Beaded Path Is Leaving Springfield Avenue

"We are sorry to see them leave Maplewood," wrote Mayor Vic DeLuca today upon release of news that The Beaded Path is moving from Springfield Avenue to South Orange. "They were one of the early investors on Springfield Avenue and we will always appreciate their confidence in our plans to revitalize the area."

Indeed, as the Mayor said, The Beaded Path has been a frontier business in the revitalization of Springfield Avenue. 

Opening in December 2003 just after NetNomads (now Kari's Cafe) but before Wooden You Know (now gone), Knitknack, Stories in Motion or Shakti Yoga & Living Arts, The Beaded Path was trailblazing a path for other businesses to follow.

The Beaded Path has been a retail leader on the Avenue in other ways: sponsoring events and keeping seven-day-a-week business hours while wholesaling beads to professional crafters and retailing beads, offering beading classes and hosting beading parties.

Earlier today, owner Jennifer Berkeley's husband George put out the word that The Beaded Path will be moving to Village Plaza in South Orange in the new year (in the old "It's a Wrap" space next to Harrar Ethiopian Cafe). Jennifer expects build-out to take two months; so the Springfield Avenue operation should continue at least through March 1.

With George Berkeley opening a UPS Store on South Orange Avenue earlier this year, perhaps it is no wonder that the Berkeleys are seeking to move this operation to South Orange as well.

Jennifer Berkeley confirmed that, yes, indeed, it will be nice to be closer to George. She said this afternoon in a phone interview that her main reason for moving, however, is the need for more space. It seems that, even in a down economy, business is good for The Beaded Path. 

"There really was not anything suitable here on Springfield Avenue," she said, noting that she couldn't come to terms with the landlord of the former Cafe Meow space across the street. Meanwhile, the new location in South Orange is a large, "funky space with potential," including two rooms in the back that are perfect for classes and parties.

On another note, Berkeley said that she was looking for a more community-type environment to operate it. "That vision hasn't materialized on Springfield Avenue," she opined. Berkeley felt that momentum on the Avenue had stalled and was not at the "same level as four or five years ago." 

Berkeley did give kudos to The Gym, Shakti, Stories in Motion and Fringe, but she said, "When I get inspired, I just go." Even with these businesses nearby, Berkeley said it has been hard watching the turnover of businesses on either side of her store in the former Wooden You Know and Furbish locations.

In South Orange, Berkeley is looking to move to a retail environment that matches Springfield Avenue's diversity but also provides more marketing and special events, she said.

"I have a very, very successful business. The biggest piece is destination clients." What South Orange Village can give her, said Berkeley, is more walk-in business, as well as better access to the Seton Hall University market. 

Meanwhile, back in Maplewood, Mayor DeLuca kept the tone forward-looking: "We will work to attract a similar high-quality tenant for this and other vacancies on Springfield Avenue."