Hillsy and I are still getting to know our new town but I thought it would be fun to show you around and share why we fell in love with Maplewood in the first place…
A 30 to 40 minute train ride away from midtown Manhattan, numerous parks scattered around town, charming Colonials, Victorians, Tudors one after the other, a community pool in the summer, an authentic Irish pub and an old movie house in the middle of downtown or should I say the “village” – what’s not to love? Hillsy and I were knee-deep in searching for the perfect town to move to after growing tired of the congested city life in East Village-NYC and one visit to Maplewood (thanks to my dear friend Melissa) 3 months later we found ourselves in a new house, a car and … 5 kids (just kidding about that last part).
I’m still learning my way around town and we never leave our house without our GPS. I’m embarrassed to say this, but I really haven’t had the chance to explore – we moved back in October and I’ve spent every waking moment including weekends painting and fixin’ up the house. Then winter came into the picture and I found myself cooped up inside the house blogging, blogging and blogging some more.
I’ve grown quiet comfortable with a couple of places around town – I’m sure there’s plenty more to come, but for now here are my personal favorites… (If you live in town and have additional recommendations, please share and help this sister out!)
My top 3 favorite shops:
1. Perch Home 9 Highland Place tel. 973-821-4852
I stopped by Perch Home last week to finally introduce myself to Michelle who owns the shop. We’ve been emailing for a while now and just kept missing each other! Oh how I love her shop! It’s tucked away on a side street but that never stops us locals from droppin’ in to say hello and to check out the latest treasures Michelle has in store for us. A nice mixture of new and flea market finds, you’ll always feel like a kid in a candy store!
Michelle also hosts “find & go seek”- flea market mini-vacations. She provides gift bags, luxury coach accommodation, breakfast/snacks and plenty of room in the bus to lug home your finds! Next trip: April 24 – Rennigers Antique Extravaganza! Call 973-885-3275 for more information.
** Mention this post and receive 20% off any regularly priced baby gift thru April 30th, 2009.
2. 3R Living 147 Maplewood Avenue tel. 973-762-4148
Always a friendly hello when you walk in and pressure-free browsing! So important, since I love looking around and discovering endless ways to be more eco-aware. And I have to say, it always smells SO good in the shop, what? I’m just sayin’…
3R Living sells the highest quality eco-friendly organic products and gifts. These products are carefully selected with the principles of reducing waste, reusing unwanted or discarded materials and recycling in mind. We are a small family owned business, that prides itself on personalized customer service and offering the best products for every lifestyle and budget. 3R Living Maplewood also offers an in-store recycling center that accept broken/unwanted crayons, umbrellas, and techno-trash. Questions? Give us a call at 973 762 4148. Or stop by and see us (across from the Maplewood train station)!
** Mention this post and receive 15% off regularly priced merchandise. Some exclusions apply. Discount also valid in the Brooklyn location and on www.3rliving.com (promocode
HEARTHM). Offer good 3/27 through 4/2.
3. Little One & Co. 1 Highland Place tel. 973-763-7070
The newest kid on the block but will surely soon be a classic village staple. Sigh If only I were 4 feet shorter and about 30 years younger or had some kiddies of my own… this shop is full of goodness for your favorite little ones. Proprietress Hanh keeps her shop fully stocked with classic favorites like Appaman, Ben Sherman, Biscotti/Kate Mack, Kate Quinn Organics, Tea Collection, Zutano just to name a few!
** In the area? Stop by and mention this post and receive 15% off your entire purchase. *Offer valid through April 30, 2009. Offer not valid on sale items and cannot be used in combination with any other offer.
My favorite places to get my grub on:
Crane’s Delicatessen & Cheese Shoppe 175 Maplewood Avenue tel. 973-763-2050 Excellent sandwiches, homemade potato chips, oh and a little piece of the city is shipped in daily – bread from Sullivan St. Bakery. My favorites: House Roasted Pork Loin (w/ apple chutney and baby arugula on a ciabatta roll) and the Chef Dave’s BBQ Pork Sandwich!!
