Source: Newsday

Read the full article on Newsday

Source: Newsday

Read the full article on Newsday

Source: Newsday

Read the full article on Newsday

Source: Newsday

Read the full article on Newsday

J Group Corp. has acquired the Holiday Inn Plainview Long Island, an iconic landmark hotel located on the Long Island Expressway Service Road, for $21 million.

Just ahead of the holiday season, there’s a lot to celebrate at the Holiday Inn Plainview Long Island, which has been acquired by a company that plans to invest in renovating rooms and other facilities.

J Group Corp. has acquired the Holiday Inn Plainview Long Island, an iconic landmark hotel located on the Long Island Expressway Service Road, for $21 million, giving the company its second high-profile hotel along with the Hyatt Wall Street. Laurel Hollow-based J Group Corp., the umbrella company for various companies that own and operate hotels, shopping centers and gas stations, acquired the prime property from Hangtian Capital, a group of hotel owners from China. J Group did the deal with half cash on hand and half financing.

“This hotel has the most convenient location on Long Island,” said J Group Corp. Chairman Shudh Parkash Singh.

The 127-room hotel, with the biggest banquet rooms of any Holiday Inn in Nassau County, is located at Exit 46, near companies such as Canon, Geico, Capital One, Bank of America, Mattress Firm, Leviton, and Grumman Studios.

It also includes Bistro 495 restaurant, a sports bar, a 24-hour fitness center, an outdoor swimming pool, cocktail rooms, and a banquet hall. In addition to welcoming guests, it hosts corporate conferences, reunions, receptions, celebrations and meetings in its eight meeting rooms totaling 6,572 square feet for up to 250 guests. The facilities include AV equipment and catering, all at a centrally located venue. The Food and Beverage department of the hotel is operated by Remo & Priyanka, well known names in the decor and event planning business.

The company is investing in improvements on the Holiday Inn as well, with work slated to start after the holidays and be completed by the end of January.

“We are making a lot of changes. We are renovating the restaurant, bar, banquet and meeting space,” Sartaj Singh, president of Holiday Inn Plainview and Shudh Parkash’s son, said of the full-service hotel. “Our goal is to give the best amenities to guests out of any hotel on Long Island with the most competitive rates.”

They are also renovating rooms at the hotel on a four-acre property, visible from the Long Island Expressway.

“The rooms &and suites will be fitted with new amenities like 65” Smart TV’s, wine coolers, etc.,” Sartaj Singh added, “We’re renovating the Presidential and Bridal suites along with 4 Junior suites.”

He said they hired “The Management Empire” as the management company as required by IHG. In addition, they have a professional team of managers in place at the hotel consisting of General Manager, Director of Sales, Director of Catering, Directors for the front desk and housekeeping. A dedicated team of four engineers works around the clock to immediately fix any problems in the hotel and ensure the comfort of the guests.

The centrally located Holiday Inn is used by a large number of business travelers, as well as leisure travelers and family visitors this time of year.

“When it comes to holidays and Christmas time, families living nearby use the hotel a lot,” said Vice President Simren Kaur, a sister of Sartaj Singh. “Family members like parents, brothers and sisters stay here and party. They have relatives living nearby in Plainview, Hicksville, Bethpage and other communities. We are only five minutes away from the Plainview Gurdwara – Sikh Temple. People do wedding ceremonies in the temple and stay in our hotel due to the proximity.”

Shudh Parkash Singh said he first saw Holiday Inn Plainview many years ago, and was immediately impressed by it, including its location, even from a distance.

“As a new immigrant working 12 to 16 hours a day I’d go to city driving on the Long Island Expressway,” Shudh Parkash Singh said. ” Every time I passed by exit 46 I saw this sign and admired the location. I never thought I would own it one day. I thank God for His countless blessings.”

He added that hospitality is a key part of Indian culture, which made the hospitality industry a natural fit.

“Internationally, India is known for its hospitality,” Shudh Parkash Singh added. “We are a culturally hospitable community. This hospitality business naturally attracted us. You’ll see a lot of Indians all across America owning hotels. We love this business.”

