Last week, the Borough's Sustainability Partners led by The Green Team - The Garden Club, Incredible Edible Merchantville, Shade Tree Commission and the MES Junior Green Team & Garden Club - completed their initial re-application for for bronze re-certification from Sustainable Jersey. They each updated actions completed over the last two years and choose some new municipal actions they plan to complete this year. The Green Team is interested in developing a Creative Team with the Borough this year, Incredible Edible has submitted three (3) Innovative Projects: first, becoming a HUB for Stockton University's Maple Tree Project to promote maple sugaring in NJ; second, taking our message to school-aged children to encourage schools to become living learning landscapes so that food and where it comes from become part of every child’s education; and third, researching whether using clover seeding will maximize the potential of our public green spaces by providing water efficient landscapes, bringing nutrients to the soil and making lawns more hospitable to pollinators. The Borough is working on public information and engagement strategies and health initiatives. Thank you to all who have volunteered and participated in this recertification cycle - hoping to add enough points for SILVER Certification in 2023!

YUM! Freelance writer, Marilyn Johnson, South Jersey Food Scene, shared news today that Pennsauken resident, Eddie Davilla, will be opening Da’Villa's Crème & Cookies at 21 S. Centre Street, former location of Cat’s Creations Bakery, on Friday, April 21st. The new parlor will be churning out scoops of ice cream, gelato, cookies, ice cream sandwiches, milkshakes, and banana splits - a great opportunity to indulge your guilty pleasures. “We are bringing a new look and flavors to Merchantville,” Eddie Davilla told South Jersey Food Scene. They will have live music and giveaways during their grand opening. Stay in touch on Shop Merchantville for updates!

The Borough is pleased to announce the next steps toward redevelopment plans in the triangle area located between Chestnut and Park Aves. These improvements are possible through funding awarded to Merchantville through a Transportation Alternatives Grant. The goal of the Transportation Alternatives Program is to provide federal funds for community-based “non-traditional” projects designed to strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, and environmental aspects of the nation’s intermodal system. The renderings, presented by CME Engineering Associates at the February 13th Borough Council meeting, illustrate the incredible change planned for the area. Project goals include p roviding pedestrian facilities downtown to promote foot traffic, improving pedestrian facilities and roadway crossings and, c reating a comfortable downtown area with seating, lighting, and landscaping. View the PowerPoint here.

Ray Woods has joined Tonio Burgos & Associates (TBA) New Jersey, as Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs. Woods will develop and implement government outreach and advocacy strategies to advance client interests and project development. Ray brings over a decade of state and local government experience and is a member of the Merchantville Borough Council. He serves on a number of committees including: the Joint Land Use Board; Shade Tree Commission; Public Safety Committee; Public Works Committee; Sustainability & Environment Committee; Insurance Committee; Police Board; and Director of Recycling & Waste. Formerly, Woods served as the Director of Policy to Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald and Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt and played an integral role in the development of numerous transformative policies.

Merchantville’s restaurant scene is about to get a big boost as Omega's readies to open. Former McFarlan’s Chef, Omega Ellis, is slated to open the doors this spring to a new American restaurant in the McFarlan's Market, the former specialty grocery shop at the corner of East Park and North Centre Streets in the borough. Residents, who have been patiently awaiting this good news, have noticed recent facade changes - new awnings and signage - look forward to dining there soon! Follow updates here.

Mark your calendars! Planning for the 2023 Merchantville Monster Crafts & Fine Art Festival is already under way. The 2nd Annual Merchantville Monster Crafts & Fine Art Festival is returning to the charming town of Merchantville, NJ to kick-off the wildly popular month-long town Halloween celebration when Merchantville transforms to "Monsterville!" Join us on October 7th & 8th from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. as we fill the streets with juried craft and fine artists from the tri-state area offering wearable art, pottery, blown and stained glass, fine and fashion jewelry, garden and home decor, soaps, scents, pet gifts plus…captivating fine art and decorative fine photography.  New this year will be ”Antique/Vintage on North Centre”- a destination sure to excite shoppers who appreciate carefully selected quality antiques and vintage goods. Returning for his second year is Mike Ivankovich, radio personality from WBCB 1490 AM  "What's It Worth?" who will present a popular antique “roadshow” opportunity on Saturday, October 7th. Visit www.merchmcfaf.com for more details and to complete an application for your space today! 

Congratulations to our Merchantville Lady Knights Basketball Team winners of the 2022-23 Camden County Girls Basketball League! The Knights went 20-1 this season going into the semi-finals and championship game as the number one seed. These girls in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, were well coached by Ivory Pardo and his assistant, Kiyana, and worked very hard this season - and it payed off! They had a solid win 62-36 in the semis against the Somerdale Cavaliers then, a close game in the championship against the Berlin Lions. The score was locked at 15-14 (Knights) at half time but, the Lady Knights fought hard to the end and won 35-27. Together they all played as a team and showed great sportsmanship, leadership, and fun. These girls had a lot of grit and represented Merchantville in an amazing way. Way to go Knights!