Westfield NJ a "Great American Main Street"

If you wonder why Westfield NJ appears as one of the Best Places to Shop & Walk, don't just take my word for it. Here's what the National Trust for Historic Preservation had to say when it awarded Westfield its "Great American Main Street Award" in 2004:


"For economic revitalization, enhanced downtown and historic preservation by Downtown Westfield Corporation."

Westfield was one of only 5 towns in the entire United States that won the designation. The other towns were Burlington IA, Encinitas CA, Paso Robles CA, and Rogers AR.

The Farmhouse Store

The arrival of The Farmhouse Store on East Broad Street (from its previous location on North Avenue) brings its cornucopia of home decor and personal accessories to the center of Westfield's downtown pedestrian walking district.



















This is a real one-stop-shopping sort of place, where you can find colorful accent rugs, throws, bird houses, pillows and planters along with attractive dinnerware, bowls, baskets, tabletop accents, candles, soaps and creams, lamps and side tables. If you're purchasing gifts here, you can buy accompanying cards to go with them.


The Farmhouse Store Barnwood Collection is a line of furniture that is "handcrafted using antique barn boards that have been carefully reclaimed from old barns and mills. This beautiful old wood is between 100 and 200 years old."


In the personal fashion category, there are charming tapestry-patchwork totes, several cases filled with artisan jewelry,


and sophisticated crafty handbags and backpacks.

Kiehl's Since 1851, in Westfield NJ

Kiehl's Since 1851 is known for skin and hair products made from natural ingredients.
What I didn't realize until I stopped in the Westfield shop on E. Broad Street, is that Kiehl's also makes products for children and babies.







Even more unusual is that it's a source for natural grooming products for dogs and horses! Did you know that? Here are photos of pooches with healthy coifs, courtesy of Kiehl's.











For women, there is a complete line of face, body, hair, sunscreen and fragrance formulations. Men can find natural shampoos, hair styling, and lip care treatments.

Ahrre's Coffee Roastery in Westfield NJ

You can't walk down Elm Street in downtown Westfield NJ without noticing the comforting coffee aroma wafting out from Ahrre's Coffee Roastery. This tiny storefront is home to "the highest grade of Arabica Coffee available from around the world . . . and Ahrre's roasts"the beans in small batches to insure the quality of the roast and to maintain our high standards of freshness." It's that small batch roasting process that makes this fair-trade sourced coffee special.

Another thing that makes Ahrre special is the concert series he produces, Coffee with Conscience, which raises funds for worthy charities while showcasing national touring folk, blues, and folk/rock performers at the First Methodist Church in Westfield. The next concert will take place on September 19th, featuring Bob Malone.

Rockn' Joe in Westfield NJ

Rockn' Joe is one of those local spots that seamlessly spans generations. Depending on the time of day or day of the week, you'll see moms with kids, teenagers, Boomers, or seniors, enjoying really fresh and delicious healthy sandwiches, soups, quiches, omelettes, and salads; dreamy desserts; specialty coffees, espresso, teas, and blended smoothies.

Most of the time the music -- which tends towards the rockn' side -- is piped in from above. But on Wednesday nights, there's an open mic which spotlights local singer/songwriters. On weekend afternoons you can often see friends and family filling the house to support the sounds of fledgling teen bands, such as Boulevard.


Call Rockn' Joe to find out about other scheduled gigs. The atmosphere is casual and cozy, the service friendly and knowledgeable.

More Summer Music in Downtown Westfield NJ

Did a drive-through downtown Westfield NJ last night on the way back from a meeting in Garwood. Weather was perfect, and downtown was hopping, with a nice crowd gathered on North Avenue in front of the train station to hear live jazz.

TONIGHT: Don't forget to check out the weekly Wednesday music double-bill: Open Mic at Rockn Joe AND The Booglerizers at 16 Prospect Wine Bar. From 8-10PM both places. On Prospect Street in downtown Westfield NJ, between North Avenue and E. Broad Street.

Just bounce back and forth to hear good tunes, see new talent, and enjoy good food and drink, right here in downtown Westfield NJ!

Holiday Music at the Westfield NJ Train Station TONIGHT!

Freemusic to enjoy tonight, Thursday, July 2, 6:30PM-9PM in front of the Westfield NJ Train Station, on North Avenue side:

A Good Parking Problem in Westfield NJ

It's sometimes difficult to find a parking space in downtown Westfield, NJ. Contrary to what you might think, that can be a good thing. It means this busy commuter village of 30,000 residents has become a destination for high end shopping and high visibility dining, and lots of people want to be there.

How did this come to be? And what makes Westfield NJ different than any number of well-off suburbs in the New York metropolitan area?

For one thing, the street layout has an open, breezy feeling, with the NJ Transit station spilling its passengers right onto Elm Street,

a "restaurant row" that is especially appealing during the warm weather months, when every eatery has outdoor cafe tables out front.

For another, Westfield NJ decided years ago to energize its shopping core by inviting high end national brand mall stores into its downtown, intermingled with local unique merchants. In a region where mall shopping has become the norm, Westfield NJ is able to compete with the malls as an alternative destination.


It's become a fun place to spend the day or evening: shopping at brand name retailers such as Ann Taylor, The Gap, Victoria's Secret, and Aerosoles, along with quirky local boutiques and service businesses, then grabbing a bite at any of the numerous and varied cafes and restaurants right there.

So, unlike other commuter towns in New Jersey or New York, which can feel rather insular and provincial, focusing in on their residents and wary of outsiders, with downtown merchants struggling to lure enough business to stay afloat, Westfield NJ has come up with a mix of retail and dining that satisfies the needs of its residents while also attracting the spending power of visitors from other places. The result is a town that always feels like the place to be, with a vibrant street life and upscale tone that feels a bit like being on vacation.