'Shop Localista' Debuts on Maplewood Patch

I actually moved to Maplewood for the shopping.

Sure, hipster suburbia had its appeal but it was the quaint stores with their Mayberry-meets-Williamsburg vibe that convinced me to relocate.

We left New York City in 2002 for a little more grass for our daughter to walk on and a little less fear for me to wallow in; she was born downtown five days before 9/11. While practicality and paranoia prompted our migration, the store front windows in Maplewood actually closed the deal. They became the looking glass in which I caught my first glimpse of what daily life would be like in Maplewood.  THIS, I thought, is where I'll buy food, fish, toys and the things that'll flesh out our new life—and suddenly I could visualize our transition to suburbia.

From the Mapleleaf Diner (still there) to the Cornercopia (now Leo's) and the Maplewood Pet Store (now Millburn's), Maplewood's downtown had the commandingly traditional and calming charm I craved in a place I'd call home.  Character and commerce come together on our curving stretch of shops with such singular style that I still delight in driving guests through town just to enjoy their inevitable coo of compliments.

Since our move, many Village shops have moved in and many have moved on. Fortunately the fear of being overrun with nail salons and realtors has been pushed away with the stellar stores like Words, Perch, Village Belle, Little One & Co. and No. 165. Across town the vibrant stretch of Springfield Avenue has dazzled brightly, dimmed a bit and is again shining thanks to ventures like Kari's, Knitknack and Shakti.

Even in our era of economic struggles we are enjoying a retail renaissance in Maplewood that deserves to be nourished and celebrated, and that's exactly what I hope to do with this new Shop Localista column.

There's a great initiative called the 3/50 Project, which basically encourages folks to support their three favorite local eateries and shops by spending $50 in them a month. In each Shop Localista column, I plan to spotlight stylish, savvy and spectacular offerings about town that will hopefully entice you to spend not only that $50 but a little more time exploring more of our super assortment of stores.

I'll also share fabulous finds under $50 in town and a secret savings pass code that will give Patch readers an exclusive extra percentage off at a specific featured shop.

Personally, the only problem I see with embracing the 3/50 sentiment is picking just three favorite Maplewood merchants!  Seriously, YOU try to narrow the list down to three! Give it a shot below: Share your three favorite shops and eateries in Maplewood—and why. It'll be fun to compare notes!

Having moved to Maplewood in 2002, Lauren Pacheco is now on her second home here because she enjoys paying high taxes. Just kidding. A writer and television producer by trade, she was drawn to Maplewood's quaint, charming town and its feisty, interesting community. Her Shop Localista column will celebrate the many reasons to shop at, eat in and explore the intriguing array of businesses we're fortunate to have here in town. When she's not writing, Lauren is busy running about looking after her two kids, miniature Schnauzer puppy and husband. She also manages to devote a substantial chunk of time to shopping—locally, of course!