Springfield Avenue Sprouting New Businesses

Springfield Avenue in Maplewood is experiencing a lot of activity this spring in terms of new businesses—perhaps a sign that the economy and the fortunes of Maplewood's largest commercial district are truly turning around.

Two years ago, as the global economy was tanking, business began to slow on the Avenue and hard fought gains started to erode. By the end of 2008, Cafe Meow and Wooden You Know, two anchors of the Springfield Avenue and Prospect Street node, had shutttered.

In the intervening years the news has been up and down. A recent blow was the loss of The Beaded Path to South Orange Village. But lately, the news has been more good than bad, and several new businesses are set to open as the Avenue prepares for its premiere event of the year, which takes place on Sunday, May 16.

New businesses coming to, already opened or expanding on Springfield Avenue include:

• East Wok, a new sushi and Chinese food restaurant coming to the former Cafe Meow space. Owner Zhi Yan Lin told us he planned to be open by the end of May. He promised table dining and take-out food.
• Avalia Moore has taken over ownership of Island Spice, changing the name to iLand Breeze and adding Southern American cuisine to the Caribbean fare.
• Susan Conlan plans to open Parteaz in time for MayFest in the brand new space at the corner of Yale Street and Springfield Avenue in the Yale Street Commons condo building (next to Top Hat & Tails). Parteaz offers themed parties on site including a Hollywood party, spa party and tropical party, as well as bridal and baby showers.
• Durand Howard moved Blue Life Karate from Valley Street to enlarged space at 1809 Springfield Avenue on January 4, in the former Top Hat & Tails location (Top Hat & Tails moved to new space in the Yale Street Commons building last fall).
• Dangerous Divas brings new ownership to a hair salon near Boyden on Springfield.

Even existing businesses are sprucing up. Patch stopped in at Kari's Cafe last to chat last week and found that Kari Capone was in the midst of a construction project to add a bakery kitchen at the back of her retail space at Springfield and Prospect. Kari spoke excitedly about partnering with Parteaz owner Susan Conlan. In fact, Parteaz class instructor Katie Clayton was hanging at Kari's waiting for her coffee in order to power her through a painting session at Parteaz' new space. What color will she be painting?

"Pink!" exclaimed Clayton.

Avalia Moore at ILand Breeze is likewise excited about business. Her bright new orange awning announced her commitment to and investment in the space. Moore said she is opened six days a week (closed Sundays) for breakfast, lunch and dinner and that she has a "large-scale catering business." Moore has expanded to the menu to include food of all Caribbean nations but also Southern American cuisine.

"You've got to try her sweet potato cornbread!" said Capone.

All the merchants are excited about being out and open for MayFest which takes place this year on Sunday, May 16. Moore just launched her website, while Parteaz is working to open its doors by MayFest. This year, MayFest is adding a second stage for music, a classic car show and a pie-eating contest to its usual mix of vendors, kids rides, face painting and family activities.

Conlan formerly rented space from Kaleidescope in South Orange for Parteaz. Now she is excited about having a place to call her own.

"The light is so bright and the space is new—it's needs no renovation. Across the street, you've got HLS Juice Bar, Shakti, Stories in Motion."

"It's a great location!"