Research Firm Presents Results of BID Survey

Firm highlights challenges and opportunities for businesses in Springfield.

What will the future of Springfield business look like? On Monday, Jan. 14, Springfield business owners and residents packed the Joe Pepe Training room at the Fire Department Headquarters in hopes of getting an answer to that question. Mark Lohbauer from the JGSC Group research firm presented the results of the extensive marketing survey undertaken by the firm at the direction of Springfield's Business Improvement District last year. The survey and other studies undertaken by JGSC created a snapshot of Springfield’s shopping districts, the spending characteristics of people in and around the Township and how township businesses related to shopping in other towns. With that data, the group drew conclusions and made recommendations about the…

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Top Kid Toy Picks for 2012 Holiday Season: Gift Guide

A look at the hot toys for tots this holiday season.

Every holiday season, the mailbox fills with the latest toy catalogs. Children peruse the pages as they scribble their lists, daydreaming about what they will find under the tree come Christmas morning. Parents pull out their pocketbooks, spending hard-earned cash as they anticipate the joy on those little faces. What will be the runaway favorites this year is always a guess, but here are some of the latest trends, mixed with tried-and-true perennial favorites.  jChews Smartphone teether by Jellystone No tears for parents or babies. Babies love nothing more than to gum Mom and Dad’s cell phone, but now they’ll be too intrigued with their own smartphone to chew on. The Jellystone smartphone teether comes in seven funky colors and is BPA …

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Today: Local Shopping Event to Benefit Seniors

Shop for SAGE will donate 20 percent of proceeds towards programs for senior citizens. Artisans and shop owners from Chatham, Westfield, Hillsborough, New Providence, Madison, Mendham, Scotch Plains and Stirling will be on hand to offer their merchandise

SAGE Eldercare will hold its first “Shop for SAGE” event today, May 3 from 10 am to 7 pm at 290 Broad Street in Summit.  Local artisans will be on hand to sell elegant handbags, chic fashion and jewelry, fabulous artwork, homemade treats, dazzling stationery, fragrant lotions and soaps and more!   “We are very excited to bring together some unique vendors who are willing to help support SAGE Eldercare services and programs,” stated Dawn Knill, Director of Development for SAGE.  “This is a great opportunity forgetting the perfect Mother’s Day gift, graduation presents, year-end teacher gifts and more,” she added. Some of the local vendors include: Sandella Art – Sandy Marmorato, Summit After teaching art for many years, Sandy Marmorato …

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Attention Black Friday Shoppers!

Score Black Friday deals right here in Union County.

If you're looking for the hottest Black Friday steals and deals, there's no need to get trampled on at the mall. You can fill all your Black Friday shopping needs in the local shops and chain stores around Union County. The following is a round-up of just some of the sales you'll find this Friday. Early Birds can hit downtown Westfield at 5:00am when Victoria's Secret opens its doors with free totes of goodies to shoppers who spend over $65! The Gap kicks off Black Friday at 6:00am with $19 doorbuster deals plus 20%, 40% and 60% storewide sales, which began earlier in the week. Save 20% storewide at The Children’s Place, beginning 6:00am. Lord & Taylor offers deep discounts and doorbuster deals to 5:00am shoppers. Castle Bootery continues …

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Frugal Family

Let's Find a Deal: Bargains Abound in Union County

From $25 mani/pedis in Summit to grocer-store specials, Patch is looking for ways to help you stretch a buck.

This week, Frugal Families scoured our local sources to come up with great deals around the area.  Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions:  1. Michael's Hair Stylists, Millburn Deal: $11 haircuts on Mondays for kids 11 and under. 2. Plaza Lanes, Madison Deal: Kids Parties starting at $13.99 per person, includes pizza, sodas, 2 hours bowling + bowling autograph pins! (Bring your birthday cake!) 3. Ethos Spa, Summit Deal: 20% off on Ethos antioxidant facials ($90) when you print and present this listing. $450 savings: purchase a package of five laser foto facials for $1,200 and get Obagi medical skin home care system free. 4. Peter Wallburg Studios, Summit Deal: Free 8×10 photo with your photography session. Good …

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Retail Vacancy Rate in Springfield and the rest of County Climbs

Route 22 retail stores part of new study examining North Jersey’s major highways.

