential and commercial booths and banquette seating.
Hector purchased the company’s first building in 1969, at the former site of Sweet Lew’s Cafe. Later, in the late 1970s or early 1980s, he purchased the current showroom at 21 South Street, formerly Pinky’s Baby Goods Store. Jason says the building still features original tin ceilings and a vintage dumbwaiter operated with ropes and pulleys, that continues to function today.
A second location on Marcy Street, now used as the company’s warehouse and factory, was added in the early 2000s. Today, the business serves residential and commercial customers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Like many retailers, J & H Dinettes has adapted to major industry changes over the years, especially with the rise of online shopping, tariffs, and higher material and transportation costs.
J & H Dinettes & Upholstery blends old-school service with custom design
“There were 10 or 12 manufacturers that we used to work with,” Jason explained. “Now we only work with a handful of American, Canadian, and Amish companies to ensure we always provide high quality products.
Still, the company has continued to thrive thanks to its reputation for unique, high-quality custom work and dependable service. Jason credits the business’s success to loyal customers and longtime upholsterers and carpenters who take great pride in their craftsmanship.
“You have to employ people who care, who have pride in their work, and who are easy to deal with,” he said. “We make things work because everyone involved feels like family!”
That reputation has led to high-profile projects as well. J & H Dinettes recently created custom furniture for two upcoming Netflix productions, including the hostage thriller “Rabbit Rabbit”, starring Adam Driver and Regina Hall, as well as “The 99ers”, a series about the U.S. women’s soccer team’s groundbreaking 1999 World Cup victory that changed the face of women’s sports.
Restaurant owner Rob Kash has worked with Jason on custom-made furniture for his 11 restaurants for nearly 30 years. The first restaurant was the Metro Café in Freehold, an upscale sushi bar, as well as a martini and wine bar.
“Jason builds beautiful pieces,” Kash said. He has created traditional booths, banquettes, benches, tables, chairs, and custom upholstery on bar stools, and all of the work is impeccable. I would highly recommend him. He is great to deal with for furniture and if you need repairs. I can’t say enough good things about him and his business.”
Jason also takes pride in being part of the Freehold community, a town he says is filled with history, personality, and momentum.
“People know Freehold because it’s Bruce Springsteen’s hometown, but the borough also has a lot of character,” he said. “There’s great leadership here, and the town keeps growing and renovating.”
He fondly remembers working with Bruce Springsteen’s late mother, Adele, who purchased a kitchen set from the store years ago, while she was living in Fair Haven. “She was wonderful to work with,” Jason said.
He is equally excited about the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music at Monmouth University, which is expected to become a major destination for fans and visitors alike. It opens this month.
Freehold itself continues to evolve, with new mixed-use developments bringing retail businesses and apartments together downtown. Yet, despite all the growth, Jason says the town has managed to hold onto its hometown charm.
He points to nearby breakfast favorite Sweet Lew’s Cafe as an example. According to Jason, some customers happily drive more than 20 miles just to eat there.
“When you ask why they pass all those other places, they say it’s because of the character and charm,” he said.
That same sense of consistency and trust is what Jason believes has kept J & H Dinettes thriving for nearly six decades.
“When I was a kid, we were the new business in town, and here we are all these years later,” he said. “Our residential and commercial clients know we’re not going anywhere. We’ll continue giving them the same quality products and customer service for many years to come.”
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Jason says passion and preparation are essential. “Study every aspect of the business and make sure it’s really what you want to do,” he advised. “You have to have a deep passion for it.”
At first, he admits, he wasn’t sure he had the patience to work directly with customers. But once he gained confidence and discovered how much he enjoyed the creative and personal side of the business, everything clicked. “I realized I was exactly where I was supposed to be,” he said, “and I plan to be here for a long time to come.”
For More Information:
J & H Dinettes and Upholstery
J & H Dinettes & Upholstery, Inc.
21 South Street
Freehold, N.J. 07728
P: 732-431-3555
F: 732-845-1542
Email: jhdinette@gmail.com
Website: JHDinettes.com
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
