NEW ASIAN RESTAURANT COMING TO SPRINGFIELD AVENUE MAPLEWOOD
I’m excited to announce that Makoto Asian Cuisine will be opening at 1885 Springfield Avenue, at the corner of Prospect Street. This is the former location of Lexann Pharmacy.
The eat-in & take-out restaurant will offer a menu of Chinese, Japanese and Thai food.
Maplewood will be the restaurant group’s third location. They now operate Taka Sushi in Summit and Makoto Asian Cuisine in Woodbridge.
I visited the owner, Billy Chen, in Summit to welcome him to our community and offer the Township’s full support. Construction plans are being completed and work will take a few months.
We’ll then have a great addition to Maplewood’s food scene. Welcome Makoto!
Among the many things I do as Mayor, attending an Eagle Scout award ceremony, speaking to a youth group or performing a marriage is one of the best parts of the job. Another are the requests to recognize a birthday or anniversary.
Last month, I received an email asking if I would wish Amy a happy 100th birthday. Amy grew up in Maplewood, attending Tuscan School and Columbia High School. She has fond memories of her life in our community; playing in our parks, taking the train to NYC and spending time in Maplewood Village.
Here’s the birthday greeting from all of us. Please join me in wishing Amy a Happy 100th Birthday.
And if you have a special day coming up, let me know.
Talk to the Township Committee
A monthly series for residents to ask questions, share ideas, voice concerns & get info on upcoming events.
Saturday, May 9th 10:00am to 12:00pm
Outside of Walgreen’s
1633 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood
First time for this, from third base to the courthouse!
On the drive back from my Tuesday softball game in Randolph, I received a panic call from the Maplewood Court Administrator. A couple was at the court to be married but a scheduling mix-up with the judge resulted in no one there to officiate. I told the couple that I was in a T-shirt and shorts but would be glad to hop over to perform the wedding.
Glad I did. With more than 30 people in attendance, the wedding of Amoy and Matthew took place. The joyful gathering then went on their way to the wedding reception.
Join me in congratulating the happy couple from South Orange.
On Sunday, I was happy to join South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum and Josh Adler, President of the Maplewood Glee Club. Mayor Collum and I each issued Proclamations recognizing the Club’s 80th Anniversary.
The Club gave a terrific concert, Good Vibrations, celebrating 80 years of harmony.
Deputy Mayor Malia Rulon Herman, Committeeman Dean Dafis and Committeewoman Jane Collins Colding joined me in presenting the Proclamation below:
PROCLAMATION
MAPLEWOOD GLEE CLUB
80TH ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, the Maplewood Glee Club was founded in 1946 by returning World War II GIs, who discovered a shared love of singing while overseas and wanted to continue that fellowship in peacetime; and
WHEREAS, the Club was chartered by the Township of Maplewood, which has been its proud home for eight decades; and
WHEREAS, the Club’s mission is to preserve and promote choral singing through performance, fellowship, and community engagement — while inspiring future generations to participate in local music-making; and
WHEREAS, the Club has presented two major concerts per year — winter and spring — without interruption for the past 80 years and also performs at civic events, holiday festivals and regional arts showcases; and
WHEREAS, the Club annually provides the John A. Plumer Memorial Scholarship to a rising college first year student studying music in college; and
WHEREAS, today’s chorus includes nearly 80 members from Maplewood and surrounding communities, united by a shared love of choral singing, camaraderie, and community service; and
WHEREAS, the Club’s 80th Anniversary Concert marks its first performance in the Columbia High School Auditorium, a new and larger venue to accommodate Maplewood’s enthusiastic audiences.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Victor De Luca Mayor of the Township of Maplewood, on behalf of the Township Committee, do hereby proclaim May 3, 2026 as Maplewood Glee Club Day in the Township of Maplewood, in honor of the Club’s 80th Anniversary; thank the members of the Club for their civic contribution; and urge residents to attend the Club’s future performances.
MAYDAY RALLY IN NEWARK
In Friday, I joined hundreds of labor, civil rights & social justice activists in rallying and marching in downtown Newark.
I spoke about voting on June 2nd & November 3rd for candidates who will fight for democracy and social, economic & political justice.
We have the opportunity to take back the House & Senate but we must organize and vote. Let’s re-elect Mejia in the 11th District and defeat Kean in the 7th District.
On Sunday, April 26th, my colleagues and I on the Maplewood Township Committee joined SOMA bicycle riders to cut the ribbon that officially opened Maplewood’s first dedicated bike lanes on Parker Avenue.
I chaired hours of community meetings during which we heard many views, answered questions, and received valuable suggestions. In the end, the Township Committee came up with a plan that balanced the needs of bicycle riders, Parker Avenue residents, the Maplewood Jewish Center, Columbia High School, pedestrians and drivers.
The combination of bike lanes, improved pedestrian crossings and the introduction of a four-way stop at Suffolk & Parker is a great example of a complete streets approach to planning and design.
The Township Committee is now planning a complete streets design for the entire length of Prospect Street. Zoom meetings are scheduled for April 28th and May 4th at 7pm.
Later this year, the Committee will focus on Dunnell Road with the installation of bike lanes to the train station.
