Founded in 1996 by Iris Orsini, HandyGuides have become an invaluable tool in helping consumers by making their excursions more enjoyable and errands more productive. Touted as the only free handheld GPS, these colorful, expertly illustrated guides help area visitors and residents navigate roads, find parking with ease, and locate local stores and restaurants, as well as gas stations, banks, gift shops, urgent care centers, parks, and more.
The first HandyGuide was designed for the Paramus Route 17 corridor. Orsini, whose busy schedule simply did not allow for the time-consuming chore of U-turning on Route 17, developed an illustrated guide for herself and for friends. The guide became so popular that Orsini began creating attractive, pocket-sized durable maps commercially for other shopping areas, including Route 4, Route 23, and for commerce districts of nearby towns including Ridgewood, Westwood, Ramsey and other parts of Bergen County. These soon became a fixture among residents and are as popular today as they are reliable.
In addition to directing consumers to commercial zones, HandyGuides also helps people find their way around hospitals, college campuses, parks, and hotel facilities. The HandyGuide for Ramapo College in Mahwah shows the exact location of every classroom and administrative office. The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Paramus NJ as well as the Hilton in Wood Cliff Lake have commissioned their own HandyGuides describing nearby local attractions, stores, and other resources as a courtesy to their appreciative guests. Most importantly, HandyGuides bring retailers and consumers together as the ultimate resource for today’s busy residents finding their way along overdeveloped highways.
Each HandyGuide is the size of a business envelope and can fit easily into a pocketbook, car console, or briefcase, making it easy to take along on outings. The guides are easy to read and color-coded and include the addresses and phone numbers for all area locations. Most every business is listed. Thousands of HandyGuides are distributed for free each year–at participating stores, at literature kiosks, and through frequent mailings to new residents. HandyGuides make excursions easier and safer for seniors, and they may also be downloaded online at www.HandyGuide.com, making them especially useful for users of smart phones and tablets.
Celebrating more than 15 years of service to Bergen County businesses and residents, HandyGuides have become a recognizable resource among long-time residents as well as visitors to a given area. Custom product line offers an infinite number of applications to various commercial needs. HandyGuides can be created for any area and on any subject.
The HandyGuide philosophy includes a commitment to quality products and services as well as constant innovation in its product line and in its production technology. Employee-owned expansion plans are now being considered, and all inquiries are welcome.