Business & Tech

Mayfair Farms Closes After 80 Years Of Business In West Orange

After eight decades of making memories in West Orange, a beloved event venue has bid the town goodbye.

Mayfair Farms in West Orange closed its doors on June 30, 2022.
Mayfair Farms in West Orange closed its doors on June 30, 2022. (Google Maps)

WEST ORANGE, NJ — After 80 years of making memories in West Orange, Mayfair Farms has officially closed.

So reads the message on the website of the well-known event and banquet hall at 481 Eagle Rock Avenue in West Orange. It’s a bittersweet eulogy for Mayfair Farms, which closed on June 30 after first opening its doors to the public in 1942.

According to the website:

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“After 80 years of successful business, Mayfair Farms has officially closed. We would like to thank you for sharing life’s most memorable occasions with us. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the many people who have become dear friends and supporters through the years, and to our loyal and loving staff for their dedication. It has been a most rewarding journey.”

The website also offers a bit of history about the beloved local venue:

“The year was 1942. Local businessman Martin L. Horn Sr., (who owned and operated a thriving business nearby) purchased a property adjacent to the famous Eagle Rock area of West Orange. Horn began an extensive renovation that transformed a gracious home and its surrounding property into a private luncheon club, The Mayfair Club. In the years that followed, the club evolved into a highly regarded restaurant and catering facility now known as Mayfair Farms. Today, 80 years later, four generations of the Horn Family have left their imprint on this modern-day icon located near the intersection of what once were two quiet country roads. They continue to offer a firm commitment to the family policy of serving the highest quality foods in a timeless and elegant atmosphere.”

West Orange town officials shared the venue’s farewell post on social media, writing “Thanks for the memories!”

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They weren’t the only ones who have had some good times at Mayfair Farms. As seen online:

  • “Thank you, Joanne and Barbara Belcher for your years of dedicated service to Mayfair Farms and the amazing ability to make everyone's event so special, personal, and flawless. We cannot compliment and thank you enough for your incredible attention to details, wonderful attitudes, and true professionalism over the years. You have had a hand in creating some of the best lifetime memories for so many people. We are grateful and will certainly miss you!”
  • “Omggg we had our wedding reception there 2017. My wedding was perfect, the service, and food was amazing. Thank you for made my wedding so special.”
  • “Thank you for so many wonderfully run events. Everyone was so very accommodating and thoughtful. Joanne and team provided expert guidance for all the Seton Hall Prep fundraisers and celebrations. Treasured memories and an abundance of gratitude. Best wishes for all.”
  • “We just got married there a month ago and it was the best wedding many of our guests ever went to. We had such a wonderful time.”
  • “We had our wedding there 5 years ago and Mayfair did an incredible job. Thank you for an amazing party and making our wedding day so special. You were an Essex County staple for a long time, you will be missed!”
  • “Thank you for over 50 years of hosting our annual Investiture every March. You will be sadly missed amongst the Irish community.”
  • “We have so many wonderful memories at Mayfair as do countless others. Thank you for them and know that you will be missed.”

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