‘Best Downtown’ celebration

Photo by David VanDeventer Maplewood Village will be the sight of a festive customer appreciation day scheduled for Nov. 14.
Photo by David VanDeventer
Maplewood Village will be the sight of a festive customer appreciation day scheduled for Nov. 14.

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Maplewood Village Alliance has announced a special customer appreciation day on Saturday, Nov. 14, in celebration of being voted New Jersey’s favorite downtown. Maplewood was voted the No. 1 downtown in New Jersey in a bracket-style competition run by New Jersey Monthly and sponsored by Kings Supermarket. Up against some big name towns in each round, Maplewood prevailed.

“It’s time to celebrate this great win: Best Downtown in the entire state. It was a fun contest and we bested some pretty impressive downtowns. Thanks for all for your enthusiastic support, voting week after week to victory. We do have the best downtown and now more New Jerseyans know what’s special about Maplewood,” Mayor Vic DeLuca said in a release.

The celebration will include a day of customer-appreciation specials and promotions offered by individual merchants, special festivities in Ricalton Square at 5 p.m. and will end with dinner and drink specials in many village restaurants.
The Ricalton Square festivities will run from 5 to 6 p.m. and include music by DJ Jimmy B, special guests including Mayor Vic DeLuca, free pizza from Roman Gourmet and Village Trattoria, hot chocolate and popcorn courtesy of Keller Williams Midtown Direct, and a few more fun surprises.

“Some folks were surprised by our win but those who know Maplewood were not. Maplewood is a special place. Yes, it is charming, yes our shops and restaurants are wonderful and unique, but mostly it’s the people. This is our way of thanking everyone for their support, during this contest and throughout the year,” Julie Doran, the MVA district manager, said in the release.