One season ends to make way for another and these days I find myself asking, ‘Where has the time gone?’
Only a few weeks remain but with the beautiful chaos that’s about to ensue – courtesy of the holiday season – there’s no time to waste on the odds and ends that make it all special.
Now that summer feels like a distant memory, it’s only fitting to sip on something warm to lessen the chill that’s settled in. French Press Cafe, known to locals as a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Moorestown’s Main Street, is the answer.
Its elegance does the trick – with the sparkling, crystal chandelier dangling above and the Christmas tree decked out in gold and silver ornaments. The aroma of autumn flavors like Apple Spice and Salted Caramel linger while a variety of pastries and treats – croissants, macarons, beignets – don’t fall too far behind. The soft music sets the tone for the kind that’s needed either before or after a hard day’s work.
Inspired by the rich coffee culture of Paris, five minutes inside and you feel as if you’ve slipped away to the City of Light without a care in the world. Central to its experience is the cafe’s partnership with La Colombe, a renowned coffee roaster known for its high-quality, ethically sourced beans and unique blends. French Press offers a variety of La Colombe’s coffees – including their popular draft lattes and cold brews – that you can have on the spot or purchase to take home. But it’s not just about the food and beverage. French Press also has items to browse that make for the perfect holiday gifts for all ages. If you’re anything like me and you’re looking for a place to escape, a place that offers a different feeling to the typical coffee shop, be sure to give it a go.
The Moorestown Mall has seen its fair share of changes but with each passing year it has evolved to meet the needs of the people around it, with the shopping, dining and entertainment experience thriving. Cooper University Health Care opened the first phase of its newest and largest outpatient campus at the mall two years ago. Construction started months ago on Pearl Apartment Homes, a 375-unit, one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury apartment complex that will have all the amenities. Picture a resort-style swimming pool with a lavish sun deck and spa with a massage room, a state-of-the-art fitness center with cardio, free-weight areas and a yoga studio. Not to mention a parlor with gaming tables, a modern podcast studio designed for creativity and connection.
And, if you’re still not satisfied, the mall is only steps away, where you’ll find a mix of local shops, retailers and restaurants including Ryfe Restaurant. This locally owned restaurant strives to create a unique social experience for its diners with happy hour specials and offerings like Wine Wednesday. From sourcing and selection to presentation, every dish is thoughtfully prepared with the consumer in mind. Ryfe Restaurant and its neighbors check off that box, while the mall’s Curate Noir, co-owned by Nika and Alban Corbett, is a chic marketplace that showcases an eclectic mix of items and gifts from Black-owned businesses. Curate Noir is more than a business but one that celebrates female empowerment with its Women Crushing It experience, a yearly-held conference where women share their stories of trials and triumphs to help inspire and motivate the success of other women. Their events like perfume parties are a great way to sit back and unwind before the holiday rush takes full effect. This workshop is all about experimenting with scents and designing a fragrance that speaks to the heart. It’s BYOB – at the pace of the consumer – and it also offers cologne making, the mechanics for an affordable date night. From beauty products to jewelry, clothing, gift sets, children’s books and more, Curate Noir is a can’t-miss shop that’s sure to hit the mark.
It’s back to Moorestown’s downtown Main Street, where sights are transformed into a winter wonderland. Snowflake lights aglow, storefront windows adorned with all the holiday fixings and the beautiful and bright tree and Menorah on the lawn of the Community House, an almost century-old building that serves as one of the main gathering points for all who call this historic town home. The nonprofit’s tree light celebration is a tradition that embodies all that the Community House stands for in that it creates memories and further bonds people and families to each other and to the town. Like the Moorestown Mall, the Community House has had a ton of renovations since its inception, but the most exciting thing is what’s to come. A partnership with Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) and King’s Road Brewing Company will not only give RCBC students the chance to earn hands-on, authentic brewery experience, but the Community House’s library will serve as a spot for people to pull up a seat and taste new brews. A sensible project that’s ready to launch.
With an additional location in Haddonfield, Moorestown’s Happy Hippo Toys has been in business for more than 40 years. Inside you’ll find unique items for kids that range from stuffed animals to magic sets and toys that inspire and motivate creativity and imagination. Every aisle is fixed with something that makes it feel as if it would be hard to find somewhere else. Family owned and operated; the environment isn’t just welcoming but satisfactory. Even for adults this shop is sure to bring a smile, taking you back to when life was simple with its old school board games and puzzles. Just think of the joy this establishment will bring to the little ones, perfect timing with the excitement of the holiday season arising.
