Montclair Garden Club Names May Basket Competition Winners

It’s half-way through May in Montclair and the Montclair Garden Club has announced the winners of this year’s May Basket Competition.

The competition for Montclair merchants is a longstanding tradition. Sixty businesses participated this year with half of them earning blue ribbons for exceptional creativity and effort, according to the Montclair Garden Club.

The townwide “Best in Show” recognition went to The Accessory Box on South Fullerton Avenue. The shop owner and her sister created a memorial garden honoring the victims of Superstorm Sandy, as well as the tragedies in Newtown, Conn., West, Texas and the Boston Marathon. The garden featured pools surrounded by flowers, an arbor of lilac, a basket of roses and a poem “Reflections”.

In Upper Montclair, blue ribbons were awarded to Caldwell Banker, Chelsea Square, Coco, Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Frederick Goodman, Jonathan’s Balloons, Learning Express, My Inheritance, Piazza Della Sole, Pink Bungalow, Rabbit Rabbit, Saunders Hardware. Inspired by the Montclair Film Festival, Coco earned a “Best in Show” award for their creative mannequin, which sported a floral and film stripped skirt.

I’ve Got a Notion, Watchung Deli, Family Chiropractor, Watchung Booksellers, Plaza Haircutters and the American Royal Hardware Store won blue ribbons in Watching Plaza

In preparation for a weekend festival on Walnut Street, there were beautiful flowers at Red Eye Restaurant, which earned them a “Best in Show”. Jackie Kling’s and Egan’s were also recognized with blue ribbons, as were Marzullo’s and Portray Salon on Grove Street and Sotheby’s on Park Street.

In the Central Business District, blue ribbons were awarded to  Duke and Duchess, The Samba Brazilian Restaurant, Aunt Jean’s Toys & Treats, Cupcakes, Hip Chic, Nest & Company and The Accessory Box.