23-types of fun for kids & teens

IN DOWNTOWN WESTFIELD

Warm weather is here and that means kids & their parents are on the lookout for summer camps, classes and good ole' entertainment. Check out the list of ways to spice up your summer in downtown Westfield.

1. You’ll be ready for the ‘Gram in the most Insta-happy downtown.

   Discover the favorite destination for photographers and influencers — the rainbow crosswalk, pastel buildings, the historic Ironbound building. Achieve the best-ever selfies ever at Selfie Station NJ, where you can sign up for summer camps each week. Snap the twinkle lights of Quimby, painted butterflies in town — on the corner of Quimby & Elm, Elm and North, at Evalyn Dunn, Alania Aesthetics, and throughout Mindowaskin Park. Discover the painted piano on Quimby and the Roig Westfield murals under the train trestle. 

2. Life is sweet in downtown. Find your favorites on this Sweet Treat Trail.

   Family-owned Bovella’s Pastry Shoppe has been a staple of the community for over 60 years offering a variety of European-style pastries that can be paired with a coffee or an espresso for mom & dad.  //  Try something new at NY Korean BBQ. They have over 15 flavors of bubble tea with chewy tapioca pearls that you suck up through a big straw.  //   If chocolate or ice cream are your thing, you’re in luck. Check out Kilwins for their fudge, truffles and ice cream in freshly-made waffle cones. The Chocolate Bar is favorite local stop with their chocolate-covered strawberries, distinctive chocolates and homemade gelato. If you like your ice cream to be extreme the Westfield Creamery should be on your radar. Try the Extreme Milkshake or the colorful Llamalicious and Superman flavors in a chocolate M&M waffle cone. Design your signature creation with the ice cream made daily at Cold Stone Creamery. Looking for a lighter version of dessert? Don’t miss FroYo — serving up traditional ice cream as well as frozen yogurt and vegan Dole Whip. Kings Bowl Café is the perfect stop for ice cream, smoothies and acai bowls.  //  Go crazy at all-vegan Cinnaholic with oh-so-yummy Cinnabun concoctions, such as frosty Dole Whip, edible cookie dough and build your own Cinnastack.   //    Also vegan, Ono Bowls has healthy, yummy acai bowls and vegan baked goods.  //  For an eye-popping dessert case don’t miss Rock ‘n Joe coffee lounge where you can pair a decadent dessert with a frozen hot chocolate.  //  Boxwood Coffee is throwing down the gauntlet with homemade chocolate chip cookies that are chewy and deelish.  //  Discover Cadbury Flake and other candy and chips they’ve never seen — imported from Ireland to Bridget’s Irish Cottage.  //   Finally, let them shop the old fashioned candy isle in Baron’s Drug Store, a definite right of passage.

3. Treat your little to a real tea party — dolls are invited. 

   Enjoy fresh from the oven scones, cupcakes and baked delicacies at Mulberry House Restaurant.

4. Make magic happen at this reasonably-priced glam spa for kids.

   Glamourous Girlz is a salon for hair, nails, and kid-friendly makeup for special events. Plan a haircut, private spa party or mom & me mani and pedi.   

5. Shop farm fresh produce and meet local farmers.   

   Saturday mornings all summer, 8:30 AM to 1 PM at Westfield’s Farmer’s Market at the North Avenue Train Station.

6. Belt it out in three karaoke rooms,

   while enjoying legendary double-fried wings at RoosterSpin.

7. Play old school video games, skee ball & air hockey at Yestercades.

8. Have a pizza experience.

   Toss the dough with a pro, or take a pizza kit to go at Outta Hand Pizza.

9. Yoga for everyone

   Saturdays & Sundays on Quimby Street. Join Satsang Yoga Studio & Brassy Buddha Yoga.

10. Find the hottest TikTok toys at

    Learning Express Westfield — the go-to stop for wrapped birthday gifts.

11. Get a behind the scenes tour

    of the shoe store at Best Foot Forward Westfield. 