Home Off Main, owned and founded by Joan Delaney, is a cozy shop on Main Street that has everything from women’s and children’s apparel to accessories, home décor and more. Delaney is passionate about all things ‘home’ and has applied her tasteful aesthetic to expand the store’s offerings. As a realtor with over 20 years’ experience, she’s seen the interiors of many houses – an insight that led her to understand what makes for appealing design. With inviting and accessible designs, Home Off Main believes that the consumer’s home should be personalized for their individual taste. But this is a business that, like most, also offers perks such as trunk shows, holiday open houses, workshops, sales and more. What’s the shopping experience without food? Joints like Luna Y Sol Mexican Restaurant, Moorestown Bagels, Carollo’s Little Italy, Akira Moorestown, Passariello’s Moorestown – Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen and Healthy Garden Cafe and sweet-treat shops like Pie Lady Cafe, The Cubby Hole and Cupcake Carnivale are just a few of the options. Cockadoodle Dan’s Wings & Steaks, established in 2020, prides itself on serving its customers high quality, freshly prepared food daily, and providing fast and friendly customer service. While the menu calls for steaks, chicken sandwiches, wings and more, it’s sure to cease the stomach growling or make that ‘hangry’ feeling disappear.
Just down the road from Moorestown Florals (aka Moorestown Flower Shoppe) stands guard Diligence, a life-size, bronze Percheron horse statue sculpted by artist Joshua Koffman that commemorates the 1839 introduction of the Percheron to the United States in Moorestown by Edward Harris II (1799-1863), gentleman farmer and philanthropist. Harris was struck by the strength, stamina, speed, spirit and calm temperament of the Percheron horses that pulled the stagecoaches (or diligences) that he made several imports of the French horses with the intent of improving the work horses in America. Diligence (1839-1859) was Harris’ first stallion, and his lineage continues in the Percheron bred in America today. Located at the intersection of Main and High streets, Percheron Park features a low brick wall at the street corner with some surrounding plantings, benches and stamped concrete with hoof prints. The Friends of Percheron Park fundraised more than $200,000 for the sculpture and other design elements of the park. For more than half a century, Moorestown Florals has created timeless designs meant to celebrate life’s most meaningful moments. Their mission is to have every arrangement tell a story, with garden-style, modern, traditional and high-end floral arrangements handcrafted with care using the freshest, highest-quality blooms. Moorestown Florals allows the consumer to decide how they want to bring their floral vision to life and with options like Blushing Harvest, Soft Kisses and Love & Forever, they don’t fall short.
Moorestown natives Julie and Pete Bender, co-owners of Moorestown Hardware on Mill Street, didn’t close the store’s doors during the pandemic. That community support and dedication earned them the co-Citizens of the Year award for 2021. Housed in a rustic former lumberyard that dates from 1879, their business isn’t your typical hardware store but one that fits all – automotive, gifts, beauty products, kid’s toys, farm and ranch, bath, building supplies and materials and more. This place has served Moorestown for more than 100 years and with their extensive holiday decorating selection (imagine the festive lights, the tall and small trees, the mystical snow globes), all the décor is right at your fingertips. Navy Blue Home and Gifts on Main Street features the work of several artists. Designer Natalie Pope offers travel, shopping and beach totes in a Nantucket fabric of her own design, while artist Carol Nash offers custom ceramics and paintings in watercolors and oils. Mary Jane Montemuro, former president of the Moorestown Garden Club, designs custom-slip covers, painted furniture, glitter houses and floral design. Carol McLaughlin’s custom-knit sweaters for infants, children and adults feature fun stripes and graphics. Melissa McGrath, owner of Navy Blue, opened her business in 2012 with a few goals in mind – to support the mission of the “Made in the USA” brand, bring items of local interest to Moorestown and surrounding communities and to give friends a place to showcase their talent. Navy Blue was born when the youngest of McGrath’s four children left for college. She had notebooks and magazine pages full of ideas and energy to spare, thus turning that into something tangible. Just make sure to watch out for store security. Nellie, a 10-year-old Boston Terrier, is Navy Blue’s top guard dog.
Sometimes it feels like it’s a struggle to find what fits for those who are looking to change things. But Health Haven of Moorestown solves that problem. With offerings of diet, health, nutritional supplements and personal care products, Health Haven also has a knowledgeable staff ready to answer questions and provide one-on-one attention. Founder Donna Wood was one of the original founders of Health Haven’s additional locations in Hainesport and Medford. For over 35 years, Health Haven’s customers have told them what works and what doesn’t. As a business that chooses its products based on clinical studies and customer feedback, Health Haven’s goal is simple: to help the consumer choose the right product for them. For the girls who are looking for style to fit any occasion, Apricot Lane Boutique on Main Street is the ticket. Like all its stores, Apricot Lane Boutique Moorestown is independently owned and operated but part of a much larger brand family. Their relaxed atmosphere is meant to give the time and space needed to browse their lines, try pieces on and make the perfect choice. Fashion consultants for the women’s clothing store are always on hand to help with finding the right color, size and style, all while giving that interaction and engagement that’s sure to put the consumer at ease. Women of all ages are sure to have no trouble finding flattering, timeless and fun clothing and accessories that are high-quality and affordable at this place.
Moorestown stands out for many reasons. Whether it’s because of its history, the communities of supportive neighbors, friends and family, the excellent school system, the beautifully designed attractions or Main Street, it’s really anyone’s call. But one thing’s for sure – it’s a town that can’t be missed. And now that the best time of the year is here, Moorestown is just the place to be.
