THE FUTURE IS ECO-FRIENDLY AND ONLINE

This is a bittersweet time for Tracy Ferdinand of 3r Living as she nears the final stretch of shutting down her much loved Maplewood Avenue shop at the end of the month. "We've made peace with the decision to focus on our online business," she explains. "Still, we've been really overwhelmed by the number of people who've come in to express good wishes and tell us how much they're going to miss the store. We really thank them for that."

Hurry in now for the store's blowout closing sale: all in-stock items are discounted at least 40%, and there's a ton of great gadgets, art, jewelry, toiletries, home goods, pet products and furniture to choose from.

BENCHMARK OF A GOOD COMMUNITY

Geralyn Robinson, owner of Geralyn's Art Studio, returned from the recent long weekend to find the bench outside her shop had gone missing. At first she hoped the absence could be blamed on some sort of new ordinance banning seating, but noting that the other sedentary options about town remained, faced the fact her bench was probably not coming back.

"As we say in Ireland, 'There it was- GONE'," she said with a sad smile.

Turning to Facebook, she shared her feelings about the theft and received condolences and comfort from friends in the community—as well as a very generous offer from Louis Toledo of Maplewood Karate, who'd taken classes at her studio: "I told her I'd get her another bench or I'd build her one," explained Toledo, who's also handy with woodworking.

This weekend, as promised, he presented a very touched Robinson with a cheerful cherry red bench painted by his 8-year-old daughter Jessica. It now sits proudly in front of Geralyn's storefront.

"It was so wonderful of Louis and his family," says Robinson. "It was such a lovely, kind gesture—and truly part of what makes Maplewood such a great place to live."

As for Toledo, his motivation was simple: "Geralyn's good people," he explains.

So are Louis and Jessica Toledo.