12. Take a walk with a purpose.

    Take a historic walking tour and find the site of the location of Westfield's first general store from the colonial era, the goddess Clio, and the building that housed Westfield's first library. Learn about local African American history, dating from 1720.   Discover public art as you stroll through downtown. You’ll find painted butterflies in town — on the corner of Quimby& Elm, Elm and North, at Evalyn Dunn, Alania Aesthetics, and throughout Mindowaskin Park. Discover the painted piano on Quimby and the Roig Westfield murals under the train trestle. Coming this summer, look for the Photography Art Exhibit throughout downtown.

13. Visit a vibrant independent book store.  

    The Town Book Store is brimming with good recommendations and a sweet section for kids with toys and all the best books for every age.

14. Are you more a chicken tenders or chocolate chip pancakes?  

    Get them both when you visit this shiny old school diner at Vicki’s Diner where everyone sits in a booth.

15. Come downtown to jam to free live music

    2 to 3 nights a week all summer, Friday & Saturdays 6:30 to 8: 30 PM. Check the schedule here. In July, Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Series every Tuesday from 7 to 9 PM in various locations. 

16. Lovely Mindowaskin Park

    has a meandering path, a duck pond, a lighted gazebo and a newly renovated playground.

17. Shopping. 

    Teens and kids will find items that are right up their alley while shopping at Ruby & Jenna, Urban Outfitters, Beyond Trends, The French Martini, Mimi + Hill Shop, South Moon Under, Gap & Gap Kids, Banana Republic, Athleta, Jack Rabbit, Universal Lacrosse, Pegasus Sporting Goods, Claire’s, Sole, and Best Foot Forward Westfield.

 

Reserve a one-time session, class & camp at these fun locations...

18. Get crafty 

    Drop in to AR Workshop, a crafty DIY studio that offers hands on classes, parties and camps.

19. Makeup Camp

    Join Camp Blende.  Does your child love makeup? Do they want to be a makeup artist? Learn the age appropriate — vs scary and overdone — looks for days and parties — and a history of makeup styles through the decades. They’ll be in good company with celebrity makeup artist Keira Karlin, owner of Blende, and fellow campers, ages 10 and up.

20. Music

    Whether they are more Broadway or more rock, Valencia School of Music will have them singing, playing and performing in a variety of summer camp programs. NJ Workshop for the Arts offers Summer Arts Workshop with music, art, dance and more starting at age 4 and up. They also provides a free a music therapy program Music Connection for kids with special needs.

21. Dance

    Get them dancing at Summer Dance Camp at Westfield School of Dance with a variety of classes to choose from including classes just for boys, preschool and special needs programs.

22. Get them ready for the spotlight

    Acting Out School’s Summer Camp Series, for age 4 and up. Learn acting, TV, Film and everything they’ll need to prep for auditions.

23. Kids and adults can’t help but smile at TikTok & Instagram heaven: Selfie Station NJ

    Get snap happy in the creative photo booths. New this summer: Camp Funshine at Selfie Station NJ. Choose from a variety of weekly camps in a clean, interactive and creative space. Camp counselors are local high school theater students with a passion for performing arts. Campers will enjoy daily crafts, dancing, interactive story time, snacks, and photo shoots to create their camp scrapbook.

 

Open Quimby, downtown Westfield's enhanced pedestrian plaza is back with expanded outdoor dining, entertainment, and wellness programming. 

 

Open Quimby, Downtown Westfield’s popular pedestrian plaza, is back for another season, featuring enhanced aesthetics, expanded outdoor dining, and entertainment for all ages. 

 

REGISTRATION LINKS FOR ACTIVITIES BELOW 

 

Open Quimby was created in 2020 as the result of the restrictions placed on retail and restaurant establishments arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. “The DWC believed that it was critically important last year to provide outdoor space in our downtown to allow residents and visitors to dine outside and safely congregate in small groups,” said Zuckerman. “While some of those restrictions have been eased, the pedestrian plaza concept proved so popular that the DWC voted to bring the plaza back again this year.”

