I really like talking to the older folks who have been around for years in the area. I miss the Radio Shack that used to be on Irvington Avenue. The hardware store on Springfield avenue was so convenient too. Sometimes I get nostalgic sitting on a bench in maplecrest park and remembering my kids playing. Most of the kids from their age group have all moved away.
I really like talking to the older folks who have been around for years in the area. I miss the Radio Shack that used to be on Irvington Avenue. The hardware store on Springfield avenue was so convenient too. Sometimes I get nostalgic sitting on a bench in maplecrest park and remembering my kids playing. Most of the kids from their age group have all moved away.
I miss the view of the lights of the World Trade Center at night from my bedroom, and the sense that the world was still functioning because the lights were there. I miss the Cheese Shop on Maplewood Avenue, and Book Stop, and Verjus. Don’t miss the old post office though. Downtown looks much better architecturally speaking even though it doesn’t feel like mine anymore.
I miss friends who have moved away over the years, children playing in front yards while their parents watched from their front stoops, railcars that were flush with the platform at Maplewood Station, being able to stop by the side door at the old post office when there was a mail delivery problem. more people walking to destinations around town than driving, being able to buy what you needed at local clothing, shoe, stationary, hardware, and 5 and 10 stores that are no longer on Springfield Avenue or in the Village.
I know my view doesn’t count as strongly, however I really really miss JTA and JustMe Laura. I know some other dear friends I miss are in the Lounge but I don’t use other social media (MOL is my first and only). In my head, I talk with these two ladies every week
Before Covid and before internet -- Thanksgiving. Kids would come home from college break and they would be in the village and after dark, there would be some in the high school parking lot, playing frisbee, catching up with each other and maybe even being a bit full of themselves --- after all, they're in college now.
The last couple of years, I didn't see any of that.
And of course, the change in stores. The 5 & 10, hardware store and and drug store in the village. Maple leaf diner, when it was on the corner - and Maple Leaf itself.
McElginn's men's shop where my friend, Noel Parks worked while in high school. But nobody wears suits and ties to work anymore.
Ernie Bartow, the youth pastor at Prospect Pres and his wife, Joan (She later became a minister).
I know my view doesn’t count as strongly, however I really really miss JTA and JustMe Laura. I know some other dear friends I miss are in the Lounge but I don’t use other social media (MOL is my first and only). In my head, I talk with these two ladies every week
I drive past Laura’s home and the restaurant pretty often, and I always think of her. I knew her personally and it is still saddening to know she is not around anymore. I see the intersection in front of the restaurant has been redone, they finally removed the bricks that were in the crosswalk. Some people might remember her tripping over them and having a nasty fall in the street…. She passed away not too long after that. JTA will always be the sweetest cat lady ever on this message board. I still think that scratch from the cat affected her health wise. Grunings is almost always mentioned by the old timers. I really don’t care too much about downtown South Orange these days. I pop in to Sonny’s for a bagel if there’s a parking spot available, it’s just too congested and those apartments aren’t helping.
I miss the movie theatre. I know a lot of people didn’t like the place, but it was an institution. Before our daughter was born, we would go to bargain night on Tuesdays 2-3 times a week at the drop of a hat. We would call another couple that loved going out to the movies and within an hour we’d be watching whatever was playing.
When we lived in the apartments above Maguire’s (where the pub is now) sometimes I would go to the theatre just to buy popcorn then bring it home so we could eat it in front of the TV.
I know it may sound weird, but I remember being able to drop off a local letter or card at the post office and it would be in the person’s mailbox the next day. It sparks a nostalgic feeling in me.
I moved to Maplewood in 1993. I think ever since the Midtown direct line was built, the towns have become much more heavily focused on the Manhattan commuter lifestyle. I know lots of people lived in SOMA who commuted into the city before the link was completed but now it seems to be dominant. It seems like I knew as many people who worked in NJ for AT&T and the pharma industry or other local businesses. I kind of miss that feeling, a little more small-town. Although I’m sure the people who commute to NYC appreciate the hours of their lives they got back when the train ride went from roughly an hour to under 40 minutes.
