Last Minute Holiday Shoppers Fill Maplewood Village

There's still time to find unique, affordable gifts in the Village and throughout town.

  On Sunday afternoon -- two days before Christmas -- last minute shoppers made Maplewood Village their destination. Village shops, as well as businesses on Springfield Avenue, Ridgewood Road and every place in between, make last minute shopping a breeze. There's a great selection, true customer service, free gift wrapping and more. For more down to the wire shopping ideas at shops, restaurants and services throughout town, check out Maplewood Patch's Gift Guide Part 1 and Part 2. Merry Christmas!

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It's a Happening Holiday Weekend in Maplewood

From shopping and art to theater and dancing, here's a roundup of everything fun this weekend.

There are many events going on this weekend -- especially on Saturday -- in Maplewood that will get you in the true holiday spirit. Here are just a few; for more fun things to do, check out the Maplewood Patch Events Calender. ***Kick off the weekend with the annual Maplewood Village Holiday Open House on Saturday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Enjoy decorations and refreshments as you stroll through town. Over 20 merchants will be participating this year, including Words Bookstore, Little One & Co., Tenth Muse, Scriverner's, KoKoRo, Alchemy Hour, CLICK Learning Center, Hopscotch, Bee & Thistle, Shed, Village Wine Shop, Lotus Petals and Highland Place/Cranes - and more. Geralyn's Art Studio (103 Baker Street) will feature artist Erica Breskin's …

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Carolyn Maynard-Parisi

12:08 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012

Yes, here's our article on the play: http://patch.com/A-zCPl. And there's also the CHS Robotics Tournament on Sunday: http://patch.com/A-zSj0. Patch will be covering both!   more ›

Miller Leaves X FACTOR, Shopping Season Kicks Off in Maplewood

Here's a look at top headlines this week in town.

  Maplewoodians celebrated Thanksgiving this week, and the official holiday shopping season kicked off with Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Other big news included a new assistant principal at Tuscan School, and Maplewood teen Beatrice Miller being voted off THE X FACTOR in an emotional Thanksgiving night episode: UPDATE: Bea Miller Sent Home from THE X FACTOR Maplewood Middle Schooler and hometown hero Beatrice Miller was voted off THE X FACTOR on Thanksgiving night. "I just want to tell my sisters that I love them and I'm sorry," said an emotional Miller, who barely choked back tears. "You're a true star in my eyes," said Miller's mentor, Britney Spears. Miller, who was ranked in the bottom two contestants according to viewer …

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At Maplewood Restaurants, Local Equals Delicious

Coda, The Laurel, and Arturo's renew their focus on local ingredients and homemade flair.

  This is the first in a three-part series on what's new on the Maplewood food scene. In part two, Patch looks at Lorena's, the new Sona, and Highland Place/Crane's. Today, we take a look at how three acclaimed restaurants in the Village have strengthened their commitment to using local and sustainable ingredients and making virtually everything on the menu "in house." The result? Some of the finest dining experiences available in the state.  Coda: This two-year old gem has become not only one of the most popular restaurants in town, but also one of the most consistently satisfying. Chef/owner Luke Finn said he has been focusing on a more natural approach to cooking. "We have been working with local farmers, buying more natural meats such …

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PHOTOS: K9 Training in Village

Two canine trainees were put through their paces in downtown Maplewood.

  Officers from the Essex County Sheriff's Department were conducting a training exercise in Maplewood Village Tuesday afternoon. The officers were putting Mac ("like Mac 'n Cheese") and Donna through their paces. One officer said Donna was on the job for just two days. It looked as though she was getting the hang of it.

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Keebler Elves Move to Maplewood?

An interesting addition to a Village tree begs the question.

Pulling into the Ricalton Square parking lot this morning, I noticed something quite unusual. The tree facing my parking space was sporting some miniature carved wooden furniture in its nooks and crannies. Upon closer inspection, I found this message on a tiny little table: This is for the little people of Maplewood Village to enjoy. Please leave it! Being of Irish extraction, I'm not sure if "little people" here refers to human children or to a more ethereal crowd — the fairies! Then again, perhaps a group of Keebler elves have moved in to challenge The Able Baker. Anyone know the provenance of these teeny treasures? Tell us in the comments!

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For Art, Food, Shopping and More, Walk This Way

Maplewood's first ever Art Walk hits the streets on Saturday, May 5. You won't want to miss this.

Over the last few years, Maplewood has emerged as a thriving center for the arts as well as a hub of unique, independently-run shops and restaurants. So it was only a matter of time before someone figured out how to bring the two together. The result is the first annual Maplewood Art Walk, which will take place on Saturday, May 5 from noon until 5 p.m. Streets throughout the Village will be brimming with art, music, live performances, food and shopping. The event is co-sponsored by the Maplewood Village Alliance (MVA) and the Maplewood Arts Council (MAC). "Everyone agrees that Maplewood is a town filled with amazing artists and arts organizations - but at the Art Walk, we'll get to see what it means to have so many of them in one place," …

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Fall Open Market Evokes Sidewalk Sales of Yesteryear

Our Maplewood-born-and-bred roving photographer Claire Sinclair captures the day and relives the memories of sidewalk sales past.

Saturday's beautiful fall weather brought many people out to Maplewood Village to enjoy great sales, great food and great people. Since I knew the road would be closed off, we arrived early to get parking and luckily found a spot along the train tracks. The smell of cooking was wafting through the street, and both my boys and I could not wait to try some of the tantalizing items. The first person I spoke to was Marci Gordon, a long-time Maplewood resident. She told me she loved the pedestrian-friendly streets with the people all around because it takes her back in time. She had just picked up some cupcakes from Camille's Cupcake Corner, a booth located in front of The Maplewood Stationers. Camille was selling Pumpkin Spice, Red Velvet, …

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NJ Life Mag Hearts Maplewood

The Township makes two appearances in the current edition of the statewide publication.

This month's issue of New Jersey Life magazine has a decidedly Maplewood feel. Not only are five township businesses featured in the main feature, the "A List" of New Jersey businesses, but the magazine devotes an entire standalone article to Maplewood as well. Mona Lisa Framing and the Tenth Muse Gallery were both recognized in the Best Gallery Category. Perch Home placed on the list of Best Home Design Shops. Shakti Ma was included on the list for Best Yoga, Pilates, & Fitness. And Jerry Rose Floral and Even Design was among the winners for Best Floral Design. The complete list is here. According to the magazine, the list was compiled through a reader-voting process and with suggestions from their editorial staff. Congratulations to all …

Sneak Peek at Revolution Home

Maplewood's newest store had a preview event on Saturday.

Revolution Home, Baker’s Street’s newest enterprise, previewed its wares and services on Saturday, during Maplewood’s Open Market. The store, co-owned by interior designer Jodi Sherer and artist David Heffernan, offers artwork, furnishings and a variety of items that straddle those categories. Sherer describes the store’s ambiance as “part Paris flea market, part country French farmhouse, certainly shabby chic.” She and Heffernan offer architectural details, some salvaged locally from homes and churches, as small as a wall sconce, as large as beams reclaimed from a barn. Heffernan and Sherer offer design services with a twist; they are able to craft furnishings and even flooring. Sherer points to the floor that completes a display at the …

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