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Welcome to Springfield Avenue

SUNDAY, MAY 20, 2012

12 NOON TO 5 PM

Celebrating its 11th Anniversary, Maplewood MayFest has grown into one of Maplewood’s largest community festivals and the Springfield Avenue Partnership’s signature event. Visitors enjoy rides, games, petting zoo, pony rides, live music, food, a classic car show and more than 100 participating vendors.

MayFest events will take place on Springfield Avenue from Indiana Street to Oberlin Street

 

Rain date: Sunday, May 27, 2012

 

Read the Press Releases

Great Food from Local Restaurants Will Highlight Maplewood MayFest

Local Bands Highlight Music Performances at Maplewood MayFest

Springfield Avenue in Maplewood to Host 11th Annual MayFest (April 20, 2012)
Classic Car Show Coming to Springfield Avenue for 11th Annual Maplewood MayFest (May 3, 2012) 

 

MayFest 2012 Entertainment Schedule

Bands and Performing Arts Demonstrations

(updated 5/3/12)

 

Download the Flyer

Maplewood Restaurant Week, March 19-25, 2012

Maplewood’s community of award winning restaurants and eclectic eateries served up fine dining, casual dining, take-out, and specialty foods sure to please. In addition, Village merchants supported Restaurant Week by offering discounts on everything from flowers, wine, gifts and cooking books to enhance your local dining experience. It’s our way of adding a little twist to the traditional Restaurant Week! Download a Merchant Coupon Card for discounts on wine, flowers and gifts during Restaurant Week.

Chick here for participating restaurants

Click here to read the press release

Restaurant Week is co-sponsored by Maplewood Village Alliance, Springfield Avenue Partnership and Maplewood Chamber of Commerce



District Business Events

Maplewood’s Springfield Avenue Partnership district businesses held events and celebrated Black History Month with their customers throughout February.

Click here to see the events held at participating businesses.

 

“An Evening of Jazz”

The Partnership sponsored “An Evening of Jazz” which featured Jackie Jones on Saturday, February 25th at Astah’s Fine Art Gallery. Ms Jones, a graduate of Newark’s High School of the Performing Arts and Rutgers University, has electrified audiences locally and internationally, performing jazz songs with stylings influenced by Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan and Nancy Wilson. Call 973-763-6011 for information.

Click here to read more about Ms. Jones

Click here to view Patrick Hilare’s beautiful photos from the event

 

iPad 2 Giveaway Promotion

Winner of iPAD2 has been selected. iPad2 co-sponsor, Park Wood Diner owner Pete Kikianis, and Partnership Board members Sheila Turner-Cartlidge and Susan Donlan are thrilled to have randomly selected a Maplewood resident winner! Not pictured is co-sponsor Topfs Pharmacy owner, David Gangeya.

 

…And the Winner is…


(Left to right) Mr. and Mrs. Cicenia of Maplewood received Betty’s iPad2 prize from Jim Nering, President, Springfield Avenue Partnership, and Pete Kikianis of the Park Wood Diner, co-sponsor of the iPad2 giveaway along with Dave Gangeya of Topf’s Pharmacy (not pictured.)

Click here to read about the winner

 

IPad2 Giveaway Sponsored By:

Park Wood Diner, 1958 Springfield Avenue, 973.313.3990
 

 

 

Topfs Pharmacy, 1885 Springfield Avenue, 973.762.3481 



Coming in Fall of 2012

Saturday, October 13 (rain date Sunday, October 14)

 

2011 Roundup Newsletter
 

 


 

Welcoming BCBL Credit Repair Solutions

1837 Springfield Avenue

On Saturday, May 19, 2012

Ribbon Cutting starting at Noon


Familiar Faces, New Places

Elite Tutoring

Saturday, April 21, 2012

1877 Springfield Avenue

Click to Read Story “Familiar Faces in New Places on Maplewood’s Springfield Avenue”

Click to read article “Springfield Avenue Welcomes Elite Tutoring in New Location”

 


 

Welcome to the District

Larel’s Hair Studio

Ribbon Cutting

Saturday, March 11, 2012

1813 Springfield Avenue

 



 

Maplewood CONGRATULATES

Express Yourself Studios

Grand Re-Opening
Saturday January 21, 2012
1877 Springfield Avenue
Click to Read Press Release and Schedule of Activities