The company also developed and owns what Shudh Prakash Singh says is the first ethnic South Asian shopping center in the country, the Kundan Mall in Hicksville.

“There was a need for that. There wasn’t any place where you could go and get everything,” Shudh Parkash Singh said. “Our vision was to have everything South Asian, Indian, Pakistani, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, in one place. It’s a South Asian shopping center.”

It is a South Asian Shopping Center visited by South Asians not just from within Long Island, but also from across Tri-State area.

“It has become a community hub. Back home countries are divided and hold some animosity with each other due to divisive political policies. It gives me a real pleasure that the Mall named after my Dad is bringing people closer hailing from the Indian subcontinent,” Shudh Prakash Singh said. “You see them wearing jeans, Burqas, Sarees and skirts while working, shopping, eating and laughing together under one roof. I feel it’s a tribute to my respected father who was a spiritual man and loved everyone regardless of race or religion.”

The area is home to a large and growing South Asian population, which has led to numerous stores catering to that community. Shudh Parkash Singh is the first Chairman of the first Indian American business council established by Nassau County.

“This area was developing and already there were a lot of individual Indians stores on Broadway with no parking,” Shudh Parkash Singh added. “Our vision was to create something where you find everything under one roof from groceries to jewelry to food, restaurants to clothing.”

The shopping center has five restaurants, clothing stores, salons, and the nation’s biggest Indian supermarket Apna Bazaar as its anchor tenant.

The hotel is already attracting events from Indian companies, such as Tata, an Indian jewelry store holding a trade show. For decades, this hotel has been popular for trade shows, meetings, and parties due to its centralized location.

They found out the property was available through a broker but had seen it many times before, in part thanks to its large sign visible from the Long Island Expressway.

They are planning a grand opening after the renovation is complete at the beginning of next year.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Town of Oyster Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Nassau Republican Chairman Joe Cairo are expected to attend the event, which also will include dozens of vendors such as DJs, decorators, photographers, event planners and caterers serving complimentary food to the invited guests.

“There’ll be wine tasting and live bands playing music to make the grand opening a joyful festive event,” Shudh Parkash Singh said. “I am excited the First Lady from India will most likely be joining us not just as dear friend of family, also to grace the occasion with her grand presence as our special Guest of Honor.”

New York: Indian National Overseas Congress-I unanimously elected Shudh Parkash Singh as the National President of INOC USA. He will serve as president for a second time.

The election was conducted at a meeting attended by national executive committee and chapter committees at Richie Rich Restaurant in Queens, New York on May 27

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi congratulated the new president. Dr. Karan Singh, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Dept of AICC in his official letter congratulated INOC USA for a unanimous election and complimented Shudh, noting that ‘This is a recognition of the valuable services that you have rendered to the INOC (I) over many years. This being the only recognized organization by the Indian National Congress in the US, its functioning has special significance.’

The First Lady of Punjab Mrs. Preneet Kaur expressed her happiness at the election and hoped that ‘Shudh will continue to work with thesame dedication and serve as the goodwill ambassador of Punjab to spread the word on the good work being done by the Punjab government at a rapid pace.’

Sunil Jakhar, president of Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee said that ‘Shudh hails from my constituency. We are proud of him.’

Ashok Tanwar, president of HPCC observed, ‘our party needs good brilliant leaders like Shudh Ji.’

At the meeting, Punjab Chapter president Gurmit Singh Mulanpur proposed his name and Rajender Dichpally, national general secretary of INOC seconded it. All chapter presidents and senior leaders gave a resounding yes to the motion. It was unprecedented in the history of INOC that a president was elected unanimously.

In his acceptance speech Shudh reiterated his commitment to the party and loyalty to its leaders Dr. Karan Singh and Rahul Gandhi.

Shudh thanked all members for their support and said that he will work hard to build a stronger Overseas Congress. He said that all new EC members and office bearers will be appointed in a couple of weeks after due discussions.

