New Bookstore Taking Place Of Shuttered Mendham Laundromat 

MENDHAM, NJ — Last month, the Mendham Laundromat officially shuttered its doors, leaving some residents to wonder what new establishment would be joining the community.

The Mendham Laundromat, located at 84 East Main Street, shuttered and cleared out in August, much to the chagrin of community members who relied on the laundromat as a primary or secondary source of laundry.

With the Mendham Laundromat closed, the nearest self-service laundromats are now located in Flanders and Bernardsville.

Shortly after the closing was announced, a new sign was erected in the shop window, announcing the opening of a new neighborhood bookstore. According to the sign, Chapter One Books will be occupying the space in the coming months.

"Chapter One is a small, local bookstore. Our goal is to bring a cozy, neighborhood store where readers can browse for books and more," the bookstore's website states.

The bookstore is owned by Sophia Maoli, who was born and raised in Mendham.

As of Sept. 1, there has been no official announcement of an opening date for Chapter One.

According to the website, the bookstore will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.

Residents expressed their enthusiasm for the new venture on social media. "This is Fantastic! Finally, a decent new store," one resident wrote on Facebook. " "Omgosh. This is AMAZING !!! I miss having a bookstore," another one wrote.

Chapter One will mark another new business joining the community, following the recent opening of Dunkin', which opened its doors at the end of August.

The coffee shop, which has been described as a "next-generation Dunkin' restaurant," was first approved for 25 East Main Street in December 2018, following initial public objections to the proposed drive-thru and commercial business.

However, following multiple planning board meetings, the store was constructed to be historically compatible with the borough's standards, which Mendham Borough Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner and other locals felt was very significant to the neighborhood.

The coffee and doughnut shop is open every day from 5 a.m. until 8 p.m.