WESTWOOD—The historic Five Corners Building marked its grand re-opening on a bright Saturday, Oct. 19 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, revitalizing one of the most cherished landmarks in the heart of Westwood.
The event brought together Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo—his ceremonial oversized ribbon-cutting shears at the ready—members of the Borough Council; Roger Gross, president of Paramus-based NIA National Realty and owner of The Five Corners Building; and the enthusiastic shop owners who have infused this newly renovated space with fresh energy and community spirit
Also in attendance was State Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-39), who has an office in the borough and joined the celebration in support of local businesses. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5) sent along the U.S. House of Representatives’ congratulations to the borough.
Adding to the excitement, a contingent of Junior Cardinal Cheerleaders wowed the crowd with a lively routine. Happy supporters thronged the sidewalk and pressed back to parked cars, and sometimes into the street, to capture wide-angle photos of the action
A Historic Building Restored to Glory
The grand re-opening marks the culmination of extensive renovations to the Five Corners Building, which was constructed before 1927 and is known for its distinctive Flemish architectural style. Over the past year, Gross has led restoration efforts, ensuring that the 13,000-square-foot building’s historic charm was preserved while modernizing it for a new generation of retailers. “We’ve carefully preserved and honored its original design while bringing in new features that make it a modern hub for the community,” Gross said during the ceremony.
Gross played a central role in planning the event and revitalizing the space. His vision was not only to restore the building but also to make it a home for impressive, independent retailers, restaurants, and businesses that would further the viability of small business in Westwood and Bergen County. “It was important for me to preserve this historic structure and support small businesses. I didn’t want to sell the building to a corporate store that would knock it down and we’d lose that hometown feeling,” Gross said.
He told Pascack Press, “The day was terrific! This restoration was a long time coming. Finally being able to make this dramatic improvement to the East’s ‘Gateway to Westwood’ will surely have a positive and lasting effect on all visitors the our dramatically improved and now vibrant downtown.:
Arroyo posted, “From Five Corners to Five Dimes [Brewery]” — where the old L.N. Grand 5 & 10 Cent Store used to stand, nearby — “Westwood continues to thrive. The Hub is Ground Zero for a soft landing!”
Indeed, the renovated Five Corners Building is now home to a diverse mix of businesses. Gross’s dedication to bringing in noteworthy entrepreneurs — fronting both Westwood Avenue and Kinderkamack Road — is evident in the lineup:
- The Good Life Gift Boutique
Location: 271 Westwood Ave.
Phone: 201-497-3162
Owner: Nancy Norton
Website: www.thegoodlifeboutique.com
Specializing in women’s apparel, curated gifts, and home decor, this boutique offers hand-selected, unique items designed to inspire and uplift. Previously located on Long Beach Island, owner Nancy Norton brings a background in marketing and retail to offer a whimsical and inspirational shopping experience. - Collected Works
Location: 273 Westwood Ave.
Focused on home decor, Collected Works brings globally sourced, one-of-a-kind, luxury items to Westwood. Known for its seasonal offerings and unique gift wrapping, the store combines the owner’s years of experience in boutique hotel design with affordable, distinct items for the home. - Maxine’s Bake Shop
Location: 277 Westwood Ave.
Owners: Clément & Abby Fourmont
A French-American bakery offering exquisite pastries, viennoiseries, and specialty coffee. Owned by acclaimed pastry chefs Clément and Abby, Maxine’s is a dream come true, blending their love for French and American baking with a touch of magic. - Stack Creamery
Location: 287 Westwood Ave.
Phone: 201-722-4780
Website: www.stackcreamery.com
Specializing in custom ice cream sandwiches, Stack Creamery lets you mix and match cookies and ice cream flavors to create your ultimate dessert. Known for its fun, personalized approach to indulgence, Stack Creamery offers a sweet experience tailored to each customer. - Supp Hub
Location: 289 Westwood Ave.
Owners: Joe Bosco & Burt McCarroll
Website: www.supphubfitness.com
A local supplement store offering fitness and wellness products, including protein powders and vitamins. Founded by lifelong fitness enthusiasts, Supp Hub provides expert advice and a welcoming environment for health-conscious customers at all levels. - Craft Taco Company
Location: 383 Kinderkamack Road
Phone: 201-383-0043
Owner: Michael Merida
Website: www.crafttacocompany.com
Chef Michael Merida reimagines tacos with globally inspired flavors. A winner of Beat Bobby Flay, and operator of Rockin’ Roots in Hillsdale (among so many other of his delicious enterprises) Merida brings his culinary expertise to Craft Taco Co.—at the very corner of Westwood and Kinderkamack—offering innovative street fare with local freshness.
Supporting the Local Economy
To Gross and other stakeholders, Five Corners represents more than a place to shop—bookending Westwood Avenue with the historic train station and Veterans Park at the head of the Central Business District—they play an important role in Westwood’s local economy, creating jobs and drawing visitors from surrounding areas. With the addition of new retailers and revitalized storefronts, the shoppes, says Gross, are set to be a driving force in the economic growth of Westwood and indeed Bergen County.
For shop owners such as Joe Bosco and Burt McCarroll, founders of Supp Hub, the opportunity to be part of this community-driven project is invaluable. “We’ve been locals all our lives, and we started Supp Hub to provide the best in fitness and wellness supplements while offering expert guidance,” McCarroll said. “Being part of Five Corners is a great way to connect with our neighbors and help people meet their health goals.”
A Celebration of Community Spirit
The grand re-opening wasn’t just about cutting the ribbon—it was a full day of celebration for the Westwood community. Guests enjoyed sidewalk chalk art, a bit of the bubbly, and special promotions from the shoppes. Local groups also benefitted from fundraising efforts.
In addition to the activities, explored a range of special offers and promotions from the new shops. Stack Creamery wowed the crowd with their customizable ice cream sandwiches, letting visitors mix and match cookies and ice cream flavors for a one-of-a-kind dessert experience. “At Stack, we’re all about creating the perfect treat, and it was amazing to see so many people enjoying themselves today,” said the team.
For more information about Five Corners and upcoming events, visit www.celebratewestwood.org.