John Wick Comes to Bay Head

Bob Ayega is returning to Bay Head after almost 30 years. The former resident is excited about his new venture, John Wick Candles. "I decided it was time to come home," said Ayega. "Once I came up with the concept of John Wick Candles for the bathroom, I knew I wanted to open my first shop in Bay Head." The name comes from John, because they are for the bathroom, and Wick, because they are candles. These unique candles come in a small, toilet shaped holder. When the lid is open, a built-in lighter ignites the specialcandle that eliminates bathroom odors. After five minutes the lid closes automatically, snuffing out the flame. As Ayega said," It kills the odors, then kills the flame. John Wick is the perfect killer."

For Bob Ayega, this homecoming has been a long time coming. When he left Bay Head, he travelled to many places and lived his life in many different ways. For a time, because of his love of dancing, he was known as Bob Ayega, "the Boogie Man." He used to own a bar in Miami where legend has it that he was once seen killing three flies with a pencil... with a pencil! Bob Ayega was even married for a short time. He met the love of his life and settled down. Sadly, Bob Ayega lost his wife a few years ago.

"To be clear, my wife didn't die," said Ayega. "I just can't find her. No idea where she is. I was really sad when this happened, but luckily she sent me a dog after she was gone so I could grieve un-alone." Sadly, Bob Ayega lost his dog, as well. "The dog didn't die, either," said Ayega. "The son of my old boss Viggo let the dog get away. I told Viggo, I'll never forgive that kid."

Soon after the dog left, Bob Ayega started to work on his candle idea. A former colleague mockingly said to him,  "You have no wife, no dog, no home. You have nothing. Candles are all you have left." Bob Ayega took this as a challenge and decided to make his candle dream a reality.

Ayega has been staying at the Continental Hotel until his new home is ready. Locals have seen him around Bay Head and are wondering if he's really returned. He replies to them, "People keep asking if I’m back, and I haven’t really had an answer. But now, yeah, I’m thinkin' I’m back!"

The John Wick Candle Shop opened this weekend in time for the holiday season. When asked if he thinks he will have enough candles to meet the rush, Ayega replied, "Tell them all... Whoever comes, whoever it is... I’ll sell them. I’ll sell them all!" Bob Ayega believes that John Wick will make a killing in the Bay Head candle business.

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