Black Friday Remains Slow on Bloomfield Ave

Shoppers and owners look forward to Small Business Saturday.

  As Black Friday shoppers mob the malls, local businesses are seeing one seriously slow day. Shoppers are enthusiastic while business owners remain hopeful that Small Business Saturday will make up for Black Friday. “Everyone is going to the malls which hurts the town a little bit,” said Carl Nozdrovicky, owner of Caldwell Jewelers on Bloomfield Ave. “There aren't as many retail shops as there used to be in Caldwell but now people are more aware of Small Business Saturday.” Some loyal shoppers remained on Bloomfield Avenue Friday morning to get a head start on their holiday shopping. Gabriella Stiefbold of Verona was picking up some items at Learning Express Toys on Bloomfield Ave. By Friday afternoon she had been shopping for nearly 12 …

• Photos (22)

Five Questions With

Anthony's Cheesecake Owners Dish on Thanksgiving

Philip Byrne and Anthony Lauro share dessert tips and give thanks before Turkey Day

It's the most wonderful – and busiest – time of the year at Anthony's Cheesecake in Bloomfield. Co-owners of the beloved Washington Street shop Anthony Lauro and Philip Byrne stepped out of the kitchen Tuesday to talk holiday desserts, what they're thankful for this Turkey Day and more for Patch's "Five Questions With" column. What Thanksgiving dessert is everyone ordering from your store? No surprise here: Lauro and Byrne said pumpkin cheesecake is their biggest seller this time of year, with sweet potato pie and pumpkin pie not far behind. How many orders have you racked up for Thanksgiving? The quaint shop has gotten at least 400 orders so far for Thanksgiving pies and cheesecakes and will be baking through Thursday. "I always find the …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

Bloomfield Eateries Part of 'A Tasteful Experience'

Delicious event raises more than $60,000 for children's medical treatment at Clara Maass

The eighth annual "A Tasteful Experience" showcasing fare from Bloomfield restaurants raised more than $60,000 last Monday for children's medical treatment at Clara Maass Medical Center. Anthony's Cheesecake, Gencarelli's Bakery, Orange Squirrel and Stamna Greek Taverna were among area restaurants to partake in the annual food tasting at Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange. "We were so delighted at the wonderful community support and response to A Tasteful Experience," said Mary Ellen Clyne, president and CEO of Clara Maass Medical Center, in a statement. "Our medical center treats thousands of children and supports their families through that process. These funds are critical in helping them receive the best experience possible through …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (4)

Suburban Essex Chamber of Commerce, Donna Pietroiacovo

2:23 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thank you to Gencarelli's Bakery for your continuous support in our local community over the years. Suburban Essex Chamber of Commerce   more ›

Buy Locally on "Small Business Saturday"-- and All Holiday Season

Supporting local Bloomfield businesses is good for everyone.

You might be the type who finds sleeping on a freezing sidewalk for the best Black Friday deals exciting. Or perhaps you've already started working out your mouse-clicking finger for Cyber Monday. But if neither scenario appeals to you, there is an alternative — Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday, conceived by American Express to help spotlight the efforts of local small businesses, comes at the beginning of the big holiday shopping sprint — this Saturday — and encourages shoppers not to bypass Main Street for the mega-mall. Bloomfield Patch would love to hear which small businesses you can't live without in town. Tell us in the comments which independently owned business is a must for shoppers this Saturday and why. Your …

• Photos (3)

What's in Store Locally on Black Friday

Holiday deals to be had at local shops.

Black Friday is the first offical shopping day of the holiday season. But with hundreds of great shops on and near Bloomfield Avenue and other "Main Streets", the day after Thanksgiving doesn't have to mean a trip to the mall or a big box store. Have a more charming and traditional experience by taking your dollars to local downtowns. Since Christmas truly is a child’s holiday, it’s only right to put toys at the top of this guide to what local shops are offering: Learning Express stores in Montclair, Verona, and the new location in West Caldwell are offering 20% to 50% off select items and free gifts with the purchase of certain toys. The stores also boast a number of toys that are Learning Express exclusives, like the ever-popular All …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (9)