1.    Kimaya Kama

Website: https://kimaya.mybigcommerce.com/

A beloved Maplewood Village boutique offering curated gifts, jewelry, clothing, and global artisan goods. The shop is known for its unique collection of self-care items, home goods, and thoughtful gifts.

2.    Perch Home & Company

Website: https://www.perchhome.com

A stylish lifestyle boutique and café in Maplewood offering home décor, gifts, and a brunch café experience. It’s a popular destination for shopping, coffee, and community gatherings.

3.    Kitchen a la Mode

Website: https://kitchenalamode.com

A specialty kitchen store offering cookware, gadgets, and cooking classes. The shop serves home cooks and culinary enthusiasts across the Maplewood–South Orange community.

4.   Sparkhouse Toys

Website: https://sparkhouse.net

A creative toy store focused on educational toys, imagination, and play-based learning for children of all ages.

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5.    Words Bookstore

Website: https://wordsbookstore.com

An independent bookstore that supports literacy, author events, and the local arts community in Maplewood and South Orange.

The Lydia Johnson Dance School offers a warm and creative environment where young dancers build confidence, skill, and artistic expression. Students have the unique opportunity to learn from acclaimed choreographer Lydia Johnson and her professional dancers. Proudly rooted in the South Orange–Maplewood community, the school inspires the next generation through joyful dance education and creativity.

Maplewood, NJ — Today, the Maplewood community proudly marks International Women’s Day, honoring the vital impact and achievements of women locally and around the world.

In every corner of Maplewood, women are the driving force behind thriving businesses, outstanding schools, and community organizations.

Entrepreneurs, educators, volunteers, and mothers all play a key role in shaping the vibrant and welcoming spirit of our town.

Each day, their dedication inspires young leaders, strengthens our economy, and reinforces the fabric of community life.

This day is also a powerful reminder to uplift women’s leadership, foster equal opportunities, and support their success in every field.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate the women who make Maplewood stronger, more creative, and more united, today and every day.

South Orange’s Tuxedo Park will host a special screening of the documentary Free Joan Little on Wednesday, March 18 at 7:30 PM.

The event includes an in-person discussion with Yoruba Richen, the Peabody Award-winning director.

Free Joan Little explores the case of Joan Little, a 20-year-old Black woman who, in 1974 North Carolina, became the first U.S. woman acquitted for killing in self-defense against sexual assault in jail.

Her landmark trial sparked national activism among civil rights and feminist groups, resulting in acquittal in 1975.

Richen’s film links Little’s fight for justice to modern issues like mass incarceration and sexual violence behind bars.

The screening, organized by the Tuxedo Park Diversity & Inclusion Committee, invites community reflection on these urgent themes.

Seating is limited; RSVP and a $5–$25 suggested donation support future programming.

"The best way to predict your future is to create it."

Why did the Maplewood Shout Outs page go to therapy?

Because it had too many issues!

☀️ Warm start to the week – Temperatures climb into the 70s, giving Maplewood a brief taste of spring.
🌧️ Rain arrives Thursday – Expect showers and gusty winds.
☁️ Cooler Friday – Temperatures drop back into the 40s.
🌤️ Pleasant weekend – A mix of sun and clouds with highs around 49–52°F.

Use emojis and GIFs in your shout out message to make it more engaging and eye-catching!

🌟🎉🥳

The Maplewood Memorial Library will host its 12th annual Ideas Festival March 12–28, celebrating for the first time in its newly renovated $24 million space.

This year’s festival champions the local spirit, featuring renowned authors, artists, and civic leaders, and remains free and open to all.

Highlights include Olympian Hazel Clark sharing her new children’s book and a hands-on graphic novel workshop with illustrator Jay Cooper.

Oscar-winning costume designer Ann Roth will join Maplewood’s Jane Musky for an evening dialogue, while New York Times Book Review Editor Gilbert Cruz discusses the world of books.

A special documentary screening on the fight for intellectual freedom, lively panel discussions, and a Women’s History Month concert also fill the calendar.

The festival concludes with the Maplewood Literary Award honoring Bruce Eric Kaplan, acclaimed for his contributions to television and literature.

The Ideas Festival continues to shape Maplewood’s cultural landscape, inviting everyone to connect, learn, and celebrate local creativity.