Laurel Kornfeld

Laurel Kornfeld is a freelance writer and community activist in Highland Park. She blogs on local and regional events at blogforhighlandpark.blogspot.com.

Stories from Laurel Kornfeld

The Year That Was, Was That Year There
Laurel Kornfeld
Wednesday, January 4, 2012

The year 2011 began with Highland Park digging out from a late December blizzard, beginning another snowy winter. The long-awaited Raritan Avenue sidewalk improvements finally began, a popular teacher was jailed for sex crimes, and controversy surrounded a proposed charter school. Arts and culture continued to flourish, and the Occupy movement inspired local activism and participation.

Greentopia takes over for Anna's Health Foods
Laurel Kornfeld
Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Greentopia is the new name of the health food store known for 22 years as “Anna’s.” The new name was chosen by new owners Henry and Susan Seo, who recently purchased the store at 401-403 Raritan Avenue.

The Seos, who live in south Edison, were the personal choice of previous owners Young and Anna Pak, who recently retired. The Paks “wanted a dependable person” to take over. Henry and Susan, who both immigrated from Korea in the 1990s, decided to go ahead with buying it even though they had never managed a store before.

Protecting and sharing a Central Jersey jewel
Laurel Kornfeld
Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The Raritan River is a resource that belongs completely to New Jersey, with a 1200-mile watershed. It covers 100 municipalities and seven counties, serving over one million people.

In spite of this, there was no joint planning by the many governments involved, and there were no common goals for the river until the Sustainable Raritan River Initiative began. Individual groups did take on their own projects, but no one looked at regional planning.

Local paint-repreneur aims to start spreading some rainbows
Laurel Kornfeld
Wednesday, September 28, 2011

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.

The Covered Girl: showing style without too much skin
Laurel Kornfeld
Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Women and girls who choose to dress modestly have a new one-stop shop at The Covered Girl, located at 235 Raritan Avenue. The Covered Girl is owned by Sharon Garber, a 27-year borough resident.

“You can find something modest here and there at Macy's or Kohl's, but you really have to hunt. You can’t find a lot of stuff that meets these requirements, particularly in teenage styles,” Garber says.

New family restaurant is 'a trust business'
Laurel Kornfeld
Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Meeting Point is an appropriate name for a restaurant that serves diverse styles of food at one place. Located at the corner of Raritan and North Third Avenues in Highland Park, this blend of American, Turkish, Russian, Israeli and Italian food officially opened on June 27.

“In a family, the wife may want to go to an ethnic restaurant, the husband may want steak, and the kid may want burgers. I have it all for a family and at economical prices,” says owner Mete Mavus.

Shawarma Express puts a new twist on the quick lunch
Laurel Kornfeld
Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Shawarma Express, the newest ethnic restaurant in downtown Highland Park, opened July 1, and in only two months has become a popular destination for Highland Park residents. People come straight from work or the gym and eat comfort food that is healthy, says co-owner Kresnik “Niki” Salijaj.

The new restaurant, located at 418 Raritan Avenue, offers Israeli and Middle Eastern food fresh off the grill in a casual environment.

"Highland Park needs a place like this,” Salijaj said. “A lot of people come and are so happy we’re open. People are tired of pizza all the time.”

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