Barista Kids Newsletter

 


 

Maplewood WELCOMES

7 Eleven

GRAND OPENING

Saturday, January 14, 2012

1712 Springfield Avenue

Ribbon Cutting with Mayor Vic De Luca starting at 12:00 pm

7-Eleven Grand Opening Scores
with Customers - Click to read more

Thernize & Associates Tax Services Celebrated Grand Opening, January 3, 2012

10 Burnett Avenue

Click to Read Story from Patch.com



Maplewood WELCOMED Walgreens

GRAND OPENING

Saturday, November 19, 2011

1635 Springfield Avenue

Walgreens Hosts Grand Opening Click Here to Read More

By Sonya Kimble-Ellis November 20, 2011



 

Springfield Avenue

Celebrating the Progress

Ten years ago, the Township of Maplewood took over jurisdiction of Springfield Avenue, part of NJ State Highway Route 124. The vision was to create a more attractive shopping district, fostering a sense of place where residents and visitors could shop, dine and enjoy. That vision included changing Springfield Avenue’s image as a dividing line in the community.

On November 8, 2011, a parade was held on Springfield Avenue celebrating the anniversary of when Mayor De Luca signed the contract with NJ Department of Transportation.

 

Click to see photos of the November 8, 2011 celebration parade

Click to read the story from Maplewood.Patch.com

Familiar Faces in New Places on Maplewood’s Springfield Avenue
Familiar Faces in New Places on Maplewood’s Springfield Avenue
MAPLEWOOD, N.J., March 16, 2012 – More than one person has done a double-take recently while walking and driving along Maplewood’s Springfield Avenue. The cause of the swiveling necks and questioning glances? Over the past months, a number of local businesses have relocated to new commercial space on the Avenue to expand and grow or to better showcase and deliver their products and services.
That’s music to the ears of Springfield Avenue Partnership’s business and commercial property owners, who have invested in streetscape and façade improvements, supplemental cleaning and greening programs and expanded marketing efforts to draw consumers to shop and dine on the Avenue. They also hope to entice new businesses as well, to enhance the district’s mix of retail stores, restaurants and food specialty purveyors, plus personal and professional services.
Partnership Board Member Sheila Turner-Cartlidge, owner of Astah’s Art Gallery (1897 Springfield Avenue) was an early trendsetter when she moved the gallery and her travel agency businesses from Burnett Avenue to Springfield Avenue in 2004. She and her husband were looking for space that would allow them to combine both in one location that provided flexible space and higher visibility. After they bought the building on Springfield Avenue, major changes to the façade, including opening up the front wall to replace a small picture window with a dramatic continuance window transformed the local streetscape in dramatic fashion. “We wanted to change attitudes and ideas about Springfield Avenue and Maplewood,” Turner-Cartlidge noted. “People didn’t think you could find or afford this type of space and exposure locally; now there are lots of great new businesses finding their place on the Avenue.”
Express Yourself Studios, owned by Simone Anthony-Brown and husband Rodney Brown, opened in 2008 at 1912 Springfield Avenue and recently relocated to 1877 Springfield Avenue. Art classes for adults, children and teens, plus birthday parties, art events and special workshops such as Cocktails & Canvas and Coffee & Canvas Workshops for adults and Painting-N-Pajamas and Pizza & Pottery for toddlers and children will continue to be offered. However, the larger quarters at Express Yourself Studio’s new location, near the busy intersection of Prospect Avenue, offers additional space for expanded offerings. Express Yourself Studios now provide its patrons with a separate birthday party room, additional workshop offerings for families, older children and teens, a completely handicap accessibility, and a larger restroom facility complete with a changing table.
“This is our first business and we’ve enjoyed the community, so when we found ourselves needing additional space, we knew we absolutely wanted to remain in Maplewood and on Springfield Avenue,” said Anthony-Brown.   “We’re pretty excited about the move,” added Rodney Brown.
“The past few years have been challenging times for small businesses, but Springfield Avenue has weathered the downturn pretty well,” noted Maplewood Mayor Vic DeLuca, a Partnership board member. “We are happy to have new businesses expanding on and relocating to the Avenue. There is still more to do and more is being done. The good news is that business owners believe in the vitality of the Springfield Avenue shopping district. I urge all Maplewood residents to “look local first” when thinking about your purchases,” Mayor De Luca concluded.
Among the familiar faces in new spaces on Springfield Avenue you’ll find Elite Tutoring, relocated to 1877 Springfield Avenue (next to Express Yourself Studios). Top Hat & Tails moved down and across the Avenue in 2011 to 1856 Springfield Avenue. Owner Durand Howard moved his business from just beyond the special improvement district’s borders and recently celebrated his first anniversary at Blue Life Karate & Fitness Centers (1809 Springfield Avenue). “Edo” O’Bannon of Edo’s Cakes had been baking his custom confections in contracted space within the Springfield Avenue District but moved to the former Kari’s Café location at 1883 Springfield Avenue to better showcase his edible works of art. New World Catering moved from Maplewood Village to 1753 Springfield Avenue. And while Salon Fa is not relocating, owner Fatisha Hutchings has expanded at 1921 Springfield Avenue.
Diana Vitrano, district manager of Springfield Avenue Partnership, believes the combination of convenience, in the form of easy access and plentiful free parking, with an intriguing mix of businesses has a lot to do with the Avenue’s growing popularity not only with the local community but also with residents of nearby towns. The Partnership works to promote the business district and to help create a favorable environment for new businesses to locate and prosper.
For listings of available commercial properties, or for more information about Springfield Avenue Partnership and the programs and services it provides, visit the Partnership’s website, SpringfieldAvenue.com, or follow the district on Facebook (Facebook.com/SpringfieldAvenuePartnership).

