New E-Mail Newsletter will be Launched in May, 2008
In an effort to communicate regularly to businesses, property owners and shoppers in Downtown West Orange, the Downtown West Orange Alliance is launching a bi-monthly e-mail newsletter in January of 2008. This electronic newsletter will provide information on downtown events, new store openings, construction updates, proposals etc. We encourage all of our supporters to give us feedback on this new venture, and also to submit news of downtown happenings for inclusion in future issues. If you would like to be on our e-mail list for this exciting new publication or would like to help with writing press releases contact us at downtown@westorange.org
COME TO THE 4TH ANNUAL SPRING STREET FAIR ON SUNDAY, MAY 25!
The Drifters played on the steps of Town Hall at the 3rd Annual Street Fair
On Sunday, May 25, the Downtown West Orange Alliance will hold its 4th Annual Street Fair. This fun-filled day will feature more than 100 artists, crafters, and vendors. Fabulous food, live music, and entertainment for children and adults will be available all day. Last year, we were thrilled to receive lots of praise and compliments like, "This is the way West Orange USED to be!!" And, "I've lived here 70 years and have never seen anything like this!" For four years now this successful event has drawn between ten and twelve thousand people to Main Street. Perhaps the most entertaining part of the day was the pie-eating contest at 2:30pm sponsored by Supreme Bakery on Main Street. The contest had 2 categories: 15 years old and under and 16 years old and older. The bakery provided a constant flow of small apple pies to competitors, who devoured as many as they could in the allotted 5 minute time period in hopes of winning cash prizes. Rich Stolz, the owner of Supreme Bakery as well as the Chairman of the Downtown West Orange Alliance wanted to introduce an old fashioned fun family event at last year's fair. If you would like to download this year's application for the Pie-Eating contest click here: Pie Eating Contest Application.
Pie Eating Contest sponsored by Supreme Bakery
SAVE THE DATES!!
The first day of the
WEST ORANGE FARMERS MARKET
2008!!
The Farmers Market is held in the parking lot behind Town Hall, 66 Main Street (the parking lot entrance is on Mt. Pleasant Ave.) It will run every Friday from Noon to 6 PM , from July 11th through October 31. All fresh vegetable and fruit vendors accept WIC checks. Additional parking is available across Mt. Pleasant Ave. at 80 Main Street.
HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN PAINTING!
Despite the drizzly, cool weather 100 children and their parents came to the West Orange Farmers Market on Friday, October 26, 2007 from 3 - 5 PM for the annual Pumpkin Painting Festival. Parents shopped while their kids decorated a pumpkin with squeeze paints, markers and stickers and were entertained by our own Halloween Good Witch!! This year's event is planned for Friday, October 24 so mark your calendars!
"A TASTE OF DOWNTOWN"
THURSDAY, JULY 24
Jen the Juggler Entertains the Children
The Downtown West Orange Alliance will once again host the "Taste of Downtown" on Thursday, July 24th from 5-8pm. The event will showcase the restaurants located in the downtown Special Improvement District. Last year's event drew about 300 people to the front lawn of Town Hall to enjoy rock music provided by The Kootz , children's entertainment including a juggling clown and face painting, and a great chance to sample and dine on the fine food of the downtown restaurants. People had an opportunity to try the food of several restaurants that they had never tried before.
The Kootz Provides the Musical Entertainment
Last year's restaurants included: Pupuseria( 335 Valley Road), Supreme Bakery(40 Main St.), Due Amici(450 Main Street), Cecil's Restaurant(364 Valley Road), Pepe’s Barbecue( 101 Harrison Avenue), # 1 Chinese Restaurant( 46 Main Street), El Centro Americano( 292 Main Street), and more.
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"The Mayor's 5K Run/Walk for the Whisper a Great Success! |
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Runners and Walkers Register for the Race
Ready, Set Go!!!! Many thanks go out to the hundreds of generous sponsors including all the in-kind sponsors who donated their services and time. The 2008 Annual Mayors WALK/RUN to Break the Silence of Ovarian Cancer is looking for volunteers! There are many opporutnities to join us now. Jobs that need to be done pre-walk, and on day of the event. Check out the new website for the race at www.walkforovariancancer.com and click here to download this year's race registration form:
Volunteers from the Northern NJ NOCC Portion of profits will go to the Northern JerseyNational Ovarian Cancer Coalition
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OPEN HOUSE!!
- On Saturday, December 8, 2007 many residents came downtown to enjoy a day of festivities to celebrate the beginning of the winter holiday season. The day started off with children attending "Reading in a Winter Wonderland" at the West Orange Library (46 Mt. Pleasant Avenue) at 11am. From 12:30-2pm, families created a holiday craft at the West Orange Police Department sub-station located at 92 Washington Street. After that, parents had their children's picture taken with Santa at Supreme Bakery (40 Main Street) from 2-4pm and then enjoyed the “Old Fashioned Dickens Carolers” singing holiday favorites between 3 and 4pm at the Gazebo located at Harrison Avenue & Main Street near the Quigley Parking Lot. And finally, about 100 people came out to learn about the history of the different areas of downtown from Town Council members during the Holly Trolley Tours leaving every half hour from 12-4 in front of the Community House at 242 Main Street.
The tree-lighting ceremony on the front lawn of Town Hall
with activities from 4-7pm ended a wonderful day for all.
Council Passes Redevelopment Resolution
On Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at the West Orange Town Council Meeting, a resolution authorizing Mayor John McKeon to enter into contract with re-developer Prism Green Associates was passed by a 4-0 vote. The contract allows Prism to move forward with what McKeon says will become the largest non-waterfront redevelopment project in New Jersey. The final plan outlines a $250 million development in a 20.6 acre zone on Main Street that was previously designated "an area in need of redevelopment". The project calls for a $210 million investment by Prism that will fund the construction of 609 residential units. The properties will be one and two bedroom lofts and townhouses lcoated on the current Lakeland property, the Barton Press site and the Edison Battery building property.
Thomas Edison Battery Factory Building, 177 Main Street
The Main Street Redevelopment Plan is crucial to the successful revitalization of downtown West Orange. The Downtown Alliance is working with the township to help make this project a reality. Common knowledge in the field of downtown revitalization says that in order to revitalize a business district, there must be both daytime and nighttime life there. The redevelopment of this 20 acre zone includes loft, townhouse and condominium living spaces, geared to the 'empty nester' and young professionals. This, plus the plans for street-level retail space, green spaces and parking will fulfill the need of Main Street to have daytime and nighttime life. This, in turn, will spur continued improvements throughout the downtown district. Prism has also proposed creating an additional north-south roadway that will alleviate traffic issues. For additional information on the redevelopment go to:
www.prismpartners.net/proj_edisonvillage.html
Check back here for updates.
