Photos: Grand Re-Opening of Sports Authority

Officials mark new start for Route 22 store.

Springfield officials joined members of the business community and the public to mark the grand re-opening of Sports Authority this weekend.  Springfield Mayor Ziad Shehady and Committee member Marc Krauss joined Store Manager Mike Maresca and about a dozen student athletes from Springfield Public Schools.  In an email, Shehady commended Sports Authority for acting as a gracious neighbor and taking an active role with the community by supporting civic and school groups and sponsoring local events.

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What Should Go Here: The Former Site of Sam’s Market

The site of the late and lamented farmer’s market is seeking a new tenant. What are your suggestions?

Sam’s Farmer’s Market is gone, but not forgotten. Springfield Patch readers poured out on Facebook to praise the long closed South Springfield produce vendor. Readers said Sam’s, which closed its doors for the last times in the mid 2000s, offered great vegetables and prepared foods at reasonable prices. Currently, the site attracts mostly drivers coming off Route 22 and looking for an easy u-turn. But judging from a prominent for lease sign on the property, the owners are looking to fill the vacant space. Closely situated to Route 22 and residential properties, the space could serve a variety of functions. Tell us your suggestions in the comments below.

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Springfield is on Sale Today

Springfield businesses will be open late, offering deals and prizes.

Today is your chance to support your local shops and restaurants. Springfield businesses have banded together to offer a townwide sale today under the banner of "Springfield is on Sale." Participating stores and restaurants are offering discounts on merchandise, food and services. In addition, each location will offer customers a chance to enter a raffle for prizes including an iPad. The multi-business sale is the first event undertaken by Springfield's Business Improvement District. Formed in August, 2010, the B.I.D. is a collective effort of Springfield business and property owners aiming to promote and improve the township's economic climate. As part of the promotional efforts, B.I.D. hired Mytown Marketing. The Springfield for Sale …

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What Should Go Here?

A new Patch column solicits reader ideas for filling vacant lots.

It's no secret that downtown Springfield has more than its share of empty storefronts. Patch wants to know what you think is the best way to fill them.  We're starting with a Morris Ave. storefront whose former tenants didn't move far. 246 Morris Ave. was the home to Chinese food restaurant the Tomato Garden until the owners moved the shop across the road to 239 Morris Ave. The person answering the phone at the current Tomato Garden couldn't say when the restaurant moved but the storefront has been vacant since for at least two years.  What do you think should go in now? Let us know in the comments. When we get enough answers, we'll put it to a vote in a poll. 

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Springfield Patriot Chamber of Commerce Leadership Dinner

Rider Insurance, Pinkava's Motor Co. and Linda Donnelly were honored at the Awards Dinner

On Wednesday, May 26,the Springfield Chamber of Commerce held its Leadership Awards Dinner at L'Affaire in Mountainside.  It is an annual tradition, but this year's dinner was the first to take place since the changeover to the Springfield Patriot Chamber of Commerce.  Previously under the umbrella of Gateway Regional Commerce, Springfield now operates independently.  Celebrating that change, Keynote speaker and Business Development Manager for the NJ State Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Christine Overton spoke of transition using butterflies as a metaphor.  She also spoke of treating businesspeople as people, and not businesses.  Overton carries around thousands of business cards with her on a daily basis, helping clients connect to one another…

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Photos: Springfield Patriot Chamber of Commerce Leadership Dinner

Photos from Wednesday night's Leadership Dinner, honoring Rider Insurance, Pinkava's Motor Co., and volunteer of the year Linda Donnelly.

Springfield's Chamber of Commerce held their annual Leadership Dinner tonight at at L'Affaire in Mountainside.  This was the first dinner since the switch to their own organization - now called the Springfield Patriot Chamber of Commerce.

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Rider Insurance Doubles Office Space, Expects to Hire More Staff

Bikers in six states fuel growth of specialty insurer and spur office expansion

There's been a lot of activity behind the red brick walls of Rider Insurance at 120 Mountain Avenue in Springfield. The motorcycle insurance company is in the middle of a construction project that will double the size of its building. A three-story addition is going up on the west side of the building, and an entire third floor is being added on top of the existing structure. When completed, the building will have 22,000 square of space with room for as many as 70 more employees, according to Mark Del Vecchio, Rider's IT and facilities manager who oversees the expansion project. Job Opportunities Coming to Springfield in 2010 "When the job is done," Del Vecchio says, "we'll be ready to start hiring—perhaps as many as ten people this year …

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Gift Cards Can Be A Creative And Personal Gift This Holiday

If you're not sure about what to buy your loved one, consider some creative ways to give a gift card from a local store.

If you're torn on what to get your loved ones, friends or even co-workers this holiday season, think small and plastic gift cards are a great option. And there is no shortage of local retailers who sell them. Local businesses provide such a wide variety of goods and services, you don't have to brave the mall crowds to come up with something creative. It's all in the presentation and can still be very personal. "We have a lot of people coming in and buying the gift certificates," said Irma Cruz of Exclusive Salon and Spa in Fanwood, noting that they make the perfect gift to give to someone who wouldn't ordinarily treat themselves to something special. The full service spa opened earlier this year in the new development across from the …

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Second Childhood Consignment Store Offers Pint-Sized Treasure

It's not necessary to spend a fortune to have your kids look like a million

Vanessa Johnson knows kids' stuff.  The owner of Morris Avenue's Second Childhood consignment store has seen it all, from sports equipment to junior bridesmaid dresses from infant layettes to winter coats coming through her front door. The store has been in business in the same spot for 34 years.  Second Childhood is a very cozy and down-to-earth place that's stuffed with exclusive brand label items hanging next to ones from discount big box stores. "We take any and all brands, as long as the clothes are clean and useable." Johnson said. "We base prices on the original cost, keeping in mind that even an expensive item might have been bought 'on sale' for less. Generally we try to get about 25 percent of the original price." Many of the …

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New Restaurant Hosts Networking Event

Today, business owners are invited to bring themselves and their business cards to Sophia's on Morris Ave.

Springfield businesses owners can mingle this evening at newly opened Morris Ave. restaurant Sophia's. The event is the brainchild of Statefarm Insurance agent Michael Scalera, whose office is also on Morris Ave. Believing there is too little communication between township professionals, he and his office manager Tricia Newkirk organized tonight's networking night, which they hope will grow into a monthly event with changing locations. "We wanted to unite the different businesses in town," Scalera said. "I've been in business in Springfield for 10 years and I've seen a disconnect between businesses." The initial idea was for Scalera and Newkirk to visit different businesses and introduce themselves personally. However, they quickly …