This year’s version of Open Quimby will be significantly enhanced from last year, with the advent of beautiful new tents for outdoor dining and activities, state-of-the-art bistro lighting that will illuminate the plaza, and aesthetic features such as a newly installed sign pole displaying the distance between Quimby Street and local and international destinations.

“I am thrilled that Open Quimby is returning for another great season,” said Mayor Shelley Brindle. “Throughout the pandemic, our local businesses have shown such resiliency and dedication, and Open Quimby is a great community asset to assist in supporting them. I’m looking forward to welcoming residents and visitors to experience the fantastic dining and retail offerings of Downtown Westfield in this enhanced outdoor gathering space.”

In addition to expanded outdoor dining space, Open Quimby will feature a variety of entertainment and programming:

 

Alfresco dining under the tents

Enjoy your meal outdoor with expanded dining under the tents. There are dedicated tents for "take out" where you can sit outdoors with your meal from any of downtown Westfield's restaurants. Find the full list of dining establishments here.

Restaurant's on or adjacent to Quimby have covered dining under the Quimby tents. Reservations are recommended. 

The Brick Oven 908.317.9500

Fiamma Wood Fired Pizza 908.654.0400

Spice Bazaar - Modern Indian Dining  908.389.1888

 

Live music

Will be performed on Friday and Saturday nights, weather permitting. 

May 14	Jake Brown and Billy Wilkins
May 15	Clear Stream
May 21	Al Madison
May 22	Alex Oliveira and Alexandra Cruz
May 28	Kai Chiang
May 29	Joe Taino
June 4	Daniel Rufolo
June 5	Ryan Anselmi
June 11	Mike Doyle
June 12	Fuey
June 18	Charlie Apicella & Iron City
June 19	Blue Sphere
June 25	The Cucumbers
June 26	Blue Americana- Glenn Alexander and Oria
July 2	Nick Masters

 

 

The ever-popular Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival returns on Tuesday nights from 7:00 – 9:00PM in July and August, located in three socially-distanced locations — Quimby Street., Central Avenue, and Foundation Park on South Avenue West.

 

Yoga & Fitness Classes REGISTER BELOW

Register online and bring a mat, mask, and water.

SATURDAYS

9:00 AM Barre3 register at https://linktr.ee/barre3westfield

10:00 AM Brassy Buddha Yoga register at brandilook@gmail.com 

SUNDAYS

8:30 AM Brassy Buddha Yoga register at brandilook@gmail.com

10:00 AM Satsang Yoga register at www.satsangyogastudio.com

 

Westfield Wellness Week (May 14 to 21)

Discover healthy choices from Downtown Westfield restaurants and promotions from health and wellness businesses. Learn more here. 

 

Traffic & parking

Effective April 30, Quimby Street will become a one-way street, with cars moving in the direction from Central Avenue to Elm Street. One-way traffic will flow on this side of Quimby 7 days a week. The eight non-angled parking spots on the north side of the street will be open seven days a week specifically for 15-minute curbside pickup and delivery vehicles only, which will be strictly enforced by the Westfield Police Department.

 

More info

Check back here as Open Quimby’s programming as the season unfolds. You may also email info@westfieldtoday.com with any questions.

Healthy food, bodies & minds, May 14 - 21

Join the team at Limani Seafood Grill as they lead the restaurants in downtown Westfield in highlighting healthy, delicious menu items. This special week-long event was the idea of Vasilia Vastardis, owner of Limani Seafood Grill and Beth Hornstein of Citara Events. 

Feel your best with healthy menus, special offers, & deals from downtown Westfield wellness practitioners available the week of May 14 through 21. 

Discover healthy food and special deals available with the code WESTFIELD WELLNESS WEEK by clicking here. 

 

CLICK FOR DETAILS 

The popular Midday Madness Clue Hunt returned to downtown Westfield on Saturday, May 1, from 1 PM to 4 PM.

🔍WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT‼️
Thanks to all who played Midday Madness Clue Hunt in downtown Westfield today — it was a blast!