MAPLEWOOD, N.J., March 16, 2012 – More than one person has done a double-take recently while walking and driving along Maplewood’s Springfield Avenue. The cause of the swiveling necks and questioning glances? Over the past months, a number of local businesses have relocated to new commercial space on the Avenue to expand and grow or to better showcase and deliver their products and services. 


That’s music to the ears of Springfield Avenue Partnership’s business and commercial property owners, who have invested in streetscape and façade improvements, supplemental cleaning and greening programs and expanded marketing efforts to draw consumers to shop and dine on the Avenue. They also hope to entice new businesses as well, to enhance the district’s mix of retail stores, restaurants and food specialty purveyors, plus personal and professional services.

Read more...
 
Four-Acre PSE&G Site Goes on the Market
By Mary Mann Email the author March 3, 2012
Town is looking to hire a business recruitment consultant to help fill vacancies in Maplewood.
PSE&G will be vacating its four-acre site at Boyden Avenue and Springfield Avenue in Maplewood, Mayor Vic DeLuca announced last week. PSE&G will be relocating about 100 employees in the testing lab to another property in South Plainfield.
Mayor Vic DeLuca made the announcement at a budget meeting on Saturday, Feb. 25. The mayor also made the related announcement that the town was looking to hire a business recruitment consultant this year to help with major opportunities such as the PSE&G site and persistent vacancies such as the car dealership sites on Springfield Avenue and vacancies on Valley Street near the South Orange border. As much as $50,000 from the 2012 budget would be allocated for business recruitment consultant fees.
"We willl have the recruitment consultant working with the SIDs [meaning the MaplewoodVillage Alliance and the Springfield Avenue Partnership] and the Chamber," said DeLuca. DeLuca also said that Annette DePalma, the town prosecutor, was taking on the role of community relations and would be the point person for business recruitment.
According to a story in the News-Record, the PSE&G site is the third largest ratable in town, paying $328,465 in taxes in 2011 (only Winchester Gardens and the Maplewood Country Club pay more). DeLuca said that he does not want the disposal of the property -- which PSE&G is selling -- left solely to PSE&G and its real estate department, but is seeking a coordinated approach that will ensure a buyer and tenant that is in line with the town's vision for Springfield Avenue.

By Mary Mann Email the author March 3, 2012


Town is looking to hire a business recruitment consultant to help fill vacancies in Maplewood.


PSE&G will be vacating its four-acre site at Boyden Avenue and Springfield Avenue in Maplewood, Mayor Vic DeLuca announced last week. PSE&G will be relocating about 100 employees in the testing lab to another property in South Plainfield.


Mayor Vic DeLuca made the announcement at a budget meeting on Saturday, Feb. 25. The mayor also made the related announcement that the town was looking to hire a business recruitment consultant this year to help with major opportunities such as the PSE&G site and persistent vacancies such as the car dealership sites on Springfield Avenue and vacancies on Valley Street near the South Orange border. As much as $50,000 from the 2012 budget would be allocated for business recruitment consultant fees.

