BY SUSAN MCTIGUE
CORRESPONDENT
CLOSTER, N.J. –– When the original Closter Plaza opened in the 1960s, the shopping mall was a welcome addition to this suburban
community. But the years took a heavy toll until Edens, a national mall developer, purchased the property in 2015 and transformed the crumbling group of remaining stores and parking lots into a
shining mecca for shopping and entertainment.
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The Closter Plaza sign that stood at the mall’s entrance was beloved by generations of Closterites. A group of residents, supported by the Closter Historic Preservation Commission, recognized that the “Dancing Diamonds” sign was emblematic of mid-century modern design and must be saved. They convinced Edens that the sign should not meet a wrecking ball when most of the plaza was leveled for the new construction.
Not only did Edens copy the font and color used in the original sign to design its striking new sidewalk-level one, but the developer also tried to restore the old sign that soared above the entrance. When it became clear that its deterioration was too far gone, a new copy was created.
In the meantime, the Bergen County Historic Preservation Board honored the sign by awarding it historic designation status, noting that it reflected the boom years of growth after World War II, and used simple shapes and clean lines of that period’s art and design.
On the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 21, the new Closter Plaza sign was dedicated in a lighting ceremony attended by scores of residents, local officials, historic preservationists and representatives from Edens.
“If we don’t save our history from one generation to another, we lose the specialness that every town has,” said Historic Preservation Commission Member Joel Zelnik.
David Germakian, Edens’ vice president and project manager, grew up in the area and felt that he was “lucky to have the opportunity to re-invigorate Closter.”
Closter’s Mayor John Glidden was very pleased to welcome the new sign and spoke of the community’s involvement in saving the image.
Closter Historic Preservation Commission President Tim Adriance traced the borough’s history beginning in 1710 as a wilderness community that grew with the advent of the railroad coming to town. By the time the Closter Plaza sign was installed, he said “we were living in an age of the Jetsons and the Space Age, where new angular architecture was the norm. This sign is an iconic example of the mid-20th century period.”
Many older residents expressed their wish that the original sign could have been restored, but admitted that the new sign was a faithful reproduction and had the same essence. They noted that the 1950 Lustron House that is undergoing restoration on Legion Place will be another mid-century modern gem in the borough’s borders.
Following the lighting ceremony, everyone was invited to Rudy’s Restaurant and Pizzeria for refreshments. Rudy’s opened in Closter Plaza in 1960 and was purchased by brothers Fred and Charlie Osso in 1970.
The business managed to survive both boom and bust years in the Plaza, and now is one of the shopping center’s most popular destinations. The new sign, they say, is cause for celebration.
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