🥇The winning teams with a perfect score are:

🔍Team Ninja Panda

🔍Team Black Dogs

🔍Team Burger

🔍Team The Bear Hunters

🥈 The winning teams with an almost perfect score (only one wrong) are:

🔍Team Blue Devils

🔍Team Cookie

⭐ Winners will be contacted by email on Monday to make arrangements to pick up their prizes. Congratulations‼️

#MiddayMadnessWestfield

Thanks to our game masters @MidnightMadnessEvents

 

Families and Covid-safe pods will be their own teams. Come up with your team name and show your spirit with a unifying team color or theme. The crazier, the better!

Arrive just before 1 PM at 100 Quimby Street under the tents to begin this fun-filled Clue Hunt throughout downtown Westfield. You will receive a link list of clues. Once you've solved each clue your team must find the location and take a selfie before moving onto the next one. Repeat until the game is complete.

The finish will also be at 100 Quimby Street under the tent.  Teams with the best score will be announced on social media and entered into a random drawing for prizes.

The cost to participate is $11 for adults and $7 for kids 12 and under. Register online only prior to the event only. There will be no onsite registration. 

Sat, May 1, 2021

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT

These business owners and entrepreneurs represent just a handful of the women leading the way in downtown Westfield — and throughout the community. 

In honor of Women's History Month, we want to highlight the women making a difference and writing the history of our Westfield community. Their impact makes ripples — and sometimes waves — that are far-reaching. We've been awed in the last year at your strength and ability to flex to meet challenge after challenge with savvy, collaboration, creativity, and grit. 

Downtown Westfield has a growing base of women business owners, entrepreneurs and service providers who are not pictured, but who inspire us daily. 

Meet some of the women movers and shakers of downtown Westfield.

LEFT TO RIGHT

FroYo, Owners Mollie Gibbons, Lauren Federgreen, and Megan Conners

Erin Carroll, Owner of 908 Athletics in Westfield

Patricia Brading, Owner Facial Reality Spa & Salon

Tricia Caminos, Owner of Ono Bowls

Patricia Hanigan, Owner Patricia & Paul Artisans of Fine Oils and Balsamics

Nisha Nanthakumar, Owner Rock N’ Joe

Jaclyn Civins, Owner Evalyn Dunn Gallery

Katherine Pace, PT, DPT Owner Haven Pelvic Physical Therapy

Christine Cosenza, Owner State Farm Insurance - Christine Cosenza Agency

 

 LEFT TO RIGHT

Maria DeSantis, Owner A Face Forever Permanent Cosmetic Specialist

Lynne Fitzpatrick, Owner, Guillotine Salon + Spa

Kanika Vij Bakshi, Owner Spice Bazaar - Modern Indian Dining 

Rosann LiVolsi, Co-President Westfield Service League Consignment & Thrift

Beth Kronke, WSL Vice President, Westfield Service League Consignment & Thrift

WSL Treasurer Tracie Milford, Westfield Service League Consignment & Thrift

The team at Ruby and Jenna

Anna Mastroianni, Owner SOLE Shoes

Linda Heroux, Co-President Westfield Service League Consignment & Thrift

 

 LEFT TO RIGHT

The stylists of Salon Peak, Marcella Nicole Parisi, Francesca Rego, Karen Soriano,  Heather Baumgartner

The women of Ellie Mroz Design Ellie Mroz, Kerry Clifford, Lisa Tsavekou, Bridget O'Dwyer, Lisa Spirn 


Erin Bellamy, Owner of Boxwood Coffee Roasters

Hillary Kaplan and Miriam Silver Verga, Owners Mimi & Hill Design Studio + Shop

Joyce K. Wegbreit, Gretchan R. Ohlig, Barbara Doyle Frantz Phelan, Frantz, Ohlig & Wegbreit, LLC, Partners Phelan, Frantz, Ohlig & Wegbreit, LLC

Joanne Carey, Owner and Artistic Director of Westfield School of Dance

Anne Laird, Owner of the Town Book Store

Keira Karlin, Owner Blende Beauty

 

