By Linda Morgan

How many of us succumb to the thrill of pressing the “Buy Now” button, knowing a package will arrive less than 24 hours later, or food will be at our door, without our ever having to leave home or change out of robe and slippers? Despite the convenience, online purchasing robs customers of the satisfaction of window-shopping on city streets, conversing with store owners, and connecting with other humans as we shop or share a meal.  

As Amazon boxes pile up in residential lobbies, grocery lockers, and on front stoops, and work-from-home lunches and food delivery services take the place of dining in restaurants, the impact on Newark’s retail has been significant. Newarkers have witnessed the demise of beloved establishments such as Washington Florist, Dan’s Hats & Caps, Newark Art Supply, Je’s Soul Food, 27 Mix, Iberia, Kilkenny’s, Harvest Table, and Priory Jazz Club, to name a few. Reasons for these closings vary, from higher food and labor costs, death of a founder, or lack of family interest in carrying on the business. Despite these losses, Newark benefits from legacy retailers that remain in the city, helping the local economy thrive. 

Legacy retailers are independently owned stores that have operated for at least a decade and employ 10 or fewer staff members. These businesses face a host of challenges, especially in the wake of the Covid pandemic, and yet several of these long-time retailers have stood the test of time, in some cases for over 150 years!  

Their historic interiors often feature pressed-tin ceilings, framed photos of celebrity patrons hanging on the walls, the smell of roasting coffee wafting from a back room. Auras of these establishments delight our senses far beyond what a cardboard box and plastic-wrapped package can deliver. Pickles and pastrami, fresh-baked bread, the tinkle of a bell when the shop door opens—Newark’s legacy retailers, some of whom began their businesses with a pushcart on the street—have been bringing joy to Newark customers for generations. They also make a habit of giving back to community, contributing to a host of local charities and causes.

Here are just a few standouts that deserve our praise and patronage:

Fifth-generation T.M. Ward Coffee has been importing and roasting coffee beans, selling coffee, nuts, and confections in Newark since 1869; 156 years. Fair Trade–certified, the company sources fine coffee and teas from micro and larger farms in 30 countries. T.M. Ward grinds, bags, and delivers coffee to many local businesses. It’s a great place to connect with colleagues from City Hall, Symphony Hall, the courthouses, and nearby residences. Help yourself to a piping cup of the day’s blend, grab a container of dusted cocoa almonds, and make a list of the custom coffee, dried fruit, nut, and candy baskets you’ll order this holiday season for friends and family. [944 Broad Street/www.tmwardcoffee.com]

Fourth-generation Nasto’s Ice Cream Co., Old World Desserts is an Ironbound favorite that has been churning out delicious ice cream and Italian specialty desserts since 1939. Frank Nasto and his wife Jennifer greet customers with a smile, offering a taste of the season’s flavors: caramel apple pie; holy cannoli; and pastel del nata. Current owners Frank and brother Dean Nasto’s grandfather started the business with a lemon ice truck, eventually moving operations to the family’s kitchen, above which the parents and nine brothers and sisters slept. The original family home today houses the ice cream plant and store, offering specialties such as spumoni, tartufo, fresh fruit sorbets, and cakes. Nasto’s proudly carries on the family tradition into the fourth generation as Frank’s two daughters are opening a new store in Woodbridge this year. [236 Jefferson Street/www.nastosicecream.com]

People might think of Krug’s Tavern as an Ironbound dive bar, yet it holds the distinct honor of winning best burger in Northern NJ for several years. Founded by the Krug family in 1936 at the end of Prohibition, and currently operated by the LaMotta family for four generations, this neighborhood watering hole proudly served Newark cops, firemen, and longshoremen. Today the tavern continues to offer seafood, burgers, pasta, and drinks to satisfy hungry neighbors and friends. [118 Wilson Avenue/ www.krugstavernnj.com]

Halsey Fabrics, in business for over sixty-five years, is the destination of choice for serious seamsters, fashion designers, upholsterers, and folks who want to sew a project of any kind. Third-generation owner Michael Janoff is carrying on the tradition of his father, who in the late 1950s decided to leave the carpentry trade and open a fabric store downtown. Back in the day when home economics classes included sewing clothes, curtains, and uniforms for school, the store was a thriving hub. Despite today’s ease in ordering fast fashion online, Halsey Fabric is riding the wave of a crafting comeback that evolved during the pandemic, supplying materials needed to sew outfits for any occasion. [91 Halsey Street, www.halseynwk.com]