St. James’s Gate Publick House
167 Maplewood Avenue tel. 973-378-2222
I don’t think the town would’ve been approved by sir Hillsy if it
didn’t have one decent pub! Guinness? Check. Plus the fish & chips
aren’t bad for this side of the pond.
Special Mention:
Milk Money 410 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood NJ tel. 973-313-1061 My friend Melissa swears by this shop and if I had kids I would probably be in here everyday. Knowing how quickly kids outgrow their clothes, I think it’s a great idea. A children’s consignment shop where you can shop as well as sell clothes that your kids have outgrown. upper level is filled with infant, kid, and maternity clothing; and you’ll find toys and other larger items in the lower level.
Words Bookstore 179 Maplewood Ave, Maplewood, NJ 07040 tel. 973-763-9500 Our local bookshop with a special focus on helping kids with special needs. Check out this great article about the owners and their vision for the shop.
Remember Me Antiques 411 Ridgewood Rd, Maplewood, NJ 07040 tel. 973-901-7960 A wonderful selection of antiques and estate sales treasures! Jerry Rose Floral and Event Design 76 Maplewood Ave, Maplewood, NJ. tel. 973-762-1085 Nothing cheers me up more than a bunch of freshly cut flowers. – Jerry Rose keeps a small selection at the shop in addition to home and decor accessories.
Knitknack 1914 Springfield Ave, Maplewood, NJ 07040 tel. 973-763-6066 A knitter’s haven.
Ricciardi Brothers 1915 Springfield Ave, Maplewood, NJ 07040 tel. 973-762-3830 Oh what would I do without you guys? My walls would be dull and drab. My favorite place to buy paint (Benjamin Moore) and important to note that chivalry is not dead at 1915 Springfield – the guys here never fail to offer their muscles to help you carry your paint cans to the car.
Blogs & Sources dedicated to Maplewood: http://maplewood.patch.com http://maplewood.blogs.nytimes.com/ http://www.maplewoodonline.com/ Excellent classifieds section where you can find info on all the yard sales for the week! I’ve scored some really great furniture deals!
Six months later, the transition from big city life to green grass, trees, space and raccoons is getting a tiny bit easier… it’s an ongoing process. We’re still getting used to home ownership and all it’s jazz. Will we survive the burbs? Hmmm not sure about that yet, but if ol’ blue eyes keeps his promise then we should be able to make it anywhere. Right?
Thank you again Grace for having me over this week! I had such a blast sharing a little bit of Heart Handmade with your readers, not sure how long it’ll take me to get over this one! Nathan, Chelsea, David, Hannah, and Katy – thanks so much for the interviews. Also a huge thank you to everyone who took the time out to comment, I’m basically a huge dork and was refreshing every other minute to check for new ones :)
Have a great weekend everyone!! x Marichelle
28 Comments
Oh my goodness, that’s my hometown!
Great post! Now I want to visit!
This place looks like heaven! I can’t wait to schedule a visit from Hoboken. What a charming town!
This was a very fun read & browse, thank you for sharing Marichelle! Maplewood sounds like a really lovely place.
Thank you for posting this! I live about half an hour south of Maplewood, and after reading about Perch Home previously I’ve always wanted to check out the town. I’ve really come to enjoy exploring the cute towns in NJ in the few years I’ve lived here.
Thanks for showing some NJ love!! It’s much appreciated.
Thanks for the post – My husband and I live in Jersey City and we are starting to think about finding a town in Jersey to relocate – one of the main thing’s we are concerned with is the commute – and family-friendliness which looks pretty good in Maplewood! Now i’m very excited to show him this post. Thanks!
