Ridgewood Row has quietly become one of Maplewood's most riveting shopping stretches. Frugal fashionistas well know they can score deals, steals and fabulous finds for just about every family member between the three consignment shops that line the side of the street situated between Maplewood and South Orange. Shoppers will also find a framing shop, art gallery, salon and a dry cleaner as well as the cooler than cool Cupcake Corral, which revs this retail row with serious caffeine and tempting treats. Nestled on a rather residential strip on the edge of Maplewood and South Orange, Ridgewood …

If you think the new construction of the soon-to-open Walgreens at the corner of Springfield & Burnett is blending in nicely with the buildings in its neighborhood, know that it is not by accident — a great deal of planning and energy went into the aesthetics of the new location. “They really wanted to capture a quaint, downtown feeling and vibe,” explains Daniela Sahade, who worked with Eden Property as the Project Manager on the building of the Maplewood Walgreens. “We tried to keep the streetscape in line with existing businesses from the brick to the fabric awnings to the size of the …

Truth be told, many maligned the much discussed Dollar Variety Dollar & Discount Store long before it even officially moved into its Valley location. Even now, bringing up the topic about town will get you more than a few melancholy mentions of what the place might have been, from a roller-skating rink to a bowling alley to the holy grail of all Maplewoodian longings: our very own Trader Joe’s... Still, most remain confused about what the place actually is: for starters, it’s not just a ‘Dollar Store’, but rather an eclectic department/liquidator hybrid offering a wide array of items from …

Chances are you’ve driven passed it a million times on your way to the Parkway or the pool: it’s that cheerful little corner location that’s always seemed like a doggone natural spot for a dog stand – or any takeout cuisine. While the bitty building has seen a few false launches in years gone by, the good news is the grills are going again, and this time it looks like they’ll be fired up for a good. “My father found the spot,” says Tina Patel, manager of Papa’s Fried Chicken and Wings, newly nestled now into the cozy confines of 1546 Springfield Avenue. “It’s got traffic coming from five …

Huguette Jean-Romain’s love of baking goes all the way back to her earliest childhood memories in Haiti. “I really inherited it from my Aunt,” she explains. “And growing up I’d go to cooking school during the summers. I just always loved making things that make people happy.” After having spend most of her professional life doing just that, she's just sold her share in another very successful commercial bakery in Old Bridge, New Jersey to fully focus on realizing her life-long dream of opening her own place. “Unfortunately my Aunt didn’t live to see it – she passed while I was in college,” …

HighlandPlace is shaping into the sort of place that tries to be everything to everyone – in a good way. From family-friendly, affordable options to fine dining and a boisterous bar scene (especially Wednesday Karaoke nights), this local spot is valiantly vying for broader appeal and quite capably competing with Maplewood’s many restaurant choices. “We really want to be a place with a neighborhood feel, where younger families can come grab a steak and a burger,” explains proprietor Chris Farrow. “Really we just want to bring people some entertainment and hopefully a great meal.” Before it was…

Calling all Frugalistas! The proactively positive ladies of Prospect Presbyterian Women have been busily readying the basement of their Prospect Street house of worship for this Sunday’s Rummage which will kick off THREE weekends of stellar savings: “We’re very excited about the array of items," said Joady Anderson, a lifetime Maplewood resident and 33-year Rummage UBER worker bee (she has not missed a single sale day in the entire existence of the annual sale). “This year we’ve got everything from full China sets to designer clothing and lots of things kids will love. It really is an event …

Vixen6, a bodacious boutique specializing in luxurious lingerie for ladies, has nicely settled into its new home after having already undergone a major renovation just a month of having moved to the space at 1919 Springfield Avenue: “We’re stocking more European ‘ready to wear’ luxury brands now,” explains Eliza Dubai, the very grounded — and gorgeous — owner of the business. “Because the lines are all about detail and concept, I wanted to showcase them more as wearable art. I also decided to reconfigure things to make more space for the events we’re going to be hosting on a regular basis …

True to its word, Alchemy Hour will be opening its doors and welcoming Maplewood to its stylish take on women’s fashion with global style and “boho, beachy, edgy” cool. The young owner, Janean Harvey, is eager to meet and greet fashion-forward ladies looking for a place to feel right at home. “I’m really nervous and excited about being here every day and interacting with people,” said Harvey, who’s spent the last few months honing the décor of the shop to match the unifying vision of the hand-picked pieces and vintage gracing the racks and displays. The Alchemy Hour boutique ‘look’ — like the…

Gogo’s-aholics rejoice: in celebration of Summer Sidewalk Sale this Saturday, July 16, Scrivener’s will be handing out 50 FREE Gogo’s Crazy Bones (the hugely popular tiny toys with a strong hold on the 10 and under crowd) to the first fifty shoppers starting at 11AM. And just what makes these puny plastic things such a smashing success? “They’re the smartest and most imaginative designed things ever,” reports my obviously unbiased 7-year-old Gogo's authority, Carson. (Yup, actual quote.) Norman Scrivener’s take? “Gogo's are the hottest new collectible game for kids,” he says — which is …

