It’s a very lively scene here. Lots of folks, lots of families. It’s probably three times bigger than the old joint. The front garage doors are open so it’s very airy and light.
Very chic industrial style.
There are five high top tables seating six. Five 2-tops, five 4-tops and a bench along the wall with about 10 tables that can seat four so they can accommodate larger parties.
There are also five bistro tables for two and each garage door (there are three) has a high top with five bar seats.
They are letting in some riff raff. Dude in a SXMW T-shirt was taking pics.
Be forewarned that it’s illegal to park across the street. That didn’t seem to stop about 20 people from parking there. I didn’t see any tickets but I imagine the MWPD will swing by if it gets too flagrant.
They do indeed have a parking lot behind the building. It’s currently gravel (except two handicapped spots) and it’s going to stay that way for now.
They are considering opening the upstairs as an event space but that’s not set in stone. There is also a space in front that looks ready-made for outdoor dining but no tables yet.
We enjoyed ourselves. We hadn’t been to Arturo’s in years. We enjoy the food but we’ve never felt like the wait was worth it. Maybe with the larger space and the bar area this won’t be such a problem.
I wish them great luck in their new location. I can certainly see myself heading over there for lunch. Here are their hours:
We stopped by yesterday and got some pastries. It looks great, much bigger than Arturo's. Some things can be ordered at the counter and they will bring the food to your table (maybe this is just the bakery counter).
Definitely park in the back, the street was mess (parking wise). Traffic was also being detoured past the restaurant due to utility work.
I don't remember the 5 & 10 being there in 2004 when we first moved here and Dan & Fred took Arturo's over after that.
because the 5&10 was long gone. Arturo’s was a dead pizzeria that middle school kids hung out in after school. Fred and Dan worked their magic and made that corner the hottest spot in the village.
The 5&10 was still there when we moved to Maplewood in the 1980s, but I don't remember how long it lasted. It was a cool store and I missed it after it was gone. But I'm sure it was the rising rents that did it in. Then there was a furniture (?) place called Richard Rogers or something like that in there for a few years afterward.
Look forward to giving it a try. I would take out from there once in a blue moon when it was in town but it isn't the only good pizza in the area, and I would never put up with the wait for sit down service. Hopefully, with the expanded size and less central location, it will be easier to eat there.
I don't remember the 5 & 10 being there in 2004 when we first moved here and Dan & Fred took Arturo's over after that.
because the 5&10 was long gone. Arturo’s was a dead pizzeria that middle school kids hung out in after school. Fred and Dan worked their magic and made that corner the hottest spot in the village.
The 5&10 was still there when we moved to Maplewood in the 1980s, but I don't remember how long it lasted. It was a cool store and I missed it after it was gone. But I'm sure it was the rising rents that did it in. Then there was a furniture (?) place called Richard Rogers or something like that in there for a few years afterward.
I remember the furniture store. Are you talking about the space that is now Keller Williams? (or maybe Words)
Richard Robert’s was where Keller Williams is now.
There’s a nifty function in Google Street View that lets you choose a street view from the past. The oldest one for Maplewood Ave appears to be from Halloween 2007. If you’re feeling nostalgic for the old post office you can revisit it.
Unfortunately the image quality is too poor to see what was playing at the movie theatre that day.
Richard Roberts was a unique store with a wonderful assortment of beautiful items. I still have some of my purchases which remind me of the store.Every Christmas I bring down from the attic my big floppy Santa and perch him on my mantel. Every day I’m still using a handbag from there,etc. I think they moved to Morristown but don’t know if they are still in business.
Richard Roberts closed in the mid ‘90’s. Words book store is a valuable resource for the community. I like the new location a lot. Open and welcoming. I dislike cramped seating in restaurants. So yeah I’m sure Fred will make it work.
It was open as of 2007 on the Google Street View. Maybe you forgot a decade?
I moved to Maplewood in 1994. It was still the 5&10 in that location at that point. Richard Roberts came along a few years later.
don’t get old mr incredible…I maybe getting a bit tripped up on the decade. Wasn’t there a men’s clothing store there at some point? I think I’m getting confused because there was a clothing store there before Richard Roberts?
Richard Roberts took the 5 & 10 spot which was next to Robin Hutchins gallery. RR then expanded into Robin's space and she moved up the street for a time
Instead of sharing a third photo of the same dining room well covered already , adding a visual of the food we had, enjoyed all of it, the meatballs deserving special mention, the real standout, heavenly.
Good point mentioned above about parking not being allowed across the street. Not apparent for folks entering in from Boyden and doing the u-turn on Newark Way to park in front of the restaurant. I just went back on Google Maps and the signs (“No parking this side”) are there but further down on Newark Way, by where both sides of the street are residential. But definitely makes sense, by the time we were leaving with the cars parked on both sides there was only enough road space for one car to pass. Parking lot behind the restaurant is definitely a big plus.
I finally ventured to try it. Same great food. We still had to wait for a bit, but now the only thing to look at is the pump company across the street, and we can't run across to Coda for a pre-meal beer. The inside space is clean, well-lit and ventilated and. It's clearly better for the staff -- and revenue -- but the quirky, cramped charm is gone. I'm sure we'll still go, because I can't live without the pizza. But Artie's ain't Arturo's.
I was there on Saturday night at 5 - there was quite a queue. All tables filled up pretty quickly. I'm guessing around 6:30 is when a lot of them start to turnover.
, adding a visual of the food we had, enjoyed all of it, the meatballs deserving special mention, the real standout, heavenly.
It’s a very lively scene here. Lots of folks, lots of families. It’s probably three times bigger than the old joint. The front garage doors are open so it’s very airy and light.
Very chic industrial style.
There are five high top tables seating six. Five 2-tops, five 4-tops and a bench along the wall with about 10 tables that can seat four so they can accommodate larger parties.
There are also five bistro tables for two and each garage door (there are three) has a high top with five bar seats.