Downtown’s favorite Irish pub, McGovern’s Tavern, has been pouring Guinness since Frank McGovern came from Ireland and opened the bar in 1936. This authentic watering hole is Newark’s “Cheers”; where attorneys, law students, firemen, and neighbors meet to catch up over a pint and a burger. Third-generation McGoverns and Nagles’ families, with a Hamilton at the bar, continue the tradition of serving up good food and conversation, as well as proudly representing their heritage as the official celebration headquarters of St. Patrick’s Day parade-goers. [58–60 New Street/www.mcgovernstavern.com]

Rated a top-ten delicatessen in America, featured in the movies Deli Man and The Many Saints of Newark, Hobby’s Delicatessen & Restaurant has been feeding hungry Newarkers for over 100 years. Brothers Marc and Michael Brummer hold court at lunchtime with diners who stroll over from nearby courthouses, corporations, and construction sites to dig into huge sandwiches, platters, knishes, salads, homemade soups, and desserts. Sample a briny pickle or tomato from the metal bowl on your table, pour a Cel-Ray soda, and take a big bite of a delicious pastrami sandwich—you’ll want to bring home leftovers, and place an order for takeout before you go. [32 Branford Place/www.hobbysdeli.com]

Source of Knowledge Bookstore has functioned as a community center for Black art, culture, and literature in downtown Newark since 1992. This through-block bookstore, recently the book supplier for the Dodge Poetry Festival at NJPAC, offers readings, meetings, and community block parties on Treat Place in warmer weather. The extensive selection of Black literature, along with African clothing, art, baskets, and jewelry, is the perfect place to buy a gift, as well as introduce young people to cultural literary treasures. Owner Dexter George, along with Patrice and Masani, welcome visitors to browse titles and come back for a poetry reading or book club meeting. [867 Broad Street/www.sourceofknowledgebookstore.com]

Luciano Calandra, Sr. emigrated from Italy and in opened Calandra’s Bakery, an Italian and French bakery in Newark’s North Ward in 1962. Tourists make a special trip to buy crusty loaves of French and Italian breads, cannolis, cheesecake, coconut custard and pecan pies, elephant ears, cakes, and other sweet delights. This successful bakery serves over 300 customers per day and has expanded to multiple locations in northern New Jersey. Calandra’s is a great place to buy a custom cake for every celebration. (204 1st Avenue, www.calandrasbakery.com)

Some may say it’s the nature of a city to experience ever-changing retail; however, frequent turnover of stores threatens community stability. When a store closes, it takes away local jobs, disrupts service to the market, and breaks ties ownership may have had in contributing to civic causes. Several businesses mentioned above continued to pay the salaries of their local workforce during the pandemic, despite having to close their doors for months. A GoFundMe campaign mounted by one of the stores during the pandemic received donations from 1,200 patrons, inspiring the owner to hang in there. These long-term businesses are supporting youth hockey programs, university sports teams, young readers, and first responders in Newark.  

The best way to keep retailers alive in Newark is to walk the streets, visit the stores, shop, and dine locally. Organizations such as the Newark Alliance, Invest Newark, and Newark Downtown District make a point of advertising new businesses on social media as they come on line. Another great way to support small businesses is to sign up for a walking tour or bar crawl with “Have You Met Newark,” a local tour company operating since 2012. On your trek about town, don’t forget to stop in to say hi to the owners who’ve been here for decades. Legacy retailers remain the bedrock of our community.

Linda P. Morgan is an urban planner who has contributed to Newark and New York City’s economic development over the course of her career, creating the Newark Downtown District, working in brownfields development, the arts, and social impact real estate development. She founded the Montclair chapter of Women Who Write, and her stories and poems have been published in Goldfinch and other NJ publications. She is also writing the second edition of the book, 100 Things to Do in Newark Before You Die, due out in 2026. For the Newarker, Linda profiles the people, places and institutions that continue to make the city a dynamic destination for food, culture and economic growth.

All onsite photos by Linda Morgan.

Featured Image: Kris Charlery, a multidisciplinary artist and photographer based in New Jersey whose work explores the intersections of community, environment, and memory. Her recent project, The Anderson Project, was featured in the 2024 Newark Arts Festival and supported by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts as a 2024 Grant Finalist. Through portraiture and storytelling, Charlery documents the people and places. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestargardenstudios/ Website: https://krischarlery.photoshelter.com/index/G0000jeeFuazsMWE