Louis Toledo is known around town for making the ladies’ hearts pound. In fact he’s surrounded by gals game for his particular inspiration to achieve maximum perspiration most days of the week. Stephanie Asch even has even convinced her husband to get in on the action, too: “We usually do it as a couple,” says Asch with a laugh. “I guess you could say we like punching each other – it’s very 'War of the Roses.' At first I had to drag him, but now he goes without me all the time!” Okay, I should probably mention at this point that Louis is THE Louis Toledo of Maplewood Karate, and that he’s a …

To quote the lyrical wordsmiths that are ZZ Top: “Every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man!” and you’d be hard pressed to find a place in town that dresses ‘em any sharper than Top Hat & Tails on Springfield Avenue: “We really dress every man,” says manager Brian Berry. “From the youngest of tuxedo- or suit-wearing guys to older men who’ll just send in their daughters or wife with their measurements." Since opening in town seven years ago — two years at their current location — Top Hat & Tails has been bringing international style to local shoppers. “We carry nearly fifteen different …

Fatisha Hutchins was just about born with a flair for hair and a passion for fashion. “I had clients when I was in elementary school,” she says with a laugh. “And I was my grandmother’s personal stylist for as early as I can remember.” And while her friends and family grew ever glam through her talents, Hutchins grew to realize her interest was far beyond superficial. “I guess I just feel best when I’m helping others,” she says. She was actually in college for nursing when she became pregnant with her son, Omar. Realizing that nursing hours and a newborn would be a tough combination, she …

For Christmas, my husband generously sprang for an introductory gift certificate to Core Mind & Body Pilates & Fitness studio in town. Nearly five months later, he started inquiring as to why I hadn’t used it yet. Simple answer? I’ve always been intimidated by Pilates, or rather the long, lanky dancer-ish bodies that seem to go hand in hand with it. In short, I’m more the short, compact type and tend to shy away from standing in a mirrored classroom with overly tall, toned types. As a result I’ve been pretty paranoid about practicing Pilates, which also is all about abs, which I’ve all about …

In Greek mythology, the Nine Muses ruled over and offered inspiration for various arts and sciences. Perhaps inspired a bit by Dionysus (or just the bottle of wine) while brainstorming for a name for their soon-to-open gallery, Mary Ann Spencer and her then business partner (and current close friend) Joyce Baldinucci, decided the artisan crafts deserved a Muse, too, and The Tenth Muse Gallery was born. Ever since, this Baker Street staple has served to spotlight and support artists creating functional pieces. Now run solely by Mary Ann, Tenth Muse has nurtured and encouraged many local …

The hearth may no longer be the heart of the home, but the mantel remains the focal point for any room lucky to enough to have one! If you haven’t taken a new look at this traditional display place, Spring’s a great excuse to spruce up the space with great inspiration and deals on decor in our two towns, all under $55! First stop, Millburn: Furbish: This fabulous décor spot - which has graced both our towns – has been happily settled on Millburn Avenue for the past three. The stunning and stylish Uma Stewart fills her boutique with a crisp collection of cutting edge selections that are …

The fact that my husband has a near psychic ability to schedule business trips during storms, escaping most of the shoveling, doesn’t dampen his insatiable desire to spring for a blower every winter. I've always balked at the expense, but after this past week’s 25 lb per shovel slush storm, I have to say I’ve finally warmed up to the idea. I’ve had enough of shoveling sidewalks. My back has too, so I made a run over to P & P on Springfield. Apparently, I’m in good company. Last week when I’d called, owner Charlie Bravoco told me he was flat-out sold out but was getting more in this week. He …

If  one were to conjure up a sweet, snuggly shop that offered childhood memories in the making by way of delightful playthings, one would be hard-pressed to come up with a better place than Scrivener's. For nearly 20 years, this Maplewood Avenue treasure of a toy shop has been captivating kids of all ages with their old-school approach to toys, collectibles and all the treasures that make being a kid so fun. The shop is by no means big, but positively brims with a vast variety of items suited for just about any kid or occasion to gift them with the perfect present. Well-run and laid out for …

Maplewood Hobby is a no frills, straightforward shop that caters to gamers and hobby enthusiasts with equal enthusiam. You won't find slick sales pitches or sleek displays here. But you will  find a time-tested formula that's kept this place in business for 20 years—10 of them at their current Springfield Avenue location. Most people are familiar with hobbies like building cars, planes or train models, but the novice will have a hard time fully comprehending the gaming community this store specializes in—ranging from historical reenactments to sci-fi fantasies. "Gaming is a whole world in and…

Cheaply made appliances for cheap? Braving a sea of pushy shoppers to maybe get one?! No thanks. I'll leave Black Friday Mania to the Big Box stores who treat their customers like…well, cheap appliances. For me, Maplewood Village is the place for savvy shopping this Black Friday and every day during the holidays. In addition to personalized attention and exceptional offerings, our Maplewood merchants are rolling out enticing incentives to make Maplewood your Black Friday destination this year. Here's a rundown of just a few of the deep discounts and charming touches you'll find Friday in town…