Iconic West Orange Wedding Spot Closes Doors: That's It For The Manor

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A popular wedding hotspot in West Orange is now closed.

The Manor at 111 Prospect Avenue shut its doors on Wednesday, bidding farewell to a community that has invested many memories at the bucolic venue. See Related: Iconic West Orange Wedding Venue Is Closing

The owners previously said they were “saddened” by the decision, but it was necessary. The closure was prompted by several setbacks, including inflation, the pandemic and a decrease in weddings, News 12 New Jersey reported.

“We’ve proudly raised our children here and will look forward to continuing to contribute to bringing business to this community through our other operations,” the Knowles family said. “Creating special moments for people is what we love most, and we can’t imagine doing anything else.”

The family said the future of the property hadn’t been determined, but the building has seen “a full life” even before they took over decades ago.

“We expect that new opportunities will arise in whatever format that may take,” they wrote earlier this year.

West Orange Mayor Susan McCartney said the local landmark will be missed after the news broke.

“The Manor and the other quality establishments owned and operated by the Knowles family have been an integral part of the township for over one-half century,” McCartney wrote. “On behalf of the entire township, we thank the Knowles family for their tremendous commitment to the township and entire region.”

“We are pleased that the Manor is taking steps to ensure a smooth transition so all patrons are accommodated to the greatest extent possible with the least inconvenience and in a township where invention lives, we look forward to seeing The Manor re-invented,” McCartney said.

In the past decades, West Orange has acquired a reputation as a wedding destination in North Jersey. The lineup has included The Manor, Highlawn Pavilion and Pleasantdale Chateau (all owned by the Knowles family), as well as the Wilshire Grand, Mayfair Farms and the Atrium Country Club. Read More: Couples Migrate To West Orange To Tie The Knot

The Manor is the third of these event venues to call it quits in recent years. The Atrium Country Club on Eagle Rock Avenue abruptly closed in 2017. Mayfair Farms, also on Eagle Rock Avenue, announced it was closing in 2022 after 80 years of making memories in the township. Read More: Mayfair Farms Closes After 80 Years Of Business In West Orange

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