Springfield is part of a recent survey that outlines the vacancy rate for retail space in North Jersey. Conducted by Old Bridge real estate firm R.J. Brunelli & Company, the study reveals that Union county's rate has increased to 8 percent. The number is up from last year's 6.6 percent. Issued this April, the overall report focused on the vacancy rate in retail properties along North Jersey's six major shopping highways. Included among them were stretches in Morris, Bergen, Essex, Somerset, Passaic, and Union counties. The reason for Union county's increase, the study claims, is due to the closing or downsizing of many "big-box" retail chains such as Circuit City, Office Depot, a 43,000 square foot Pathmark in North Plainfield, and the …

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Springfield Farmers Market—Small But Sweet

A wide range of fresh products available every Monday—right on Mountain Avenue

The Springfield Farmers market is open for business Mondays from noon to 6 pm. It's located in the Dayton parking lot during July and August. Once school re-opens it moves over to Ruby Park. This year there are several new vendors. In addition to vegetables, Springfield residents can pick up everything from bread and cheese to nuts at the local market. Even though it's a relatively small market, it's very active. Patch recently met with Township Committeeman Marc Krauss to tour the market and see what was new.  When we were there on the 19th the place was hopping with many people turning out to purchase fresh produce and other delicious items on a hot day in July. Krauss told us that he has hopes that this is the first step in ramping up …

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Springfield Index: Father's Day Presents For $100 A Pop

Still looking for gift ideas for the head of the family? Head out to 22 or Morris Avenue and grab one of these finds.

Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. It's a wonderful time of the year—the days are long and the weather has finally warmed up.  Families get together and make 'greeting card' memories at barbeques, around pools and parks. The Index is feeling sentimental this Father's Day (we were actually * ahem * born on Father's Day). So instead of checking for low-priced bargains for The Index we decided to see just what kind of manly presents we could find in the Springfield retail corridors on Route 22 and Morris Avenue for around $100. Sports Authority, Route 22 eastbound:  Our first thought was to look for a bicycle, but we were dreaming with prices starting way out of our range. We did see some nice retro-style bowling balls …

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The Springfield Index

Pricing Out Flip-Flops

The summertime footwear is now an official fashion statement. Here's how to get the look for less, right here and now.

Last weekend's Memorial Day marked the un-official start of summer. And what could be more warm-weather friendly than a pair of flip-flops? They're the ultimate in footwear democracy; everyone wears them at one time or another. I  have certainly purchased many pairs over the years.  Even though my kids are now young adults we're still keeping them in flip-flops. Of course, now they're more interested in high-end department store brands than the inexpensive Drug Fair ones.  And in case you weren't paying attention, flip-flops have morphed into a fashion item, with many designers offering the rubber footwear emblazoned with logos and large price tags. If you're not ready to purchase a $45 Tory Burch pair, like the ones we saw at the Short …

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Next Exit: But Look How Much Money I Saved

I can stop shopping the sales anytime I want to.

In hindsight, we probably didn't need all ten cans of fat-free, refried beans.  Even in a legume-intensive household like ours, no one wants quesadillas that many nights in a row. My family and my friends have been dropping hints left and right.  And I'm beginning to see where I might overdo it once in a while.  It's not a full-blown problem, though. I can stop any time I want.   But when you can't close your pantry doors, when you start to hide your purchases in different nooks and crannies of the house to avoid admitting to yourself how badly you wanted that ten rolls of Charmin for such a good price, when the wheels of your shopping cart collapse under the weight of all of those jugs of laundry detergent so that the teen at the check-…

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