Say Goodbye To The Manor: Iconic West Orange Wedding Venue Is Closing

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Another iconic wedding hotspot in West Orange is closing its doors.

Recently, the owners of The Manor at 111 Prospect Avenue announced that the venue – which has become well-known for hosting weddings and receptions, among other events – will be closing its doors in July.

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

“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

The message from the Knowles family reads:

“After an immensity of difficult deliberation, it saddens us greatly to announce that this era of The Manor’s operation will be coming to an end. The Manor will be closing its doors after July 5, 2023, ceasing all public and private events.

“We have already performed the painful work of informing those most directly affected by this circumstance, including the couples, families, and clients who have planned future events with us, as well as our entire beloved Manor team.

“We are currently working with our clients to ensure that those with events scheduled to take place prior to July 5, 2023 can and will be accommodated with the same level of service and quality that guests have come to expect of us.

“We are agonizingly aware that there is no ‘good’ time for this to happen and are doing our sincere best to responsibly and respectfully resolve each and every pending event thoughtfully. We wish to thank our clients for their graciousness in understanding, as difficult as it may be, and our team for gifting us with humbling loyalty and continued dedication as they push forward, aiding with the challenging work of our closure.

“We have not come to this conclusion lightly, but are resolved that it is the right and necessary decision. Often choices seem clear and easy from a distance, but when facing undeniable details, hard choices must be made. It is not for lack of want or effort.

“As those who know us are certain, our hearts have always been (and always will be) with The Manor. It was the very first of our family’s properties, grown year over year to something incredibly special to us. It has been an immeasurable part of our life’s work for over 66 years. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve labored side-by-side through it all.

“We’ve all grown up in this community and have actively chosen to live nearly the entirety of our lives in this wonderful town…and we will continue to do so. 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. Creating special moments for people is what we love most, and we can’t imagine doing anything else.

“The future of The Manor has not yet been determined, though, as a building, The Manor has had a full life even before our ownership and we expect that new opportunities will arise in whatever format that may take.

“We can’t say farewell without acknowledging the immeasurable contributions of our incredibly committed staff. Past and present alike, they’ve stood with us through so much. We’ve been so lucky to be supported by so many caring individuals who truly put their hearts and souls into their jobs—seeing it as much more than a job–feeling deeply a part of The Manor themselves. They’ve cared for our guests like family and worked together tirelessly to serve others gracefully. We’ve always taken great pride in knowing that those who’ve moved on still remember their experiences with us well; and those who’ve stayed with us put in careers lasting many decades. Many have grown up alongside us; many we truly feel as though they are family. We’ve watched their families grow. We’ve shared countless happy moments with them. And we’ve witnessed all the good that they’ve done for us and others. We’ve always said that a place is its people, and we truly believe that it was our people who made The Manor so special.

“But above all, we owe unending gratitude to all those of you who chose to come to The Manor, whether to celebrate the most important milestone moments of your life or simply for an enjoyable evening out. The scale of those whose lives we’ve touched is truly beyond our fathoming – and we have never ceased to be humbled by it. Through the pandemic, through the discontinuation of our buffet, our à la carte dining, and Le Dome, it’s been even more present in our minds – and we’ve heard each and every one of you – how special The Manor was for you, how much you rooted for us, how much you’d like to visit us again. And we are grateful. Each and every one of you have played a part in having made The Manor a unique place filled with cheerful voices and memories beyond measure. We thank you dearly.

“If you’ve ever had a meaningful memory at The Manor, we encourage you to share with us your experiences, pictures and stories—though we are unhappy that this era is coming to its end, we are reminded of how amazingly fortunate that we have been to have had such odds-defying success and longevity filled with a building resounding in abundant joy. We’re sad that this phase is ending, but grateful to have been a part of it. Thank you for letting us serve you. It meant the world to us.”

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