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South Orange, NJ 07079
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Your top choice for buying, selling and renting houses and apartments in Verona and South Orange, NJ.
22 First Street
South Orange, NJ 07079
GET DIRECTIONS →
Celebrating Black History Month
/0 Comments/in Real Estate Blog /by Shirley ParkWe are honored to celebrate Black History Month with our local neighbors and communities. This year’s national theme is The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity. You can check out a mix of local and virtual events below designed to help everyone learn, connect, and celebrate during Black History Month.
ASALH: Association for the Study of African American Life and History –
Maplewood Events
1978 Springfield Ave., Maplewood NJ 07040
Local BLM Poetry Project poets perform their poems on video, shared on our sponsors Social Media!
BLM Poetry Project – Mini Posters
The inspirational words of of 10 Black writers will fill the windows of stores throughout town, and the hallways of our schools. These quotes are extensions of the 38 poems of the BLM Poetry Project. http://www.maplewoodartsandculture.org/blm-poetry-project
South Orange Events
Sat Feb. 20
Intergenerational Activist Meet & Greet: Fight For Racial Justice Edition
Sun Feb. 21
Movie Rental: Ella Fitzgerald – Just One Of Those Things (Everyday through February 28th)
Sun Feb. 21
Movie Rental: Billie (Everyday through February 28th)
Sun Feb. 21
Erasing South Orange Borders Run/Walk
Mon Feb. 22
Our Voices: The Black LGBTQ Experience
Tue Feb. 23
Dr. Gretchen Sorin Author Discussion
Wed Feb. 24
Black History Month Children’s Book Release: Week 4
Sat Feb. 27
Erasing South Orange Borders Run/Walk
Sun Feb. 28
Movie Rental: Ella Fitzgerald – Just One Of Those Things (Everyday through February 28th)
Sun Feb. 28
Movie Rental: Billie (Everyday through February 28th)
Meet & Greet with Justin Messing from NJ Lenders
/0 Comments/in Local Business, Real Estate Blog /by Shirley ParkInteresting and Fun Facts about Verona, South Orange & Maplewood
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Shirley ParkA Comprehensive Guide to Home Purchase Appraisals
/0 Comments/in Real Estate Blog /by Shirley ParkFun Must Watch Winter Movies to Stream During the Holiday Season
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Shirley ParkShop Safe + Local for Your Last Minute Holiday Shopping
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Shirley ParkIf you’re like the majority of us, you’ve waited and are panicking about last minute gifts, and it’s too late to order online for the holidays. Don’t worry because we’ve done the research for you and came up with a list of some of the best places to shop safe and local for your last minute holiday shopping. Please don’t forget to wear your masks which are required in stores.
A Paper Hat (Maplewood) – Art + design supplies
Artist Frame Gallery (Verona)
Baked Bouquet (Verona) – Edible bouquets
Baker Street Market (Maplewood) – A thoughtful gourmet food shop
Beacon Jewelers (Maplewood)
Bee & Thistle Gifts & Antiques
General Store Cooperative (Maplewood) – Features a variety of small businesses under one roof: good bottle refill shop, Three Daughters Baking Co., Speakeasy Maplewood, Kitchen a la mode’s Outpost, Sadie’s Maplewood, Mrs. Meshugga, Maplewood Wheelhouse, Alysian, Dry Goods Refillery and a rotating selection of local makers & artists.
Hopscotch – A warm and welcoming store filled to the brim with unique gifts and apparel for children and babies.
Kitchen A La Mode (South Orange) – Snug shop selling home kitchen supplies from cookware & knives to gadgets & gifts.
Kimaya Kama (Maplewood)
Maker + Muse (Maplewood) – Stylish jewelry, gifts, home décor accents and accessories
Meus (Maplewood) – A home and lifestyle shop that helps you surround yourself with what makes your mind, body, and soul happy.
Mona Lisa Framing (Maplewood)
Perch (Maplewood) – Quality goods gift shop
Poppikit (Maplewood) – Fun, homemade, creative baking kits
Sadie’s (South Orange) – Clothing and gift shop
Sparkhouse Toys (South Orange)
Suite 707 Beauty Bar & Boutique (Verona)
Toy Division (Maplewood)
Village Wine Shop (Maplewood)
Words Bookstore (Maplewood) – Your local, independent, award-winning Bookstore
Upcoming Winter Events in the Local Area
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Shirley ParkWith the holidays fast approaching and the cold quickly setting in, we found some fun upcoming family friendly local events to keep the days bright, merry and warm. Enjoy!