 LEFT TO RIGHT

Zakia Sheila Flagg, Owner of Brow Bar Permanent Makeup

Brandi Hoynowski, Owner of Brassy Budda 2

Kelly Bennett, Co-owner and Teacher at Valencia Music School

Lillien Pien Co-owner of Akai Lounge

Annette Colbertaldo, Co-owner of Farinolio

Regina Smith, Owner of R Studio Beauty

Carla Friday, Owner of Details Made Simple & The Simple Shoppe Candle Company 

Joanna Rapuzzi, Owner of AR Workshop Westfield

Oksana and Paloma, Co-owners of American Dream Tattoo

 

 LEFT TO RIGHT

Regina Ruparel, Recording Secretary of the Westfield Service League Consignment & Thrift

Laura Byron, Corresponding Secretary of the Westfield Service League Consignment & Thrift

Karen Phillips, Owner of Via Nutrition

Claudia Cruz, Owner and the team at Elegant Image Salon

Joanne Turner, Michelle May and Marty McDevitt, Co-owners of Elements Design Studio

Christina Teevan, Owner of The Oils Room

Julie Shanebrook, Owner of Chill Cryotherapy

Gina Vilca, Owner of Everlasting Haven Spa & Wellness Studio

Lika Alania, Owner Alania Aesthetics

 

 

The Impulse seesaws are part of the Glo Downtown experience throughout March 21, offering a wide variety of specials from Downtown Westfield.

DATES  Impulse — the Westfield seesaws are open everyday 9 AM to 9 PM, Friday, March 5 to Sunday, March 21, 2021. Free to the public in 10-minute increments. No registration is required. Wear masks and observe social distancing.

LOCATION North Avenue Train Station, Lot 2, Westfield NJ 

PARKING  South Avenue Train Station, Westfield NJ and walk under the underpass or park in the municipal lots throughout town. 

 

 

 

 

 

MUSIC at the Seesaws 

• March 17 St. Patrick's Day bagpipes 4:30 - 6:30 PM

• Acoustic music on March 20 5 - 7 PM 

 

Exciting Glo Downtown Shopping Deals

FRIDAY MARCH 5 TO SUNDAY MARCH 21, 2021  

 

CLICK HERE Chocolate Tour Weekends

FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS MARCH 5 TO 21, 2021 

 

         

Pie Dough Throw Competition

Outta Hand Pizza will be hosting a Pie Dough Throw Competition on Pi Day, Sunday, March 14 at 3:14 PM.  

For a $7 fee, entrants will receive pizza dough and will take part in a pie dough throwing competition in front of Outta Hand Pizza. They will be judged on height, style, and swag by professional pie dough throwers — Burim Regjaj and the team from Outta Hand Pizza. The winner will be awarded a Pie Dough Throw trophy, a fresh, hot pizza pie, and bragging rights as the Pie Dough Throw Winner. Each entrant will receive one pizza pie dough for throwing and a slice of pizza.

Reserve your spot in the competition by contacting Outta Hand Pizza at (908) 233-9300 or by email at outtahandpizza@gmail.com.

           

                                                                                            

CLICK HERE  Yoga-inspired Mini-Classes Among the Seesaws

SUNDAYS, MARCH 7 & 21 11:30 AM & FRIDAY, MARCH 12 6:30 PM

 

CLICK HERE Professional Photo Sessions & Framing Packages

VARIOUS DATES FRIDAY MARCH 5 TO SUNDAY MARCH 21, 2021   

 

CLICK HERE Cocktail & Dining Specials in Select Restaurants 

FRIDAY MARCH 5 TO SUNDAY MARCH 21, 2021  

 

 

CLICK HERE Glo Downtown Initiative & the Impulse Seesaws

FRIDAY MARCH 5 TO SUNDAY MARCH 21, 2021  

 

 

Pie in the Sky Pizza Challenge has been cancelled.

Check out the Pie Dough Throw Competition

Outta Hand Pizza will be hosting a Pie Dough Throw Competition on Pi Day, Sunday, March 14 at 3:14 PM.  

