Jeff Colonna opens bottle redemption center in Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 February 2020 at 8:51 am

J-Co makes renovations to former Dan’s Cans

Photos by Tom Rivers: Jeff Colonna stands outside J-Co’s Can and Bottle Return, which is having a grand opening celebration this week.

MEDINA – Jeff Colonna this week is celebrating the grand opening of his new can and bottle redemption business at 718 S. Main St.

Colonna made significant renovations to the site, which was operated as Dan’s Cans for about seven years. Dan Gilhooly opened that business in 2009 and ran it until he passed away on Oct. 11, 2016.

Colonna acquired the property and he said it is a prime location in the village, with parking that makes it easy to get in and out. Employees can also easily see customers when they pull in. If they honk, Colonna said he and his crew will gladly help bring in customers’ bags of bottles and cans.

Colonna, 36, wants to run a clean operation that doesn’t reek of strong smells. He put in new stainless steel tables and a sorting tray that are easy to wipe down. The tables are connected to a drain and the frequent cleanings will fight odors.

“I don’t want it smelly or sticky,” he said.

J-Co’s employee Tim Ward sorts through cans that were dropped off on Wednesday at the site at 718 S. Main St. Jeff Colonna, left, is owner of the business.

He also put up a wall to separate the intake area with the sorting that goes on in the back. The cans and bottles are separated into about 50 different groups depending on the distributor, size of the cans and bottles, and color of the glass.

This week J-Co’s has offered an extra penny for the cans and bottles, for six cents. Colonna will keep that rate for firefighters, police officers and veterans.

Colonna is pleased with the steady business so far at the site. Customers bring in varying quantities of cans and bottles, from 8 to 10 to over 3,000.

Colonna also owns a driveway sealing business and works with his father, Rich Colonna, in a rental property enterprise.

Tim Ward and Jeff Colonna work together on Wednesday. Colonna put in new stainless-steel tables and sorting trays, as well as other upgrades. He wants the site to be as clean as possible.

Return to top