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Familiar Faces in New Places on Maplewood’s Springfield Avenue |
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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.
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Four-Acre PSE&G Site Goes on the Market |
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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.
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Walgreens, Edo's Cakes Join Springfield Avenue Board |
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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.
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Turn Any Season Into an Escape from the Every Day for Your Kids! |
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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 |
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About the Partnership |
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 The 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.
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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.
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.