For a $7 fee, entrants will receive pizza dough and will take part in a pie dough throwing competition in front of Outta Hand Pizza. They will be judged on height, style, and swag by professional pie dough throwers — Burim Regjaj and the team from Outta Hand Pizza. The winner will be awarded a Pie Dough Throw trophy, a fresh, hot pizza pie, and bragging rights as the Pie Dough Throw Winner. Each entrant will receive one pizza pie dough for throwing and a slice of pizza.

Reserve your spot in the competition by contacting Outta Hand Pizza at (908) 233-9300 or by email at outtahandpizza@gmail.com.

Glo Downtown — Featuring Impulse — The Westfield Seesaws

Downtown Westfield will be glowing this March with a ‘Glo Downtown’ initiative poised to shed some light and joy in this dark winter.

Look for colorful shop windows and glow-themed specials around town. The highlight of the season is Impulse, an international art installation of fifteen giant, illuminated, sound-producing seesaws that up to four people can ride at one time. The Impulse seesaws are coming to the North Avenue Westfield Train Station from Friday, March 5 through Sunday, March 21, and will be open for public use from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, following a 5:30 PM opening ceremony on March 4. 

"...the movement of the seesaws generate animated light and sound waves. But it’s the sounds of laughter that I’m looking forward to the most.”  — Erin Ben-Hayon 

Initially launched in Montréal, and created but Lateral Office and CS Design, the dynamic public art installation has visited Australia, London, Boston, and New York City — among other major stops — and will be arriving in Westfield during a particularly slow time for retailers and restaurants.

Downtown Westfield is betting that people who come to ride the seesaws will stay for Glo Downtown self-directed Chocolate Tour Weekends, Pie in the Sky Pizza Challenge, dining specials & hot shopping deals – available only while the Impulse seesaw installation is open.

"While they’re in town riding the seesaws, we want people to play, shop, and dine and have a blast by supporting our local businesses.”  — Bob Zuckerman

“The ultimate goal of the Impulse seesaw installation is to draw people into town during a traditionally slow time of year while providing families from around the region a fun winter activity,” said Bob Zuckerman, Executive Director of Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC). “While residents and visitors are in Town riding the seesaws, we want them to play, shop, and dine and enjoy the amazing offerings of our local businesses.” According to Creos, the tour producer, cities that have hosted Impulse have reported business increases in the millions to their local economies. “We are a smaller market, but we are confident that this joyful installation will provide a shot in the arm to downtown Westfield’s economy, too,” explains Zuckerman. 

The Impulse seesaws are part of the Glo Downtown experience throughout March 21, offering a wide variety of seasonal specials from Downtown Westfield’s businesses. These specials will include: 

• Professional photo sessions on the seesaws with framing packages;
• The Chocolate Tour each of the three weekends;
• A Pie in the Sky Pizza Challenge on March 13 and 14; and 
• Exciting Glo Downtown retail deals, in addition to Glo Downtown dining specials and cocktails in select restaurants.

Details on each of these specials, with others to be announced, will be accessible through WestfieldToday.com and on Downtown Westfield social media. 

“We know that this antidote for seasonal blues will enable everyone to have a good time and our businesses to generate much-needed revenue,” said Councilwoman Dawn Mackey.  

The idea to bring a large-scale lighted art installation to Westfield was the brainchild of Erin Ben-Hayon, Chairperson of Downtown Westfield’s Promotion Committee and local realtor with David Realty Group. Councilwoman Mackey immediately saw the merit and — working with Bob Zuckerman and the team at the Downtown Westfield Corporation, as well as the Westfield Public Art Commission — they set out to bring the project to fruition. 

“The seesaws bring a carefree feeling of playfulness in what has been a heavy year,” said Ben-Hayon. “During these short winter days, the Westfield Train Station will be transformed into an outdoor playground of LED lights and sounds. But it’s the sounds of laughter that I’m looking forward to the most.”  

