Strawberry Fields Forever — Just Not Quite Yet

This update first appeared in June as part of a including Lickt Gelato at Kari's Cafe, Able Baker's efforts to open and Iland Breeze's hot weather menu. Here's an encore presentation for enquiring minds that want to know:

Strawberry Fields — This health conscious, hip, self-serve frozen yogurt place will offer a little something for everyone at 147 Maplewood Ave: “We’ll have frozen yogurt with healthy fresh toppings,” says owner Rob Mercadante (who, btw, grew up in South Orange and attended along with his business partner Gary Harris). “We’ll also have 24 dry toppings for traditional cravings and organic drinks to wash it all down.”

As the name would suggest, you can bank on hearing The Beatles in fairly heavy sound-system rotation. “Not too much, though, we’ll also play lots of modern stuff to keep the younger set happy,” promised Mercadante. (The combination of bench seating, tables and counter stools should also prove both a teen-attracter and a crowd-pleaser…Boy, does our town need THAT!)

Yup, sounds like Strawberry Fields is going to be so way cool ... even without the frozen stuff!

And as for an opening date? “We were hoping for July 4, but realistically we’re looking at beginning of August,” says Rob, who also adds that you can expect to see modern, streamlined design and an always impeccably clean presentation. (You can expect to see me — and much of Maplewood — there, too…a ton. I'll bet you a frozen yogurt on it!)