The new president also appointed Gurmeet Singh Gill as chairman of Disciplinary Committee and said that all issues regarding indiscipline in Overseas Congress will be dealt with strongly.

‘My main goal will be to coordinate NRIs and Govt of Punjab so the needy farmers can be helped and the poorest children can be educated. I wish to work closely with leaders specially Capt. Amarinder Singh to assist him in bringing the change he is working for. Punjabis all over the world are looking for it,’ Shudh said.

Dichpally spoke on the need to build a stronger INOC(I) to counter Overseas BJP and spread the message of the Congress Party amongst the diaspora.

It was decided to hold a major event for inauguration of the new team.

‘No one else here in US has more experience or capability to be our leader. We support him unequivocally,’ said Ravi Chopra, national vice president.

Kalathil Varghese announced that the entire Kerala Chapter with 16 sub chapters nationwide admire the leadership style of Shudh Ji. ‘We all want him to be the President.’

Born and brought up in Abohar, Punjab, Shudh completed high school with top honors. He did his mechanical engineering at Chandigarh College of Engineering. He continued his education in the US and acquired different licenses and certificates from institutions including Stony Brook University. Students elected him the president of the College Students’ Council for two consecutive years.

Living in New York over 30 years, Shudh has earned an impeccable reputation of a genuinely nice man, a compassionate leader and a successful businessman. He belongs to many of the Indian American Associations in the United States.

He is founder president of NRIs for Better India. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation, New York.

Shudh’s ultimate goal in life is to work full time to improve the lives of the poorest in the world, utilizing all of his abilities and resources. He lives on Long Island with his wife, Surjit and three children; Sukhmani, Simren and Sartaj.

Shudh works as the CEO of the Jasuja group of companies called the JGroup, which is engaged primarily in real estate development in US and India. The group also operates a chain of gas stations, convenient stores, repair shops and restaurants. JGroup recently developed an indoor Indian shopping center known as Kundan Galleria in Hicksville, New York, the first South Asian Shopping Galleria in the entire Northeastern United States. In recognition, Shudh was honored by the Indian Association of Long Island with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award presented by the Comptroller of New York State, Thomas DiNapoli.

He is currently serving as chairman of Nassau County Indian American Economic Advisory Committee.

Shudh has served as chairman, senior vice president, vice president and EC Member of INOC since its launch by Sonia Gandhi in New York 17 years ago. In 2011, he was appointed chief coordinator by the PPCC President Maharaja Amarinder Singh at a special ceremony in India.

He received honors from Union Cabinet Minister of India Ambika Soni for his leadership in making \”Chalo Punjab\” campaign a super success.

In 1995, he received Achievers Award from the prestigious ‘National Association of Life Underwriters.’ In 1996, at an international conference held in California, he was honored with the ‘Management Leaders Award,’ saluting his accomplishments in management.

Washington, DC based Business Advisory Council selected him for the 2003 Business Man of the Year award which he declined.

He also sat on the board of Directors of LIGRA and other Chambers of Commerce. In 2014, he was presented a ‘Gold Medal of Peace’ by The Gandhi Global Family at a special function in New York. The only other American recipient of this award is former US President, Bill Clinton.

He is the founder of the Kundan & Santosh Jasuja Foundation, a charitable organization named after his parents, which supports various social and charitable programs in US and India. For more than a decade, KSJ Foundation served fresh Indian vegetarian food to the homeless in the Trinity Church of Patchogue, New York. They also donate food and funds to the Interfaith Nutrition Network that feeds daily about 500 people on Long Island, New York.

In 1996 Shudh started the first scholarship for the under privileged students at the Govt. Senior Secondary School in his home town Abohar in Punjab. In 2001, he started a bigger scholarship program near the holy city of Amritsar at Guru Tegh Bahadur School, Khankot.