We moved to Maplewood in the early 80s. As jaytee reminded, things like the Radio Shack, the local hardware stores, etc. made everyday life just a little easier. So too the dime store, tailor in the little space on the side street. Those old, wicker seated trains with the hot steam heating or windows that opened. They were actually quite reliable and if there was a delay, the conductor would take a long stick and beat on the overhead cantenary to restore the proper alignment. The movie theater, including the nearby Lost Picture Show that ran foreign films. It seemed like we all mowed our own yards. And the schools --continuity of leadership at the top. Ahhh, the old days.
I’m sure I’ve heard about Grunings in south orange on Taylor place in that shopping area that’s all gone now, replaced by the apartment building. Behind the old blockbuster store. It was a restaurant for years after Grunings closed. Two locations.
I miss the nice drivers. Even 20 years ago, drivers in Maplewood were more courteous, it seemed to me, at least, than most drivers in nearby towns. They stopped for pedestrians, actually halted at stop signs and didn’t race through red lights. Not so much any more.
Tomo's Sushi, Heart & Soul, the Five and Dime in Maplewood, the toy store run by an awful woman who followed kids and scared them out of the store by tailing us up and down the aisles (OK, I don't miss that place, but it was fun tormenting her by going in with a large group and splitting up), the movie theater that showed Jaws for an entire year, Bill's(?) pet shop, Maplewood camera shop that had a great selection of albums in the back of the store, both Grunings, the bakery in Maplewood, walking to and from grammar school twice a day, being a crossing guard so I could leave class 10 minutes early and help one student cross St. Lawrence Ave. where it intersects with Kendall (or Kendal... did they fix those signs yet?) One day he invited me to cross with him and have a blintz... did so and was like my god why isn't everyone eating these? I digress. Self-organized softball or football games in the local park (Orchard). A friendly neighbor who owned the nearby Forist/greenhouse and would hire neighbors for seasonal work. He also took me and his son up in his Cessna and we circled near the Statue of Liberty, and banked off steeply toward NYC before turning back. Scary. I don't miss that, actually.
Was it Gefkin florist on Ridgewood? I always thought that was a very beautiful house. My kids loved scriveners and yes it seems every kid was followed around the store.
Was it Gefkin florist on Ridgewood? I always thought that was a very beautiful house. My kids loved scriveners and yes it seems every kid was followed around the store.
Yes, Gefken Flowers.
It wasn't Scriveners. The location was a few shops down from The Mapleleaf.
I miss the 5 and 10, the Book Stop (loved discussing mystery novels with the owner!), Peter's Bakery (my kids still rave about their cakes and cookies), Ken Pharmacy (Warren and Elliot were always fun to go in and talk to)....I remember when we had a small clothing store called Delia's, and lots of kid's clothing came from Young Cottage. TJ Marche was where I got my first Dicken's Village house (my husband got it for our second Christmas here). There weren't many restaurants in town in 1980, but the Winolear was where most of us went for a local meal. Hy's Cheesecake on Springfield Ave was a favorite, and DiPietro's (also on Springfield) was a great spot for Italian groceries and food. I always enjoyed the Union Market and the Lost Picture Show where Home Depot is now, and there used to be a drive-through car wash there, too. Very handy. Traffic wasn't as crazy, for sure. We always went to Pierson's for gardening supplies and questions and then we loved Back of the Mill for plants and holiday wreaths and gifts. I miss the early morning cannon firing for July Fourth (and was it done on Memorial Day, too? Can't recall). Eva's for toys was an experience (do I have to say more? ) My son used to love taking to Raggs the cockatoo in the Camera Shop and I always enjoyed Bee & Thistle in it's different locations. There was the video rental store on Maplewood Ave and a smaller one on Inwood. Our kids had savings accounts with their own passbooks at Bank of America - such a lovely building inside. I know I'm forgetting some things!
I miss the 5 and 10, the Book Stop (loved discussing mystery novels with the owner!), Peter's Bakery (my kids still rave about their cakes and cookies), Ken Pharmacy (Warren and Elliot were always fun to go in and talk to)....I remember when we had a small clothing store called Delia's, and lots of kid's clothing came from Young Cottage. TJ Marche was where I got my first Dicken's Village house (my husband got it for our second Christmas here). There weren't many restaurants in town in 1980, but the Winolear was where most of us went for a local meal. Hy's Cheesecake on Springfield Ave was a favorite, and DiPietro's (also on Springfield) was a great spot for Italian groceries and food. I always enjoyed the Union Market and the Lost Picture Show where Home Depot is now, and there used to be a drive-through car wash there, too. Very handy. Traffic wasn't as crazy, for sure. We always went to Pierson's for gardening supplies and questions and then we loved Back of the Mill for plants and holiday wreaths and gifts. I miss the early morning cannon firing for July Fourth (and was it done on Memorial Day, too? Can't recall). Eva's for toys was an experience (do I have to say more? ) My son used to love taking to Raggs the cockatoo in the Camera Shop and I always enjoyed Bee & Thistle in it's different locations. There was the video rental store on Maplewood Ave and a smaller one on Inwood. Our kids had savings accounts with their own passbooks at Bank of America - such a lovely building inside. I know I'm forgetting some things!