11/28 – 12/20: Kringle Railway Adventure in Whippany
The Kringle Railway Adventure is a round-trip thematic holiday train ride for all ages produced by Morristown and Erie Railway and The Whippany Railway Museum. The train ride was designed specifically to comply with New Jersey State Governor Phil Murphy’s Executive Orders and CDC Guidelines to keep your family safe while celebrating the holidays!
12/5, 1pm: Shop the Block – An Outdoor Holiday Shopping Experience in Montclair
Step out and come support local shops, vendors, and businesses on Bloomfield Ave in Downtown Montclair! Local shops on Bloomfield Ave, starting at the corner of Bloomfield and Maple Place will have tables, racks, vendors and wares outside for safe and social distanced shopping! Masks will be required.
12/5, 4-8pm: A Lighthouse Production Pop Up Winter Festival at 895 Frelinghuysen Ave, Newark
Winter Festival Pop-Up Shop: All tickets are free❣️ Let’s Shop BlackOwn Business this Holiday season. This Pop-Up Shop event will have Music, Food, Holiday raffle giveaways and More: this event will showcase 11 black owned business and upcoming entrepreneurs! The event will be inside and all participants are required to wear a mask and get a evite ticket for free. Tickets are required to track numbers and to gain entry!
12/6, 1-4pm: Free Photos with Santa at Mud Sweat Tears – 561 Bloomfield Ave, Verona
12/10, 12/17 & 12/24: South Orange Open-Air Holiday Market
This temporary outdoor retail marketplace offers an outdoor, socially distanced holiday shopping experience selling finely crafted jewelry, apparel, accessories, art and gift items made by many of our area’s finest local artisans and craftspeople. The market is generously sponsored by Investors Bank and Fran Lichtman and Randy Rabney of Hearth Realty.
The Open Air Holiday Market will be held in the Sloan Street Parking lot on the following dates and times:
– Thursday evenings: 12/10, 12/17 from 4-8pm
– Christmas Eve – 12/24 from Noon to 3pm
*All COVID-19 Guidelines will be strictly implemented and enforced. Click here to view the list of participating vendors.
12/12, 11am – 5pm: Maplewood Village Outdoor Holiday Market
Village merchants, along with outside vendors, will take to the streets to sell festive merchandise under appropriate local health and safety guidelines. In addition to the merchants and makers, there will be live music and a DJ.
“Supporting local business this holiday season is crucial to the success of our community. It’s no secret that Maplewood is home to numerous innovative and creative entrepreneurs and we want to give them another safe and responsible platform to reach the residents” said Deb Yohannan, Maplewood Village Alliance Manager. Maplewood Village Alliance ensures all health and safety guidelines will be followed throughout the event. Masks required. For more information on the event as well as health and safety updates, please visit our Facebook page.
12/12 at 6pm: Santa Night Live – A Special FREE Outdoor Socially-Distanced Concert with Kris Kringle
The Big Man from up North — SANTA CLAUS – performs a LIVE music concert outside Cedar Bean’s Coffee Joint on Saturday night, December 12th at 6PM. The heat lamps will be on but you can expect a hot time with fun Holiday tunes and stories from Kris Kringle. Please wear your masks and practice social distancing for the show.
This is a free event, but we ask you to bring new, unopened, unwrapped toys, kid’s clothing, games, video games, etc. for The Glimmer of Hope Foundation @glimmerofhopefdn Help make the holidays magical for families with children battling cancer!
12/13: Verona Fire Department Santa Sunday Drive By
Your favorite VFD Elves will be out with Santa. Please stay inside and wave to Santa as they drive by! We are still collecting food for the Holy Spirit Food Pantry so if you’d like to donate, please leave a bag out by the curb for us to collect.
*Please note, no candy canes or dog treats will be handed out this year and will be a contactless event.
12/17, 5:30pm: Free, Safe Christmas Village & Show at 747 Northfield Ave, West Orange
Come one, come all! The Christmas season is upon us, and The Life Christian Church invites you and your loved ones to our free Christmas village and show! Come experience a sense of awe and wonder as you admire our Christmas village’s original handcrafted window displays dreamt up by a team of local artists and retail designers, complemented by our extravagant light display glowing over Northfield Avenue. Walk through our festive outdoor Christmas Market bustling with local artisans, food trucks, and live music, rekindling the warmth and joy of the season. And sit down and relax to enjoy our Christmas show, led by Broadway stars Haven Burton and Denny Paschall, as these talented performers awaken the hope and joy of the season on stage.
COVID-19 safety precautions will be followed to the highest standard. For more information about TLCC safety procedures, visit https://christmas.tlcc.org/saf.
12/19, 9am: Free Mini Photo Sessions at Verona Park Boathouse
Capture you and your loved ones (furry ones included!) with a fun 30 minute photoshoot at Verona Park with one our local photographers.