In 2003 his family also funded a project to build a 36 room Dharamshala (free lodging) in the Hoshiarpur district of India. In 2006, KSJ Foundation started Mata Santosh Free Medical Dispensary at Abohar. In 2008 the Foundation funded for electric generator and drinking water storage tanks in the Senior Secondary School Abohar.

KSJ Foundation also supports the Advance Cancer Research Foundation, New York. In 2017 Shudh funded for “Santosh Mahila Silai Kender” (Women’s Tailoring Training Center) to Sewa Bharti, in Abohar. In 2009, The Indian Panorama honored Shudh for his philanthropic contributions at gala dinner reception in New York City.

At JGroup, hotel investment and hospitality asset management sit at the heart of our business. Through our affiliation with Navika Capital Group — an independent commercial real estate and hospitality investment firm that owns and operates over 80 hotels nationwide under Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and other globally recognized brands — we bring deep, institutional-grade hospitality expertise to every hotel investment we are involved in.

“Effective hotel asset management is not just about keeping a property operational — it is about maximizing the long-term value of the asset while delivering a consistent, high-quality experience for every guest.” — JGroup

What Is Hotel Asset Management?

Hotel asset management is the process of overseeing and optimizing the performance of a hotel property on behalf of its owner — covering everything from day-to-day operations, revenue management, and guest experience, through financial reporting, capital planning, and brand compliance. A hotel asset manager acts as the owner’s representative — ensuring that the management company, operating team, and brand partner are all delivering against agreed performance targets and that the asset is generating the maximum possible return on investment.

Why Hotel Asset Management Matters for Real Estate Investors

For real estate investors considering hotel acquisitions, effective asset management is one of the most critical factors in determining investment performance. Unlike other commercial real estate asset classes — where income is largely determined by lease terms and tenant quality — hotel performance is driven by daily operational decisions, revenue management, brand positioning, and guest experience quality.

•  Active asset management drives RevPAR growth and revenue optimization across the hotel portfolio
• Financial oversight ensures accurate reporting, cost control, and maximum return on investment
• Brand compliance management protects asset value and maintains guest experience standards

 

Key Components of Effective Hotel Asset Management

Effective hotel asset management covers several interconnected disciplines — from revenue management and financial oversight to capital planning and brand compliance. The best asset managers combine deep operational knowledge with rigorous financial discipline — ensuring that every decision is driven by data, market intelligence, and a clear understanding of the owner’s investment objectives.

How JGroup Approaches Hotel Asset Management

Through our affiliation with Navika Capital Group and our direct operation of Hyatt Centric Wall Street in Lower Manhattan and Holiday Inn Long Island — JGroup brings hands-on hotel asset management expertise to every hospitality investment in our portfolio. Our approach combines rigorous financial oversight, active operational engagement, and a genuine commitment to guest experience quality — ensuring that every hotel asset we are involved with performs to its full potential.

Choosing the Right Hotel Asset Management Partner

For real estate investors evaluating hotel acquisitions, selecting the right asset management partner is one of the most important decisions you will make. Look for a partner with direct hotel operating experience, a proven track record across multiple brands and asset classes, institutional-grade financial reporting capabilities, and a genuine alignment of interests with the property owner.

Hotel asset management is not a passive activity — it requires continuous engagement, deep market knowledge, and a genuine commitment to operational excellence. At JGroup, our 25-year track record in hospitality investment and our affiliation with Navika Capital Group’s national hotel portfolio of 80+ properties give us the depth of experience and the institutional relationships to be a credible and capable partner for hotel real estate investors across New York and the United States.

At JGroup, we have been investing in Long Island real estate for over 25 years — developing landmark destinations like Kundan Galleria in Hicksville and operating full-service hotels across Nassau County. Here are five reasons why we believe Long Island remains one of the best real estate markets in New York.

“Long Island’s combination of strong population growth, diverse commercial demand, and proximity to New York City makes it one of the most compelling real estate markets in the United States.” — JGroup

Strong Population Growth & Commercial Demand

Long Island’s population has grown consistently over the past two decades — driving strong and sustained demand for retail, hospitality, commercial office, and mixed-use real estate across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. This population growth has created a deep and diverse pool of consumers, tenants, and business operators that supports commercial real estate values across the region.

