Community Corner
š± Patch AM: What will replace the old Americana Diner site on Main Street?
And on the West Orange Patch calendar - Montclair Spurs Supporters Club Premier League Opening Party

Greetings West Orange! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What will replace the old Americana Diner site on Main Street?
- How will Turtle Back Zoo's new $7.9M barn change your visit?
Also on today's calendar: Montclair Spurs Supporters Club Premier League Opening Party and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Periods of rain and a t-storm, with a high of 77 and low of 63 degrees.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 83, low: 65.
- Saturday: Showers around; not as warm, with a high of 76 and low of 67 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• New Supermarket In West Orange Gets OK From Planning Board (patch.com) — A new two-story Leon Marketplace supermarket has been approved for 262-270 Main Street, replacing the former Walgreens and Americana Diner site in West Orange. The project includes nearly 20,000 square feet of space, on- and off-street parking, rain gardens, EV spaces, and future rooftop solar panels, with access from both Main Street and Erwin Place.
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• Essex County Zoo Begins $7.9M Barn Project To House Endangered Bongos (wdhafm.com) — The Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange has begun a $7.9 million project to build a new hoofstock barn for endangered bongos and zebras, expanding its African Adventure exhibit. Funded by state and county grants, the barn should open by spring 2027, supporting global conservation efforts while giving local visitors a more diverse, mixed-species savanna experience.
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📸 Around West Orange
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in West Orange
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Montclair Spurs Supporters Club Premier League Opening Party →
Montclair Brewery, 101 Walnut St, Montclair
12:00 pm - Franciscan Charities 5K Run & Walk Fundraiser →
South Mountain Reservation, Cherry Ln, West Orange
9:00 am
Saturday August 22
Saturday September 12
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Friends Trivia →
McLoone's Boathouse, 9 Cherry Ln, West Orange
6:30 pm - West Orange Arts Council →
Township of West Orange -
7:00 pm - Virtual - Zoning Board of Adjustment Regular Meeting →
West Orange, NJ Calendar West Orange, NJ 07052
8:00 pm - Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series presents Campfire Night at the Troubadour →
21 Normandy Heights Rd, Morristown NJ
7:30 pm - Donation Day for Montclair Used Book, Movie & Music Sale! →
26 Park St, Montclair
9:30 am - Unearthing Our Past: Revolutionary Stories →
West Orange Public Library, 10 Rooney Cir, West Orange
2:00 pm - Demo Day's →
Kitchen A La Mode, 59 S Orange Ave, South Orange Village
10:00 am - Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series presents Vet Songs →
21 Normandy Heights Rd, Morristown
7:30 pm - Donation Day for Montclair Used Book, Movie & Music Sale! →
26 Park St, Montclair
9:30 am - Sing with the Oratorio Society of New Jersey →
Union Congregational Church, 176 Cooper Ave, Montclair
7:30 pm
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
Friday August 28
Saturday August 29
Tuesday September 1
📣 West Orange Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making West Orange PatchAM possible:
- West Orange Wellness Dispensary — (862) 420-0420
- Insurcomm Restoration — (866) 708-5357
- Floor Coverings International of Greater Essex, NJ — (973) 261-9640
- Wedderburn Law — (201) 897-0287
- Crane's Mill — (973) 276-6700
- Green Heat NJ.Com - Pest Control — (973) 932-2092
- NJ Roofing Maintenance LLC — (201) 218-3666
- Fairways at Cranford — (908) 913-8138
- Right at Home of Essex County — (973) 669-1822
- 24 HOUR Home Care NJ — (908) 912-6342
- The Pool Boss — (973) 823-7007
- Forward Motion Counseling Services — (862) 801-0974
- PSE&G — (800) 436-7734
- HZY Goods Dispensary — (973) 200-3030
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
🪧 Patch Classifieds
- Hiring Part-time Teacher for Preschool Aftercare Program
Hiring Part-time Teacher for Preschool Aftercare Program... (More info)
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in West Orange. Apply here.
- Target posted a job opening for Guest Advocate (Cashier or Front of Store Attendant/ Cart Attendant) (T2895) in West Orange. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near West Orange here.
🗞 Nearby News
South Orange
- South Orange Marks Women's Equality Day with Voter Registration Outreach (tapinto.net)
- Does Sweating Mean You're Getting a Good Workout? (everydayhealth.com)
- U.S. News & World Report Announces its Annual Ranking of High Schools in the U.S. (tapinto.net)
East Orange
- East Orange Families Prepare for New School Year With Community-Wide Resource Festival (tapinto.net)
Livingston
- Find A Walking Buddy In Livingston: Health Department Will Host Free Club For Residents (patch.com)
Ok West Orange! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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