Ridgewood's pedestrian plazas, outdoor dining are back

Marsha A. Stoltz, NorthJersey.com
·2 min read

RIDGEWOOD — Weekend pedestrian plazas returned to the village on Saturday.

Already a shopper-friendly retail area, East Ridgewood Avenue will be blocked off from South Broad Street to Oak Street on summer weekends to encourage foot traffic and casual dining.

The practice began during COVID to provide germ-wary customers with opportunities for outdoor shopping and dining. However, former Mayor Susan Knudsen called for an end to both street closings and dining corrals last May. She argued that the road closings were not universally beneficial to merchants, and the corrals were languishing as customers resumed indoor dining.

However, Mayor Paul Vagianos called for both to resume, at his swearing-in ceremony in January, contending they provided the village with a still-needed boost Saturdays and Sundays through October.

"We are so excited to bring back the Pedestrian Plaza," Vagianos said Friday. "The restaurants and shops will be outside along with live music, entertainers, rides for the kids, magic shows and so much more. Come play with us in the street. It’s gonna be a great summer."

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Nayva Chia hands out Columbian flags at the Ridgewood Pedestrian Plaza on Saturday, June 3, 2023. The plaza will be closed to automobiles on Saturdays and Sundays through October of 2023.
Nayva Chia hands out Columbian flags at the Ridgewood Pedestrian Plaza on Saturday, June 3, 2023. The plaza will be closed to automobiles on Saturdays and Sundays through October of 2023.

The first weekend's agenda included:

  • 8 to 9 a.m. yoga in Van Neste Square.

  • 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. children's arts and crafts on the Main Stage between Oak and Walnut.

  • 1 p.m. ribbon-cutting at the Main Stage.

  • 1:30 to 3 p.m. Viva Vallenato! Cumbia Band and Peruvian Dancers at East Ridgewood Avenue and Walnut.

  • 3:30 p.m. Great Linguini Magic Show, Bow Tie Cinema, 190 E. Ridgewood Ave.

  • 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Jose Elias Project Live Music in Van Neste Square between Oak and Walnut.

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Retailers outside the plaza zone will be allowed to set up displays in the pedestrian area. Off-street parking is available at the village's Hudson Street Garage, at 21 S. Broad St.

Future weeks' highlights will be posted on Facebook at Destination Ridgewood.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Ridgewood's pedestrian plazas, outdoor dining are back