Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why Westfield’s beloved 16 Prospect suddenly closed after 20-plus years
Spotted on the Westfield calendar: Five Things You Must Know About Estate Planning After 65 (Online)
Coffee in hand, Westfield? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Westfield’s beloved 16 Prospect suddenly closed after 20-plus years
- Why Westfield firefighters rushed to a dangerous six-alarm warehouse inferno
Also on today's calendar: Five Things You Must Know About Estate Planning After 65 (Online) and 9 more events.
Find out what's happening in Westfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Westfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Some sun returning; breezy, with a high of 32 and low of 22 degrees.
- Saturday: Some sun, then clouds, temps: high: 34, low: 26.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 36 and low of 22 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Family-Owned 16 Prospect Wine Bar & Bistro in Westfield Closing (tapinto.net) — A longtime downtown favorite, 16 Prospect Wine Bar & Bistro in Westfield has closed permanently, leaving many locals stunned and saddened. Owners and regulars describe the spot as an unpretentious neighborhood hub for live music, celebrations, political gatherings, and everyday meetups that helped define Westfield’s community feel for more than two decades. 
• Massive 6-alarm blaze rips through N.J. warehouse. Alerts issued to residents. (nj.com subscription) — Westfield firefighters are among several local departments battling a massive six-alarm warehouse fire in nearby Roselle Park, prompting air-quality concerns Thursday night. Residents near Valley Road were urged to avoid the area and keep windows closed as heavy smoke spread, while officials continue monitoring conditions and assisting affected families.
📸 Around Westfield
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Westfield
★ Featured events ★
- Five Things You Must Know About Estate Planning After 65 (Online)
Online,
2:30 pm
Friday January 2
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Basketball: Boys Varsity vs. Ramapo (Home)
Manasquan High School
5:00 pm - SHOULDA 12:00-6:00
Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre , 78 Winans Ave , Cranford - Ice Hockey: Girls Varsity vs. Madison (Away)
Westfield High School , 550 Dorian Road , Westfield
8:00 pm - Adult Improv!
439 South Ave W , Westfield
9:00 am - Summit Old Guard Speaker Program - Civil War - A Personal Connection
New Providence Presbyterian Church , 1307 Springfield Ave , New Providence
10:00 am - Mah Jongg & Lunch at the Fortnightly Club at Twin Maples
Twin Maples , 214 Springfield Ave , Summit
11:45 am - Westfield Area YMCA Child Care Open Houses
220 Clark St , Westfield
10:00 am - American Red Cross Lifeguard Training at the Westfield Area YMCA
220 Clark St , Westfield
11:00 am - Meadowbrook Day Camp to Host Open House on January 11, 2026
Meadowbrook Country Day Camp , 73 E Valley Brook Rd , Washington Township
11:00 am - Rahway River Fly Tying Group - Fly Tying Demo
Cranford Community Center , 220 Walnut Ave , Cranford
7:00 pm - Summit Old Guard Speaker Program - The Apollo Program
New Providence Presbyterian Church , 1307 Springfield Ave , New Providence
10:00 am
Saturday January 3
Sunday January 4
Monday January 5
Tuesday January 6
Friday January 9
Saturday January 10
Sunday January 11
Monday January 12
Tuesday January 13
📣 Westfield Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Westfield PatchAM possible:
- Somerset Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery — 908-222-0070
A patient-centered plastic surgery practice - Dogtopia of Union — (475) 338-3501
Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness - Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Lantern Hill Offers Impressive Amenities, Predictable Finances, and Lasting Value —Elizabeth Fabiano Read on Patch
- All lanes are blocked on the New Jersey Turnpike Outer Roadway northbound south of Interchange 13 - I-278/Goethals Bridge (Linden) due to a crash.
6:18AM on Jan 1: Crash on New Jersey Turnpike Outer Roadway northbound south of Interchange 13 - I-278/Goethals Bridge (Linden) blocks 1 left lane of… (Nextdoor )
- Stop & Shop posted a job opening for PT Courtesy Clerk-Bundler - Front End - 0857 in Westfield. Apply here.
- BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) posted a job opening for Forklift Operator in Plainfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Westfield here.
🗞 Nearby News
Cranford
- Cranford's library steps into 2026 with continued extensive programming for children and adults (unionnewsdaily.com)
- Cranford Cafe Closing After Nearly 12 Years In Business (patch.com)
Rahway
- 29th Annual Lehrer-Gibilisco Softball Tournament Raises Money for Great Cause (tapinto.net)
Ok Westfield! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I just lost interest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