More Reasons Long Island Stands Out for Real Estate Investment

Beyond population growth, Long Island offers a number of structural advantages that make it a compelling market for commercial real estate investment — from its proximity to New York City and its well-developed transportation infrastructure, to its diverse and resilient local economy.

• Proximity to New York City — easy access via LIRR, major highways, and airports
• Diverse economy spanning hospitality, retail, healthcare, and professional services
• Strong hospitality market — Nassau County consistently attracts business and leisure travelers

 

Established Hospitality & Retail Sectors

Long Island’s hospitality and retail sectors have demonstrated consistent performance across multiple economic cycles — supported by strong corporate demand, tourism, and a large local residential population. From full-service hotels in Nassau County to major retail destinations in Hicksville and Garden City — Long Island’s commercial real estate market offers investors a range of asset classes with proven track records.

 Infrastructure & Accessibility

Long Island’s transportation infrastructure — including the Long Island Rail Road, major expressways, and proximity to JFK and LaGuardia airports — makes it one of the most accessible suburban markets in the United States. This accessibility drives commercial demand, supports property values, and makes Long Island an attractive location for businesses looking to serve the broader New York metropolitan area.

Growing South Asian & Multicultural Community

Long Island is home to one of the fastest-growing South Asian communities in the United States — creating strong demand for culturally focused retail, dining, and professional services. JGroup’s development of Kundan Galleria in Hicksville — the first South Asian ethnic shopping center in America — was a direct response to this growing community and remains one of the most visited South Asian retail destinations in the Northeast.

Long-Term Investment Value

Long Island commercial real estate has demonstrated long-term capital appreciation across multiple economic cycles — supported by constrained land supply, strong population fundamentals, and consistent commercial demand. For long-term investors focused on capital preservation and sustainable income generation, Long Island remains one of the most compelling markets in the New York metropolitan area.

At JGroup, our 25-year investment track record in Long Island real estate reflects our conviction in the market’s long-term fundamentals. From commercial property development and hotel operations to retail destinations and property management through our TME division — we remain committed to Long Island as a core part of our multi-industry portfolio across New York.

When Kundan Galleria opened its doors in Hicksville, Long Island, it became the first South Asian ethnic shopping center of its kind in the United States. Built to serve the thriving South Asian diaspora of the New York metropolitan area — it quickly became far more than a shopping destination. It became a cultural institution, a community hub, and a symbol of South Asian entrepreneurial vision in America.

“Kundan Galleria was never just about retail. It was about creating a space where the South Asian community of New York could come together, celebrate their culture, and build their businesses.” — Shudh Singh, President & Founder, JGroup

A Vision That Changed American Retail

When Kundan Galleria first opened, there was nothing like it anywhere in the country. The concept was simple but powerful — bring together South Asian restaurants, fashion retailers, jewelry stores, and professional services under one roof in the heart of Long Island. The response from the community was immediate and overwhelming. Families traveled from across New York to shop, dine, and connect at a place that truly felt like home.

What Kundan Galleria Means for the South Asian Community

Today, Kundan Galleria continues to serve thousands of visitors from across New York and beyond — offering a diverse mix of authentic South Asian restaurants, traditional and designer fashion, jewelry, and professional services. Its cultural significance extends far beyond retail — it is a place where generations gather, traditions are celebrated, and the South Asian community of New York comes together.

• First South Asian ethnic shopping center in America — located in Hicksville, Long Island
• Home to South Asian restaurants, fashion, jewelry, and professional services
• Featured in Newsday, Stardust Magazine, Radio Zindagi, and JusPunjabi

Kundan Galleria stands today as one of JGroup’s most enduring achievements — not because of its commercial success, but because of the community it has served and the cultural landmark it has become. For Shudh Singh and JGroup, it remains a powerful reminder that the best businesses are built not just for profit, but for the people they serve.