Read more...
 
Walgreens, Edo's Cakes Join Springfield Avenue Board

 

Springfield Avenue Partnership welcomes new board members Louis Mercado, manager of the new Walgreens, and Joseph O’Bannon, owner of Edo’s Quality Cakes.
By vince baglivoFebruary 29, 2012
Maplewood’s Springfield Avenue Partnershiprecently welcomed Louis Mercado, manager of the new Walgreens, and Joseph "Edo" O’Bannon, owner of Edo’s Quality Cakes, as the newest members of the Partnership’s Board of Trustees for 2012.
Since 2001, the Springfield Avenue Improvement District, a public/private partnership between the local business community and the Township of Maplewood, has worked to improve the local economy and overall commercial climate in the Springfield Avenue business district.
Mercado, a Colonia resident, attended Rutgers University and has been part of the Walgreens’ team for 20 years. He was familiar with Springfield Avenue through visits with friends and family as a teen and was excited about the opportunity to serve the community. “Customers love the convenience of the store’s location and all of the products and services we have to offer in our Pharmacy and other departments,” Mercado noted. “We look forward to being involved as a supporter of great Partnership-presented events like MayFest and other efforts to make Springfield Avenue a welcoming place.”
Edo O’Bannon has earned a growing list of customers and fans for his creative and original wedding cake designs as well as specialty cakes, pastries and fine desserts. A veteran of the restaurant and food industries, he opened on the Avenue in October of 2011, presenting a colorful and ever-changing assortment of tasty treats to enjoy with a cup of coffee at the store, or to take home. “I look forward to getting active and involved in the district,” O’Bannon concluded.
Maplewood Mayor Vic DeLuca, a Partnership board member, pointed to the diversity of the board as one of the organization’s strengths.
“Our board includes business and restaurant owners, commercial property owners, district residents, retail and professional service providers and Township representatives,” added DeLuca. “All contribute their time and talents as volunteers, and share a commitment to the special improvement district and the Township, contributing to revitalization efforts along the Avenue that benefit not only the people who work, invest and live in the district, but the entire Maplewood community as well as visitors from beyond Maplewood’s borders.”
Partnership board member Pauline Lacey of Le Petit Academy noted that participation in the organization’s efforts allows business and commercial property owners in the District to have input regarding Partnership decisions on a wide range of projects and initiatives. “We are always looking for individuals from the Avenue's business community to contribute new ideas that will help keep the District’s businesses and restaurants in the minds of local residents and visitors,” Lacey concluded.

By Vince Baglivo February 29, 2012

Springfield Avenue Partnership welcomes new board members Louis Mercado, manager of the new Walgreens, and Joseph O’Bannon, owner of Edo’s Quality Cakes.

Maplewood’s Springfield Avenue Partnershiprecently welcomed Louis Mercado, manager of the new Walgreens, and Joseph "Edo" O’Bannon, owner of Edo’s Quality Cakes, as the newest members of the Partnership’s Board of Trustees for 2012.
Since 2001, the Springfield Avenue Improvement District, a public/private partnership between the local business community and the Township of Maplewood, has worked to improve the local economy and overall commercial climate in the Springfield Avenue business district.

Read more...
 
Turn Any Season Into an Escape from the Every Day for Your Kids!

Many businesses on Springfield Avenue in Maplewood offer fun-filled programs for kids who love arts and crafts or music and dance. How about martial arts and fitness classes tailored to parents and children? Maybe a creative setting for a group outing that’s different from the same old, same old?

 

Click Here to Read About Where Families Go to Learn, Play & Grow

 

Click Here for a List of Businesses Providing an Amazing Array of Programs for Kids and Families

 
About the Partnership E-mail

Springfield Ave logoThe Springfield Avenue Partnership is the District Management Corporation of the Springfield Avenue Special Improvement District. A Special Improvement District is a self-governed entity, which funds itself primarily by a special tax assessment on commercial properties within the improvement district. The Partnership was initially created by a small group of neighborhood citizens who wanted to revitalize the main shopping corridor in their neighborhood. The Partnership is now a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation governed by a board of trustees comprised of business and property owners, local residents and municipal officials.

Read more...