New E-Mail Newsletter was Launched in March, 2009
In an effort to communicate regularly to businesses, property owners and shoppers in Downtown West Orange, the Downtown West Orange Alliance launched a monthly e-mail newsletter in March of 2009. This electronic newsletter provides 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 5TH ANNUAL SPRING STREET FAIR ON SUNDAY, MAY 24th!
CLICK HERE TO SEE A SLIDE SHOW OF THE 2008 SPRING STREET FAIR!
The Drifters played on the steps of Town Hall at the 3rd Annual Street Fair
On Sunday, May 24th, the Downtown West Orange Alliance will hold its 5th 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. If you would like to be a vendor click here to download a vendor application.
Click here to download a coupon for (1) FREE Moonwalk ride or game. For one child 12 years old or younger when accompanied by parent or guardian on May 24th, 2009.
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:2009 Pie Eating Contest Application.
Pie Eating Contest sponsored by Supreme Bakery
SAVE THE DATES!!
The first day of the
2009
Farmers Market!!
Come buy Jersey Fresh produce for your 4th of July celebrations!
ANGE FARMERS MARKET
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 3rd through October 30th. All fresh vegetable and fruit vendors accept WIC checks. Additional parking is available across Mt. Pleasant Ave. at 80 Main Street.
HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN PAINTING!
Join us on Friday, October 30th from 3-5pm at the West Orange Farmers Market for the annual Pumpkin Painting Festival. Parents can shop while their kids decorate a free pumpkin with squeeze paints, markers and stickers. The Halloween Good Witch will also be there to entertain the kids!!
"A TASTE OF DOWNTOWN"
THURSDAY, JULY 23rd
from 5-8pm
Jen the Juggler Entertains the Children
The Downtown West Orange Alliance will once again host the "Taste of Downtown" on Thursday, July 23rd 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: 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.
Sign up now for the 2009 Mayor's Run/Walk to Break the Silence Sunday, October 18th 10am Race starts in front of West Orange Township Hall
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700 Runners and Walkers Register for the 2008 Race
Ready, Set Go!!!! The 2009 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 website for the race at www.walkforovariancancer.com .
Volunteers from the Northern NJ NOCC Portion of profits will go to the Northern JerseyNational Ovarian Cancer Coalition
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OPEN HOUSE!!
Set for Saturday, December 5th, 2009!!!!
Click here to see a slide show of the day!
- On Saturday, December 5th, 2009 hundreds of 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 200 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.
Nine months ago the ceremonial groundbreaking for Edison Village on Main Street was held celebrating the beginning of the largest non-waterfront redevelopment project in New Jersey, encompassing an area of approximately 21 acres. The $230 million project will include 610 residential housing units, retail construction and a 635 space parking facility to be completed in three phases. It is hoped the site, which is bordered by Ashland Avenue on the east, Charles Street on the south, Main Street on the west and Lakeside Avenue on the north, will bring a much needed revitalization to the downtown.
"Notwithstanding the economic times and the credit crunch," said Mayor John McKeon, "with some adjustment, the project is moving forward."
The "adjustment" is that the project will move a bit slower. Phase One will now include 112 residential units, the parking facility, the improved facade and the retail space along Main Street.
Eugene R. Diaz, a principal of Prism Capital Partners, the developer for this project said, that although the site looks barren right now, much of that is due to winter temperatures and there is a lot going on behind the scenes. The foundation for the parking lot will be poured during warmer weather in the spring. Diaz said the garage, which is precast at another site, is almost completed and will be stored until spring, when it can be erected on site.
According the Diaz, Phase One is expected to be completed at the end of this year or the first quarter of 2010. Phases 2 and 3 will encompass the construction of more residential units. The complete project build out is currently expected by the fall of 2013.
Thomas Edison Battery Factory Building, 177 Main Street
For additional information on the redevelopment go to:
www.prismpartners.net/proj_edisonvillage.html
Check back here for updates.
