AVENUES

In October, Pure Light - Crafts & Beyond opened its doors at 233 Raritan Avenue in the heart of Highland Park’s business district. The owner, Julio Arboleda, is no stranger to the borough: Highland Park is the first town in which he lived when he arrived in the United States more than 20 years ago.

Mr. Arboleda’s shop specializes in the sale of items which he classifies as “yoga and meditation supplies, gifts and ‘New Age’ products.” The roots of this entrepreneurial undertaking sink into the soil of Arboleda’s Andean homeland.

Bons vivants in the area who seek a fresh take on solid and liquid refreshment are in luck this week. The stars align on Friday night -- 11/11/11 -- as Highland Park resident Marlon Pando hosts a “pre-launch” party of his plans for a tapas and pisco lounge.

Highland Park is a diverse community ready for its many populations to co-exist, and Donna Maiorano, owner of the new unique boutique Peace, Love, & Stuff, is looking to create the environment where co-existence will thrive.

Highland Park’s “A Better World" Café opens its second summer in operation with an exciting expansion. Starting June 17, patrons will be able to enjoy ‘suggested price’ dinners on Friday evenings.

The new hours -- 11 AM to 9 PM on Friday and 11 AM to 3PM on Monday through Thursday -- coincide with the opening of the borough's "Jersey Fresh" Farmers Market located outdoors at 222 Raritan Avenue, adjacent to A Better World Café.

It's official - Almetra Lundy, owner of Kinetics personal-training studio, is moving her fitness and wellness business down to Raritan Avenue, with a grand open house this weekend.

"Kinetics implies movement, and we are all about getting people moving in a way that improves their health and well being,” Lundy says. The new storefront at 409 Raritan Avenue, across from the Highland Park post office, opens this weekend with a two day dance and music celebration.

As Highland Park's economic strategists wait out the Great Recession, business owners and residents report a mixed bag of results.

James McCrone, executive director of the non-profit organization Main Street Highland Park (MSHP), says development of the downtown "is not strictly political or governmental; it is a process."

As the theater department at Highland Park High School prepares for their annual spring show, three local restaurants have partnered together to offer "dinner and a show" special this week

The HPHS drama department performs “Seussical the Musical” for three nights only, beginning Thursday, March 30th through Saturday, April 2nd. Advance tickets are still on sale at press time -- $10 reserved seating, $8 general admission -- for the 7 PM shows.

Don’t hold your breath waiting for the state’s Energy Master Plan (EMP) to be unveiled.

The plan, under revision by the Christie administration for more than half a year, is once again being delayed, this time ostensibly because the state failed to follow public notice requirements associated with holding hearings on the document.

Could you use some free computer software? Or how about a gift certificate from one of the greenest spas in New Jersey? Maybe a gift basket from a chic flower shop?

 

You have a chance to win all of that, plus more, in the 3rd Annual “Win the Window” contest sponsored by Main Street Highland Park (MSHP).