What a charming little town! Thanks for giving us a little snapshot of your new neighborhood. It’s easy to see why you guys love it there :).
oooh i miss nj! i lived in hoboken, but worked close to maplewood, in a town called westfield. the homes really are gorgeous and old and the towns have so much character.
oh my god, you have to get yourself to Arturo’s (you have a pic above) it is (or was, I haven’t been there in about 7 years) THE best pizza you will eat. Authentic wood fired ovens. Enough said.
We are currently looking in earnest for a new hosue in Maplewood. We are currently in Westchester, but we have fallen in love with your town, and hope to be living there very soon! Thank you for this wonderful post, and if I do move there (please, God?), I hope to meet nice folks like you!
Oh, please, we’re not charming.
We aspire to be radical, obnoxious, and the replacement for the Lower East Side.
Now you just have to make your way over next door to South Orange and you’ll have finished the tour. *grin*
I agree about Arturo’s. We ate there and keep talking about it. Blistered, crispy crust. Mmmmm, and all I have is nasty leftover lo-mein.
That’s it!
I want to move!
I’ve grown up in Maplewood and was so excited to see my hometown featured on design sponge! I come home every chance I get and just popped into Perch Home this week – very pleasant surprise! There are tons of new and creative businesses always popping up.
In terms of food though, I was a little disappointed that Village Trat wasn’t on the list! BEST Pizza in town… !
This is a wonderful snapshot of Maplewood. It’s great when newcomers discover all the wonderful shops and restaurants this little gem of a town has to offer. And yes, Jules, Arturo’s is still in Maplewood Village and is still awesome! In fact, the Village is having a great event coming up on April 25th – “Spring Open Market.” It’s all about shopping & dining “al fresco,” live music, art, etc. Info will be posted soon on maplewoodonline.com, patch.com, nytimes.com/maplewood, and other sites as well.
I moved to maplewood 6 years ago for many of the same reasons. My priorities included the diversity of the community. My kids have 2 moms and never once has there been an eyebrow raised. I recall talking to a new neighbor and saying that I felt as though I were “waiting for the other shoe to drop”. Needless to say, the other has never dropped. I have made what I am sure are lifelong friends. I have never felt the sense of community anywhere that I feel here. I grew up on LI in the 60′s and then moved around quite a bit over the years. 25+ years later, I land in Maplewood and do not foresee a time or reason to leave. Thanks for this wonderful snapshot!
We just moved to Maplewood last October. We recently discovered the neighbors on all sides of us also moved from Brooklyn. I love our new community and our new home. And definitely don’t miss Bill and Harry’s Chinese on Maplewood, Ave.
Don’t forget the Tenth Muse Gallery on Baker Street! They carry fine crafts and jewelry–many made by local artists. My home is filled with their art glass and ceramics and I love to mix their unique jewelry with my grandmother’s pieces from the ’20′s. A great place for gifts, too. I love Maplewood!
We moved to Maplewood from Brooklyn 5 years ago and I’ve never been happier. It’s a fantastic community and a great place for my two girls to grow up. Thanks for the post and spreading the word!
I used to live in Maplewood! It is so charming, glad to see it is getting some attention.
Maplewood is the greatest. I grew up there and still stay close to the area. Wife and I are hoping to settle down there someday. Enjoy the town!
I have lived in Maplewood, right by the center of town for the last 7 years. Love it. We can walk to the train in five minutes, to the center of town by walking around the corner. It’s the perfect town. We may not have the biggest house, or the biggest yard, but we have a great community here.
You have convinced me! My partner and I live in the west village now in manhattan and love Maplewood..I am sure we will be your neighbours within a few years- fingers crossed.
Perch is, without a doubt, one of the best stores around. They always a great selection of cool, original things, from housewares to perfume, to jewelry. Never disappointed.
I grew up in Short Hills, just a few minutes away from Maplewood. Do yourself a favor and go to the Millburn Deli. It’s just across the reservation.
What a great blog! I live in Maplewood but grew up in NYC. It’s a wonderful place – a small picturesque small town with a city sensibility! The people are wonderful and the village itself is unique, due to all the great shops and restaurants.
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