Tons Of New Businesses Coming To Westfield, 'Open Quimby' Returns

WESTFIELD, NJ — With new restaurants, the opening up of Quimby Street and designated drinking areas, Downtown Westfield sets out to be a lively hub this summer.

Multiple new businesses are opening up in the next few months, according to Downtown Westfield Corporation, and residents have a variety of events to look forward to. The town is also bringing back the pedestrian plaza on Quimby Street, expanding outdoor dining and retail space.

“After a challenging two years driven by the uncertainty of COVID, we have made incredible
progress in Downtown Westfield,” Downtown Westfield Corporation Executive Director
Bob Zuckerman said.

“With the upcoming return of Open Quimby and some favorite annual events
like Girls’ Night Out and the Pizza Run, as well as many new businesses opening, it’s an exciting
time for residents, local businesses, and visitors."

Zuckerman reported that the following new businesses recently opened in Westfield — from retail to dining and professional services.

Recently opened businesses:

• Maya Thai Eatery 235 Elmer Street – Thai cuisine (April 2022, formerly Xocolatz)
• Evalyn Dunn Gallery Annex with Ricardo Roig Collection 331 West Broad Street – Art gallery (March 2022, formerly Kings Bowl)
• MAG Physical Therapy, Pilates & Wellness 84 Elm Street, 2nd Floor (March 2022)
• The Green Room 29 Elm Street – CBD store (February 2022, formerly Towne Barber Shoppe) — Read more: Welcome The Green Room: Westfield's First CBD Shop
• Westfield Pharmacy 126 Central Avenue, with entrance on Quimby Street (January 2022)
• Zen & Go – Acupuncture & Healing 189 Elm Street, 2nd Floor (January 2022)
• DENTOLOGEM 210 South Avenue West – Dental office (December 2021, formerly VP Salon)
• Coffee Kiosk by Boxcar South Avenue Train Station (December 2021)
• Surreal Creamery 130 East Broad Street – Custom-made ice cream and milkshakes, bubble teas, lattes, slushies and jasmine fruit teas (December 2021, formerly Midtown Authentic) — Read more: The Latest Scoop: Surreal Creamery Comes To Westfield
• Barre3 276 North Avenue East – Barre studio (November 2021, formerly Westfield Liquors)
• Blissful Beauty 220 East Broad Street – Cosmetics, perfumes, swimwear, lingerie and accessories (November 2021, formerly Ella Allure, now located on Central Avenue)
• The Gallery 21 Elm Street – Art gallery, curated gifts and accessories (November 2021, formerly First Class Nail Salon & Spa)
• Wallitsch Art 100 Elmer Street – Art gallery (October 2021)
• Stretch Recovery Lounge 307 South Avenue West (October 2021)
• Victoria’s Cakes 409 Westfield Avenue – Authentic French Bakery (September 2021)

In a tweet, Mayor Shelley Brindle said many of these new businesses are owned and operated by women.

"At a time when the pandemic forced women to make an impossible choice between managing career or caring for family/educating their kids, it’s gratifying to see women betting on themselves & on our community," Brindle wrote.

The following are businesses coming soon to Westfield:

• Gong Cha 129 East Broad Street – Bubble tea, known for its signature Milk Foam (formerly Omaha Steaks)
• Chutzpah Kitchen 138 East Broad Street – Middle Eastern cuisine (formerly Savory Spice) — Read more: This Restaurant Coming To Westfield Sure Has Some Chutzpah
• Ward Conway Realty 33 Elm Street – Real estate office
• The Life by Alli & Paige 52 Elm Street – Lifestyle products, beautiful aesthetics, fashion and design (formerly Castle Bootery)
• Kirshenbaum Baking Co 62 Elm Street – Hand-baked cookies and treats, including gluten free and dairy free options (formerly Papyrus)
• AHD & Co 116 Elm Street (above G Lab Aesthetics) – Architecture and interior design firm
• Artistique Hair Studio 105 Prospect Street – Hair salon (formerly Leo Charles Salon)
• La Bendita 116 Quimby Street – Mexican cuisine (formerly LaVash) — Read more: La Bendita Brings Authentic Mexican Cuisine To Westfield This Summer
• Maize Cocktails and Cocina Westfield North Ave Train Station – 300 North Ave West —Mexican cuisine and cocktail bar — Read more: Mexican Restaurant, Cocktail Bar Coming Soon To Westfield
• Viktoria Seiz 407 South Ave West – Raw vegan desserts (formerly Westfield Shoe Repair)

There are also several events to look out for in the coming months, according to Downtown Westfield Corporation.

Here's a few highlights:

• Spring Fling: Sunday, May 1 — Read more: Westfield's 27th Annual Spring Fling Returns This May
• Girls' Night Out: Thursday, May 5 — an evening of entertainment, special offers, shopping, and refreshments from downtown businesses.
• Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival: every Tuesday evening in July and August from 7 to 9 p.m. — includes music entertainment at various locations in town
• Downtown Westfield 5K and Pizza Extravaganza: Monday, July 18 — 20th annual pizza run

The return of Open Quimby is scheduled for early May, which will feature expanded outdoor dining and retail space, entertainment and wellness programming on Quimby. The pedestrian plaza was first created in 2020 as the result of restrictions placed on businesses during the pandemic.

The town will once again transform Quimby Street into a one-way street over the next several months. On Tuesday nights in July and August during the Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival, the road will be fully closed to cars.

Zuckerman added that many of the 15-minute, short-term parking spots in town will revert back to standard metered parking, allowing for additional parking for residents and visitors. These parking changes will take effect starting Monday, May 2.

In addition, an ordinance recently passed by the Town Council allows for the consumption of alcoholic beverages outdoors in certain parts of our downtown, which stems from a recent State law adoption and was done in consultation with the Chief of Police.

Read more about it here: Westfield Council Passes Outdoor Drinking Ordinance Despite Concerns

This legislation will allow residents and visitors to open and consume alcoholic beverage in select areas and parklets throughout Westfield.

Have a news tip? Email remy.samuels@patch.com.

Get a free morning newsletter with news in Westfield or another town: https://patch.com/subscribe