Shopping in Westfield NJ

Vicki's Diner

2010-04-09T15:04:00.004-04:00

In New Jersey, freestanding diners--the art deco original-design kind--are a familiar sight. It's less typical to find such a gem tucked between shops on a busy downtown street. Vicki's Diner, on E. Broad Street, in downtown Westfield NJ, is a shiny example.
With gleaming chrome panels interrupted by bright red stripes, Art Deco signage, and red upholstery on the booths inside, Vicki's Diner is a popular destination for locals who know they can get pumpkin pancakes (in season), a warming bowl of chicken soup, wraps, salads, omelettes, takeout, and daily lunch specials. Breakfast is available all day, soups are fresh and homemade. Service is warm and personable at this family-owned downtown Westfield diner.

Westfield NJ a "Great American Main Street"

2009-11-02T11:57:00.002-05:00

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

2009-10-22T15:11:00.012-04:00

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

2009-09-24T10:47:00.012-04:00

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.

Rhain Accessories & Gifts in Westfield NJ

2009-09-22T10:24:00.015-04:00

It's easy to miss Rhain, as you walk along E. Broad Street near Panera in downtown Westfield NJ. This new accessories shop is worth exploring, as it covers so many themes when you're looking to complete a look. Each item has clearly been selected for style, quality, and design originality. This is not a go-through-the-rack sort of store. Rather, it's an edited collection, which will save you valuable shopping time.

For example, in the purse and handbag category, you can choose from casual to evening.

The same is true for jewelry, where you'll see everyday styles as well as shimmery numbers to go with that little black dress or long gown.

Now that the weather is getting cooler, Rhain will keep you warm with sweater-shawls, knit caps, scarves and gloves.

Westfield shoppers look for dependable standards as well as the latest runway trends, and Rhain does a nice job of blending the two, with looks that are acceptably classy and up-to-date at the same time.

Ahrre's Coffee Roastery in Westfield NJ

2009-09-13T18:19:00.005-04:00

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

2009-09-02T15:24:00.010-04:00

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.

Cool Vines - Personalized Selection of Good Wines in Westfield NJ

2009-08-05T15:11:00.012-04:00

Elm Street, between North Avenue and E. Broad Street, in downtown Westfield NJ, is a restaurant row favored by locals and visitors alike. One after another, the interesting and delicious food options tempt, as cafe tables set up outside each boite display menu delights from all over the world.

When you're in the mood to bring your own hand-selected bottle of vino to accompany your meal, stop in first at Cool Vines, the well-stocked and well-organized wine shop right there on restaurant row.

The layout of the store clearly marks the products by their qualities, the location of the originating vineyards, and their ingredients. The staff is knowledgeable and also knows when to let the customer simply enjoy the experience of browsing.

Cool Vines applies three basic criteria to their offerings;

"Only the Best" - They hand-select their wines and present only those that represent true value
"Arranged by Taste" - They guide their customers in the choice of wine to suit one's preference and fit the occasion
"A Website Driven by Your Preferences" - They provide tools to customers for learning about one's personal palate "signature"

You can find out about local tastings on the Cool Vines Web site. Or just stop into the store on the way home from the train.

And ya gotta love the clever pickup service offered by this trendy shop: You can pay for your wine and continue with your shopping in town. Take one of their wireless valet bells when you leave the store. Pull up to the curb, ring the bell and Cool Vines in Westfield NJ will run your order out to your car!

Staples copyandprint in downtown Westfield NJ- helps you look good

2009-07-23T12:58:00.005-04:00

BFE (before the freelance era), those of us who worked for large companies had entire back office print departments at our disposal to spiff up our reports, marketing materials, and PowerPoint presentations. And probably, too, someone on staff to give each item the once-over, making sure that it looked professional and neat. Well, needless to say, times have changed in the working world, and if the "world headquarters" for your business is a home office, who's gonna help you look good now?

Well, thankfully, Staples copyandprint has devised a specialty version of its popular everything-for-the-office chain, and conveniently, they've located a Staples copyandprint shop right on E. Broad Street, in downtown Westfield.
While there are shelves full of basic supplies, such as papers, printer inks, pens, computer accessories, etc., this store focuses on printing and copying. Their special niches include:

1) the printing job that requires higher quality and quantity than your home printer or copier can handle

2) the job that's too small for a standard high-volume 4-color print shop

3) the job that needs to be done right now, even if right now is 8 PM, when other printers are closed

The staff is knowledgeable and professional about completing your project on time and to your specifications. You can sign up for a Staples rewards card that pays you a quarterly rebate on your printing and paper purchases. And there's a Business Rewards program that gives you a 10% discount on your print jobs, if you spend a minimum amount per year.

To save time and take advantage of further possible discounts, email your print job to the store, and they'll have it ready for you to pick up.

Staples copyandprint Business Development Manager, Sal Cicale, is happy to meet with you to set up ongoing print runs for your company. He's got an eagle eye for quality layout and printing--and their impact on marketing your company's products or services.

Poppyfields Home ni Westfield NJ - Full of Colorful Possibilities

2009-07-19T18:53:00.008-04:00

A shop window in Westfield NJ can only give a hint of all the useful and cheerful items inside. That's certainly the case with Poppyfields Home, on Elm Street. A display of kids' frocks dances behind the glass, yet there's so much more when you step into this wonderland of yummy gifts and home furnishings.
In addition to the lovely children's furniture, gifts, and baby ware, Poppyfields Home offers grownup goodies, such as Bella Notte linens, soaps, candles, pillows, throws, and kitchen accessories such as "Westfield NJ kitchen towels."

You can also order custom bedding, window treatments, and furniture. Poppyfields Home in Westfield NJ is a candy-colored playland of decorative possibilities.

More Summer Music in Downtown Westfield NJ

2009-07-08T11:05:00.005-04:00

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!

2009-07-02T10:46:00.005-04:00

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

2009-07-01T11:30:00.007-04:00

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.