An event provides focus—whether a single business or an entire town. Tourists, shoppers, diners and the plain curious show up.
By Al Warr
Town-wide events are popular attractions. Businesses and organizations are anxious to put together events to attract attention to the towns. And Flemington is outdoing itself starting next weekend.
An event provides focus--whether a single business or an entire town. Tourists, shoppers, diners and the plain curious show up.
They take their time ambling down sidewalks and streets. For them, it's a chance to get outside. It's exercise. It's an adventure.
They explore, poking through businesses they might not otherwise ever get to know. They grab a latte and a bite to eat. They learn new things and fill their shopping bags with unexpected delights.
Flemington is holding two, not one, but two, town-wide events starting next Saturday, March 5. The town will come alive that day with the Health & Wellness Fair.
More than 20 businesses and groups will be participating.
Starting Monday, March 7 and continuing through Saturday, March 13, it's Restaurant Week in Flemington. More than a dozen restaurants will be participating, and others are expected to join the list.
Both these events are organized by Flemington's Business Improvement District (BID). Restaurants and cafes are a significant part of BID. Visit DowntownFlemington.com for more information on both events, or call the BID office at 908-617-3243. Also on Facebook.
The Health & Wellness Fair has been a popular attraction in the past.
Free health and wellness events will be open to the public. Sessions include traditional, alternative, and complimentary services--and much more.
"You can take a yoga class, learn about nutrition, participate in a tea tasting, have a mini massage or acupuncture session, take Tai Chi or a class on mindfulness," advised Gina Edwards at the BID offices.
This is not just a Main Street event. Sessions can be found on the side streets as well as at the Stangl Center and Turntable Junction.
At press time, participants included: Be Here Now Yoga, Jersey Community Acupuncture, Kev Von Holt Art Gallery, Soulvivor, A Life in Balance Physical Therapy & Wellness, Flemington DIY, Kissimmee River Pottery, Girls On The Run of Hunterdon Bucks & Warren Counties, UnCorked, Caffe Cicchetti, Leo Family Dental, Balanced Blend Therapeutic Massage, Sage by Attachments, Cadence Cycling & Fitness, Teaberry's, Gardner Family Chiropractic, New You Nutrition, Flemington Chiropractic Center, The Grill Shack, NYR Organics, ShopRite, Flemington Public Library, Noemi Bolton and Carol L. Freund--both of whom are psychotherapists specializing in clinical social work and therapy.
"This year we are honored to have the Hunterdon Medical Center and ShopRite of Flemington as sponsors," said Megan Jones-Holt, executive director of BID. "We have been named once again as the healthiest county in New Jersey."
"I'll be offering a free acupuncture clinic during the Health & Wellness Fair, from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, March 5," said Nicole Maniez. She runs Jersey Community Acupuncture at 117 Broad St. "We treat everybody together--peaceful, cozy, and easy."
Maniez also offers demonstrations to various groups--oncology, assisted living places and any other group. Visit JerseyAcu.com or call 908-237-1076. Also on Facebook, where you can book an appointment.
Dr. Paula Czapla operates A Life In Balance Physical Therapy & Wellness located at 1 Stangl Road. She specializes in movement and mobility treatments for infants through adults.
From 9-10 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, Billie Herzer will be offering a free class on yoga. Then, between 2-3 p.m., therapist Carol Freund will be offering a free presentation meant to strengthen your emotional muscle. Between 3:30-4:45 p.m., Dr. Czapla and Alison Levine will be leading a free class on the pathway to complete wellness utilizing physical therapy and yoga.
"This class will address common misalignment in classic yoga poses and explore variations to bring students into greater awareness of their range of strength and mobility," said Levine.
For more information, visit ALifeInBalancePT.com or call 908-751-5615 to make an appointment.
Susan Peterson runs Teaberry's, the popular destination at 2 Main St.
"For the Health & Wellness Fair, we're offering 20 percent off all salads," she said. "Also, we'll be offering a tea tasting of Rooibos, a healthful herbal tea from South Africa. It's high in antioxidants and it comes in different varieties."
She has just returned from the New York Gift Show with many new items offered in the gift shop. And she's planning a huge outdoor sale come spring.
"For Restaurant Week, we'll be offering a special $25 afternoon tea," she said.
For more information, visit Teaberrys.com or call 908 788-1010.
Matt McPherson is the new chairman of the Restaurant Association. And he operates Matt's Red Rooster Grill located at 22 Bloomfield Ave.
"There are between 50 and 60 restaurants in Flemington and Raritan Township," he said. Many are participating in Restaurant Week, offering specials.
He will be preparing a fixed price three-course dinner for $33. And, yes, it will include his signature grilled romaine.
For more information, visit MattsRedRoosterGrill.com or call 908-788-7050.
In addition to Matt's and Teaberry's, other participating restaurants include Mangia Bene, The Grill Shack, Garden State Salad, Caffe Cicchetti, Greensleees Bakery, Shaker Cafe, Chive & Thyme, Market Roost, Main Street Bagel, Theresa's Cafe, and Chick-Fil-A.
Al Warr - 610-253-0432 - AlWarr16@gmail.com