12/20, 5-7pm: Living Nativity | Free | Rain or Shine at Calvary Lutheran Church – 23 S. Prospect St., Verona
Experience the Nativity with real actors in elaborate costumes with live animals, music and refreshments.
Must try Pizzerias in Verona
/0 Comments/in Local Business, Real Estate Blog, Verona /by Shirley ParkPizza is hands down one of the most beloved foods consumed by Americans. Fun fact: Americans eat an average of 46 slices of pizza per year (packaged facts, New York). This amounts to 23 pounds of pizza per year and 350 slices of pizza per second.
This is our must try list in Verona:
1. Grimaldi’s Verona
With direct ties to the famous Brooklyn location, their fresh ingredients, handmade mozzarella, ‘secret recipe’ dough and pizza sauce make them stand out.
2. Bella Gente
They serve delicious Italian dishes and gourmet brick oven pizza.
3. Borino
High quality and consistently well prepared food.
4. Anthony Franco’s Pizza
Authentic, New York-style pizza, as well as many classic and modern Italian dishes without compromising on cost or relying on ingredients that are frozen or preserved.
5. Frank Anthony’s Gourmet Italian
Offers fresh traditional and eclectic Italian- American cuisine.
6. NICK’S Salugo Bistro
Not just an incredible pizzeria but also an equally amazing Italian restaurant.
7. The Pizza Terminal & Restaurant
A subway themed gourmet pizzeria and restaurant.
8. Famous Ray’s Pizza of NY
Small, straightforward pizza parlor specializing in big thin-crust slices & Sicilian-style pies.
**Pro Tip: Lake Side Deli offers family night meals which include really good flatbread pizza (the kids adore it)
Local restaurants offering Thanksgiving meals
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Shirley ParkWith Thanksgiving looking to be smaller and simpler than usual, we did the work for you and found our local restaurants that are offering Thanksgiving to-go to help take the stress out of planning. We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
The Fox & Falcon’s (South Orange)
Dine in or check out their Thanksgiving Catering Menu – https://www.thefoxandfalconnj.com
Ariane Kitchen & Bar (Verona)
“You take care of the bird, we’ll take care of the rest”. Offering Thanksgiving catered orders to-go. Call to order: 973-744-0533 or email at iwant2b@arianekb.com / http://www.arianekb.com
Bistro D’Azur (South Orange)
Let them cook for you on Thanksgiving Day! Place your orders on their website from the ‘Thanksgiving’ section only and select Thursday, November 26th for your order date – https://www.bistrodazur.com/thanksgiving
Highlawn Pavilion (West Orange)
Dine with them on Thanksgiving or take it to-go! Scroll to the bottom to see our Thankgiving takeaway dinner menu – https://highlawn.com/thanksgiving/
Ashley Marketplace & Cafe (South Orange)
Every year they serve up their traditional Thanksgiving menu to our local communities. Orders yours today! http://www.ashleymarketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/thanks17.pdf
Kings Food Market (Maplewood)
We are your go-to stop for Thanksgiving to-go. Order from our menu – https://catering.kingsfoodmarkets.com/items/folder/thanksgiving-menu.
Violante’s Catering (Bloomfield) – Offering pre-cooked complete Thankgiving dinners to-go. They also have fresh turkey, spiral hams, turkey braest and sweetheart breasts for the holidays – https://violantescatering.com/thanksgiving.
Cozy Fall Events in South Orange & Maplewood
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by adminCozy Fall Events in South Orange & Maplewood
There’s still a whole lot of Autumn left to enjoy. Check out a few of these upcoming local SOMA events for a cozy time with friends, family and loved ones.
November 7 & 8, 11am-5pm: 17th Annual South Orange Maplewood Artists Studio Tour
Artists in South Orange and Maplewood come together every year to open their studios to visitors, friends and everyone curious about how people in the visual arts make their work.
Visitors are urged to check the Studio Tour website at https://studiotoursoma.com for additional details and important Covid-related information!
Mondays from 2-7pm (Until Nov 18th): Maplewood Farmers Market
Shop our local farms all in one place at our 26th annual Farmers Market.
Holiday Open Air Market
This market is a temporary outdoor retail outlet that will sell finely crafted jewelry, apparel, accessories, art and gift items made by many of our area’s finest local artisans and craftspeople. The Open Air Holiday Market will be open for 5 Thursdays – 11/19, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17, 12/24 (x-mas eve) from 4-8 PM and on Small Business Saturday, 11/28 from 11 AM to 4 PM. The market will be located in the Sloan Street Parking Lot (opposite the NJ Transit Train Station). The market will provide the community with great gift options while offering a safe shopping experience. More details HERE.