Alright. Let's go way back, gotta be '53 and I'm a "blue button 'B" caddy at the golf course. "Pop" is the caddy master. Unless you got there at 7 a.m., you waited a couple of hours to get called.
Blues got to carry only one bag. "A's" can carry two bags. For about 3 hours of work, you got about $3.00, and a hotdog and soda at the 11th hole. Maybe a tip, maybe not.
The soda at the caddy shack was .15 and a piece of pie was .25. So after a day's effort, you went home with, maybe $2.00.
In November, caddies got invited to a dinner, magic show and stuff given out that was left over from the club store.
I went home, hot and tired. But I loved that job.
Years later, I would see Pop at Grunnings, wearing a golf hat.
Alright. Let's go way back, gotta be '53 and I'm a "blue button 'B" caddy at the golf course. "Pop" is the caddy master. Unless you got there at 7 a.m., you waited a couple of hours to get called.
Blues got to carry only one bag. "A's" can carry two bags. For about 3 hours of work, you got about $3.00, and a hotdog and soda at the 11th hole. Maybe a tip, maybe not.
The soda at the caddy shack was .15 and a piece of pie was .25. So after a day's effort, you went home with, maybe $2.00.
In November, caddies got invited to a dinner, magic show and stuff given out that was left over from the club store.
I went home, hot and tired. But I loved that job.
Years later, I would see Pop at Grunnings, wearing a golf hat.
I always enjoy reading your stories. Did you know there was a golf course on the site of Winchester Gardens? My old friend who’s in his eighties used to caddy there as a kid. I remember the nursery down at the bottom of Burnett, where that apartment building and soccer field is now (artificial turf)…quick chek was across the street.
Village Drugs next to Gruning's in the Village. It was my favorite place to go to when I was a teen and had a little spending money (lots of babysitting). They had the best soaps, shampoos, perfumes, makeup. I thought I was so grown-up going in there. And it was absolutely cold during the summer. So visceral a memory, I can almost smell and feel it.
Grunings is almost always mentioned by the old timers. I really don’t care too much about downtown South Orange these days.
I remember going to the one on top when visiting my grandparents (in the 1960s.) They lived in Millburn. By the time I moved here (1986), there was just the storefront one in South Orange and it didn't stay open too much longer after that. It certainly was an institution!
Was it Gefkin florist on Ridgewood? I always thought that was a very beautiful house. My kids loved scriveners and yes it seems every kid was followed around the store.
We lived next door on Ridgewood Road for a few years. Laura Otis (and her husband Clyde) was the proprietor. Are they no longer open?
It was two guys named Art, and one guy named George….Jamie was the resident stand up comedian…. I helped with the carpentry. Could’ve been better if they had a liquor license. It was fun while it lasted.
On Springfield Ave, Stanley’s Meat Market and next door was Denk’s. Stanley always gave me a slice of bologna when I came in with my mother and grandmother.
It was two guys named Art, and one guy named George….Jamie was the resident stand up comedian…. I helped with the carpentry. Could’ve been better if they had a liquor license. It was fun while it lasted.
They did have a liquor license when they became the VFW Post and took over the VFW's club license.
) My son used to love taking to Raggs the cockatoo in the Camera Shop and I always enjoyed Bee & Thistle in it's different locations. There was the video rental store on Maplewood Ave and a smaller one on Inwood. Our kids had savings accounts with their own passbooks at Bank of America - such a lovely building inside. I know I'm forgetting some things!
I really like talking to the older folks who have been around for years in the area.
I miss the Radio Shack that used to be on Irvington Avenue. The hardware store on Springfield avenue was so convenient too. Sometimes I get nostalgic sitting on a bench in maplecrest park and remembering my kids playing.
Most of the kids from their age group have all moved away.