Morris County’s unique downtowns

There’s something special about a town that has a Main Street or a downtown, and Morris County has some of the best.

The county’s downtowns each have their own unique feel: Boonton is a hilly enclave of shops and restaurants; Chester’s harkens back to its days as a center for a farming community; Morristown has history plus a bustling nightlife; Denville exudes family friendliness; Dover has antiques and ethnic food; Madison has an upscale feel while Morris Plains, Netcong, Rockaway and Wharton feel like the old-time town centers where people run into their neighbors while having a cup of coffee or getting a haircut.

The following is a look at just a few of the downtowns and what’s going on there in coming months.

Boonton

According to Boonton Main Street Executive Director Chris Manzella, Boonton is Morris County’s best kept secret, with 86 businesses and restaurants on about a mile stretch of roadway.

“It’s a small town, but there’s so much here,” Manzella said. “Dine, drink, soak in all that we have to offer.”

The Main Street group has almost weekly events, including a popular farmers market from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday through Nov. 22, featuring live music and artisan vendors.

The following weekend kicks off the holiday season on Main Street with the popular parade, coinciding with Small Business Saturday, where retailers will offer classes and demonstrations for shoppers.

A great time to visit is on the first Friday of every month, when businesses stay open late for a monthly themed celebration. October is “Booonton,” encouraging people to dress up as zombies to receive promotions at stores. November is a “thank you” to the town’s hundreds of veterans, and December brings back the popular Chocolate Stroll.

But what truly makes Boonton stand out is its commitment to the arts.

In the summer, Boonton Arts has local artists decorate fiberglass dogs that line the streets for the annual Dog Daze. The group does a similar event with Christmas trees during the holidays.

With art studios and galleries on nearly every corner of Main Street - from Iconic Images to Counter Culture and YYY Fine Art Studio – Manzella recommends starting a Boonton evening admiring the local art and artisan products.

“Start at the top of the street and go to Times Tin Cup, Tyndale Collection, Quality Consignments, Black River Gallery, Speakeasy Art Gallery, Broadfoot and Broadfoot, the list goes on,” Manzella said. “Eventually I’ll stop for dinner and choose between an abundance of cultural options. There’s Latin American, Maizbon, and my night ends at Scoop House for ice cream or Heavenly Temptations for some coffee.”

For a late night show Manzella recommends checking out the newly opened record shop and concert venue BoonTunes, for live music and a drink heading to Maxfield’s on Main or for a sports bar atmosphere swinging by Sharky’s.

Chester

Historic downtown Chester is a big draw for crafts enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

“We’ve got between 80 and 100 shops and eateries in the downtown area, a variety of stores from gift shops, ice cream, antiques, crafts and, of course, candy,” said Steve Jones of the Historic Chester Business Association and owner of Black River Candy Shoppe on Main Street.

“And then there’s more than half a dozen eateries including pizza, Italian delis, subs, Mexican food and the Publick House where you can go for drink. You put these all together within walking distance, and you have a lot at your disposal.”

Jones says many are drawn to about half a dozen anchor stores in town, which include Pleasant Pools and Patio, Chester Crafts Collectibles & Antiques, World of Birds and Jones’ own Black River Candy Shoppe.

People then branch out to see the dozens of other shops in town from there, Jones said.

The Main Street area is also home to a number of popular downtown events, including the Annual Harvest Celebration, car shows and the Spring and Fall Craft Shows.

A free courtesy shuttle runs between nearby Alstede Farms and the heart of downtown Chester every 15 minutes between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

For history buffs, check out http://www.ilovechester.com/ to see all the town has to offer.

Morristown

You can’t beat Morristown for dinner and a show. The Mayo Performing Arts Center on South Street attracts top talent, and there are dozens of restaurants within walking distance of the venue.

The center of town, the Morristown Green is regularly home to free entertainment, from the popular Jazz and Blues Festival to Music Beyond Borders, a lunchtime concert series sponsored by Morris Arts.

A few of the many popular spots include Roots, Urban Table, Millie’s Old World, the Famished Frog and the Office.

For nightlife, the list includes Sona 13, Dark Horse Lounge, Iron Bar, Grasshopper Off the Green, and Hops all a short walk – or in some cases a few steps – away from one another.

Dover

Antiques and international cuisine make Dover a stand-out in the county.

While popular spots include pub fare, the Quiet Man, and Italian, Charlotte’s Web, Dover’s Blackwell Street near the train station features a number of Latin options. Options range from Colombian, Sabor Latino, to Peruvian, El Mariano, and Mexican restaurants, including Azteca and El Tapatio.

The Dover Antique Center features a huge selection of vintage clothes, furniture, toys and more, making it a must-stop for collectors.

For high-end items, Dover Jewelry and Antiques features antique and estate bracelets, rings, necklaces and much more.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com