Christina Mastroeni 
When it comes to action-packed days, Essex County is a great place to explore. With all that Essex County has, we’re looking at the bigger picture here by exploring bustling streets in other towns. Springfield Avenue runs through Maplewood, New Jersey, and has a great variety of restaurants, shops, + things to do. Keep reading on for more information about a walk down Springfield Avenue in Maplewood.
1978 Maplewood Arts Center | 1978 Springfield Avenue
1978 Maplewood Arts Center has shared wonderful talents with the Greater Maplewood Community for nearly 20 years. The space has held events like Art Exhibitions + Studio Tours. In addition to showcases, the Arts Center is a space for artists to also work + interact with one another.
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Avenue Pub | 1790 Springfield Avenue
If looking for a spot to eat + experience entertainment, stop by the Avenue Pub for dinner. The restaurant has live music, trivia nights, + sports viewing events. For dinner, start with the Pretzel Bites or Quesadilla with Peppers + Onions. Then, move on to the 12oz. Beef Burger, served with onion rings or fries.
Cielo’s Final Touch | 1628 Springfield Avenue, F1
This spot serves Mexican dishes + has menus available for breakfast as well as a lunch/dinner menu. Classic breakfast items can be found, such as French Toast with bacon + eggs, muffins, + a Breakfast Burrito. If planning to stop by later in the day, check out the Grilled Salmon or Roasted Chicken from its main menu.
Cornbread Maplewood | 1565 Springfield Avenue
Cornbread Maplewood is an establishment that is proud to serve farm-to-table foods with ingredients from local farmers + shops. The menu consists of a variety of baked + fried chicken + fish options, as well as cornbread + desserts. If stopping by for a late breakfast or brunch, try the Chicken + Waffles. At the very least, pop in + grab some cornbread, “made from scratch,” to go.
Finlay + Gage Musical Instruments | 1677 Springfield Avenue, #19
Music lovers must stop by Finlay + Gage. This space has music rentals + restoration options available. Violins + cellos are available for rent. There is also an online shop with acoustic + electric guitars, electric basses, + ukuleles available. Appointments can be made for the purchase or restoration of music items.
General Store Shops + Cafe | 1875 Springfield Avenue
One spot on Springfield Avenue with a great variety is General Store Shops + Cafe. The store houses several independent stores with items like candles, embroidery, greeting cards, bath bombs, olive oils, + totes to name a few. The shop also has a cafe with seating inside. The cafe has coffee + tea items as well as cafe snacks + pastries available. Be sure to check out the website, as there are also events held within the general shop, like Alternative Happy Hours + Journal Together.
Gigi’s Cupcakes | 1925 Springfield Avenue
Gigi’s Cupcakes is located on the corner of Springfield Avenue + Indiana Street. This family-owned owned + operated establishment is run by sisters Gigi + Nicole, who pride themselves on providing freshly baked items every day. Cupcakes are available in mini (about the size of a golf ball) + original (about the size of a baseball) sizes. Flavors to try are Caramel Cheesecake, Banana Nutella, Lemon, + Black Velvet.
HLS Juice Bar + Grill | 1859 Springfield Avenue
This juice bar + grill has a menu for diners and a catering menu available. The menu consists of flatbreads, wraps, salads, smoothies, + quesadillas. There’s also a special kids’ menu. TLG recommends trying the Chili Thai Chicken Salad, with grilled chicken with seasonal greens, carrots, onions, + Thai dressing.
Honey + Hive Artisanal Ice Cream | 1611 Springfield Avenue
Honey + Hive is an ice cream parlor that promises to deliver for its guests. With over 230 flavors and catering to gluten-free, vegan, + allergy-friendly options, a flavor for everyone can be found here. Some signature flavors to try are Honey Vanilla Bean (GF), Toasted S’mores, + Malted Milk Chocolate. Sorbets + vegan options to try are Banana Mint Lime + Vegan Oatmilk Bourbon Banana Chip.
Maplecrest Park | 237 Oakland Road
For those looking to chill out in the day, stop by Maplecrest Park. The hours of the park are 6AM to 7PM most days (extended hours on Thursdays until 8PM) for visitors. Playground, sports fields, + a skate park are available throughout the park.
Maplewood Hobby | 1970 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood Hobby prides itself on being the neighborhood hobby store. This space, open six days a week, is a space for those who like to collect + play tabletop games. Some games available for play or purchase are Warhammer, Magic: The Gathering, + Role Playing Games. There are also weekly events available, such as Role Playing Game Night (groups who need a table to themselves should call ahead), D&D (Dungeons + Dragons) Encounters, + Open Play, for those who would like to plan their visits.
N + K Prime Marketplace | 1899 Springfield Avenue
N + K Prime prides itself on taking the American + Polish heritages from co-owners, Teddy + Ariusz, and bringing them to the butchering + smoking of meats available for guests. Options from the butcher side of the store are beef + veal, chicken, lamb, cold cuts, kielbasa, pork, + game meats. The store also has soups, salads, and a variety of eight different flavors of pierogies available.
Sabor Catracho Restaurant | 1753 Springfield Avenue
Sabor Catracho has options available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast options include Desayuno Centroamericano with Fried Bean (Egg whites, onions, and tomatoes, cream, cheese, + tortilla) + Desayuno Americano Pancake (with ham + egg). Lunch + dinner options include Seafood Soup + Fajitas Mixtas Chicken + Beef (Cooked with onions, peppers, tomatoes, accompanied with rice + salad).
The Sandwicheria Eatery | 1883 Springfield Avenue
This spot has Peruvian street food available to diners. Small bites on the menu include Empanadas, Yucca Fries, + Ceviche. Sandwich + Bowl options include carne asada, pulled pork, chicken, fish patty, + sautéed vegetables. Diners can also grab Choco Bread Pudding, Natas, Flan, or Tres Leches for dessert.
Top Hats + Tails | 1856 Springfield Avenue
Top Hats + Tails is a men’s clothing store located near the three-way intersection of Springfield Avenue + Yale Street. The shop has suits + tuxedos available for shoppers. There are also casual + dress shoes available.
Trimarco Jewelers | 1847 Springfield Avenue
This family-owned jewelry store has been around for nearly 70 years. The store provides services such as cleaning, custom designs, ring sizing, gen replacement, + chain soldering, to name a few. Some of the brands available for purchase at this jewelry store are Citizen, Stuller, + Empire Casting House.
The Urban Cyclery | 1939 Springfield Avenue
This bike shop is open and available to all six days a week (closed on Tuesdays). The mission behind Urban Cyclery is to provide visitors with quality bikes + and parts at affordable prices. The shop has bikes available in categories like mountain, road, cruiser, fitness, + hybrid, to name a few.
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Woulibam Restaurant | 1878 Springfield Avenue
Woulibam Restaurant is located near the intersection of Springfield Avenue + Prospect Street. The establishment serves Caribbean options for its diners. Some dishes to try are Creole Chicken + Shrimp Pasta (sautéed chicken, shrimp, red bell peppers, and onions tossed in Creole sauce), Tasso de Boeuf (deep fried beef served with Caribbean coleslaw, pickles, fried plantains, + okra), + Poisson Gros Sel (whole broiled fish in creole sauce topped with onions, shallot, + bell peppers. Served with rice or broiled plantain).