The seesaws are made of polycarbonate, not the icy metal of your childhood teeter-totter, and are set on thick foam mats. Adults and kids of all ages are invited to play for free in 10-minute increments and to enjoy shopping, dining, and downtown Westfield activities. Visitors are reminded to wear masks and maintain social distancing when visiting the seesaws, and sanitizing wipes will be provided. 

The costs of the Impulse seesaws are fully funded by grants and sponsorships, namely by Main Street New Jersey, Columbia Bank (www.ColumbiaBankOnline.com), and Wonder* (www.wonder.com), a brand new home dining experience in Westfield where dishes from the country’s best restaurants are prepared right outside your home. Harmony Design Group, Landscape Architecture & Construction (www.hdglandscape.com), has been a valued partner sponsoring the setup of the Glo Downtown installation. 

Impulse is owned and managed by Quartier des Spectacles Partnership. 

Creation and execution: Lateral Office and CS Design; Structural design: EGP Group; Sound design: Mitchell Akiyama; Mechanical design and fabrication: Generique Design; Electronic design and fabrication: Robocut; Production: Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, Montreal, Canada. Photo credits: Impulse, a creation by Lateral Office and CS Design,

Quartier des Spectacles, Montréal. (Photo: Ulysse Lemerise / OSA ) Note: Photos were taken pre-pandemic.

 

 

*For more information about Wonder, a sponsor of Glo Downtown, scan this QR code with your phone camera. 

Photo credits: Impulse, a creation by Lateral Office and CS Design,

Quartier des Spectacles, Montréal. (Photo: Ulysse

Lemerise / OSA ) Note: photos taken pre-pandemic.

 The Impulse seesaw art exhibition has traveled the world. From their inception in Montreal, to London, Brisbane, Australia, and throughout major cities in the US, like Scottsdale, Detroit and Boston MA. See the Harvard experience with the Impulse seesaws in this video.  

 

 

The Downtown Westfield Corporation is teaming up with the Westfield Parent Teacher Council (PTC) to encourage parents who wish to purchase teacher appreciation gifts to do so by supporting independent Westfield businesses—through a new online gift card program offered by Beyond Main Downtown Westfield.

 The gift card can be accessed here: https://beyondmain.com/gift-cards/

The Beyond Main Downtown Westfield Gift Card can be used among a robust selection of Westfield merchants and restaurants on the site—with more joining everyday—and delivered to the recipient immediately via email. 

"The PTC would like to encourage class parents to explore gift options available on Beyond Main Downtown Westfield for their teacher gift-giving this year," says Donna Kenney, President of the Westfield PTC. "It's an easy way to support our town's local businesses while showing appreciation of the herculean effort teachers have put forth this year. Words can not express our gratitude for the creativity and effort our teachers have put into teaching in the new COVID world." The Westfield Parent Teacher Council (PTC) is comprised of the PTO & PTSO presidents from all ten of Westfield’s public schools. 

 

Merchants on Beyond Main Downtown Westfield also have a curated list of gifts that can be wrapped and picked up curbside. 

 

The Beyond Main Downtown Westfield site can be accessed here: https://beyondmain.com/g/downtown-westfield/

Beyond Main.com offers easy fulfillment methods, including buy online, pick-up in-store, curbside delivery, local delivery, email delivery of the Beyond Main Downtown Westfield gift card, and shipping. Shoppers can purchase from multiple stores and check out with one transaction. 

 

"We are proud to partner with Beyond Main and the Westfield PTC to offer this unique way to show teacher appreciation this year," says Bob Zuckerman, Executive Director of the Downtown Westfield Corporation. "Everyone in Westfield wins when we support our teachers and our small businesses." 

 

The benefit of a grant has allowed the Downtown Westfield Corporation to absorb all the start up costs associated with Beyond Main. "We see this as a huge opportunity to get our independent businesses online and make it easy for the community to shop local first, instead of going through giant e-commerce sites," explains Bob Zuckerman. 

 

Why is it so important to support local businesses? Beyond Main’s Founder, Kate Giovambattista, explains, “We continue to face the realities of this COVID world, where 1 in 5 small businesses have closed in 2020 while we continue to see the rise of the third-party e-commerce giants. When you shop local, 50% of every dollar stays in the community compared to just 1% when you buy from large e-commerce. Westfield is innovating in how they give back to their community. Hats off to the PTC for coming up with such an incredible way to support teachers and local business at the same time.” 

