Essex County's first Sonic Drive-In location will hold a grand opening celebration today. The restaurant is located on Springfield Avenue in Newark at the intersection of Court Street, near the City National Bank branch. Over 100 residents will work at the new Sonic, which is owned by Anthony and Justin Marchigiano. Several local leaders, including Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Council President Mildred Crump, Council Member Gayle Chaneyfield-Jenkins, and Newark Housing Authority Executive Director Keith Kinard will cut the ribbon this afternoon at 12pm. According to a press release, "the restaurant will add to the wave of economic development for the Springfield Avenue neighborhood by providing jobs and services within walking distance of area residents and other thriving businesses, such as Applebee’s and Home Depot". A ShopRite supermarket will also open soon on Springfield Avenue.
A new hotel will open soon in Downtown Newark. Hotel Indigo is expected to open in the fall, and will be New Jersey's second location of the hotel chain. The 108 room hotel will be located in the former First National State Bank building at 810 Broad Street at the corner of Edison Place. The building was constructed in 1912, and was recently renovated. A variety of positions are available at the hotel, including servers and sous chefs for the restaurant, clerks for the front desks, and several managerial roles.
"As a boutique hotel, Indigo will attract visitors to the area who hopefully will explore downtown Newark", said Ramona Thompson of the Newark Downtown District. "There are many things for someone to do downtown such as NJPAC, Prudential Center, newark Museum, Symphony Hall, New Jersey Historic Society, Military Park, shopping, and exploration of the architecture of the historic buildings".
The Newark History Society and the Newark branch of the NAACP will sponsor a panel called "Much Has Changed. Much Has Not." as part of the Newark NAACP's 100th anniversary celebration. The panel will take place at the New Jersey Historical Society on Monday, September 29 and 6pm. Newark NAACP president Deborah Smith Gregory will be the moderator. Panelists include Richard Cammarieri of New Community Corporation, Essex County Deputy Chief of Staff William D. Payne, former Newark NAACP president Sally Carroll, and Newark NAACP vice president Kathleen Turpin Merritt. Those interested in attending should RSVP to newarkhistorysociety@verizon.com or 973-376-8273 by September 25. Light refreshments will be reserved.The New Jersey Historical Society is located across from Military Park at 52 Park Place, next to WBGO-FM.
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