Westfield is open for business in-person and now, online. With the help of Beyond Main Downtown Westfield, the online local e-commerce site, locals from near and far will now be able to shop many Westfield retailers from their home or mobile devices.

 

Beyond Main Downtown Westfield, an online "shop local" e-commerce site, has just gone live in Westfield, NJ, in time for Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. 

 

Beyond Main has been steadily growing since its 2018 debut in Summit, NJ.  The company’s mission is to help small businesses and communities thrive in the new era of retail with a convenient way to shop local. That mission has taken on a whole new meaning in the era of COVID-19 with the now critical added benefit of safety.  

 

Beyond Main offers easy fulfillment methods, including buy online, pick-up in-store, curbside delivery, local delivery, and shipping. Through a new partnership with the

Downtown Westfield Corporation, consumers can now make purchases from multiple Westfield businesses using a convenient consolidated check-out process, making it easier than ever to shop local this holiday season.

 

“We are thrilled to partner with Beyond Main to help Westfield businesses establish convenient, online options this holiday season,” said Bob Zuckerman, Executive Director, Downtown Westfield Corporation. “Our business owners have demonstrated remarkable resilience in a year like no other, and the coming weeks will be critical for them.

Providing additional consumer options like the services of Beyond Main are instrumental in our efforts to keep the focus on shopping local.”

 

“The Westfield community is incredibly loyal to its dedicated local business owners, and Beyond Main provides residents and visitors with improved access to their favorite products and services,” said Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle. “This is an important addition to our ongoing efforts to support Downtown Westfield as they kick off their most vital timeframe of the year.”

 

Participating Westfield retailers to date include Ahrre's Coffee Roastery, Acting Out, Beyond Trends, The Chocolate Bar, Cinnaholic, Club Pilates, Evalyn Dunn Gallery of Art, Indigo Art Studio, Mimi and Hill, Outta Hand Pizza, Patricia and Paul's Artisans of Fine Oils and Balsalmics, and Sole Shoes — with more additions expected in the coming days. 

Gift cards will be available for Beyond Main Downtown Westfield starting on December 5. A perfect way to show appreciation for teachers, the Westfield PTO has rallied around the "shop local" cause and is expected to use the new online website for holiday gifts. 

 

“We are so grateful to the DWC and Beyond Main for their collaboration in support of Westfield's small businesses,” said  Anna Mastroianni, owner of Sole Shoes.  “Shopping local is crucial to the vibrancy of our downtown and maintaining the sense of community so deeply felt in Westfield. Having one site where one can browse through our unique shops couldn't be easier. It's a win-win collaboration!”  

 

“Our family is thrilled to have the ability to shop our Westfield retail stores online with delivery. It’s a great way to support our local community while having the convenience and safety of doing it from our home,” says Westfield resident and shop local supporter, Aneesa Chignoli.  

"When you shop or patron a local business, almost 50 percent of what you spend gets recirculated back into your local economy, versus one percent of the same spend through third party online and big-box sites," said Beyond Main Founder, Kate Giovambattista. "This has a ripple effect that not only hurts small business but our communities at large. That is why we created Beyond Main, to change this dynamic and offer a better solution to small businesses and customers wishing to support local businesses in a modern way. Our platform and technology allow individuals to search, discover, shop, and support their favorite local businesses on-demand with ease and convenience," added Kate. 

There are so many reasons to shop downtown Westfield

CLICK HERE to Download a pdf of a map of Downtown Westfield Businesses!

127 of your favorite retail shops & eateries.

Still offering town-wide free, fast local delivery from downtown Westfield retailers.

Curbside pick up and safe transactions. 

Private shopping appointments and concierge shopping throughout town. 

National brands you trust. Independent shops you love. 

The warm feeling of supporting your local downtown community.

 

What you want. Westfield has it.