Editing Westfield, New Jersey (section)

=== Downtown ===
[[File:2018-06-21 12 27 39 View north along Union County Route 509 (East Broad Street) just north of New Jersey State Route 28 (North Avenue) in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey.jpg|left|280px|thumb|Downtown Westfield in 2018]]Westfield's downtown features many local and national stores and several landmarks that were shown and used in the NBC network television show ''[[Ed (TV series)|Ed]]'' such as the Rialto Theater. There are over 40 restaurants and casual dining establishments throughout the downtown. Downtown is located mostly north of the [[Westfield station (NJ Transit)|Westfield]] train station. The downtown area has a mix of independent stores and boutiques as well as national stores. Over one-third of the retailers and restaurants have existed for 25 years or more.

Downtown Westfield, with over 200 retail establishments and 400 commercial enterprises, is a regional destination in New Jersey. The Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC) manages the Special Improvement District (SID) area's growth and enhancement. The DWC participates in the National Main Street program associated with the [[National Trust for Historic Preservation]]. It is funded by a SID assessment on downtown properties and operates as the district's management agency. The DWC sponsors marketing efforts and promotions, special event planning, urban design and building improvement projects. The DWC works closely with the town government and volunteer groups to improve the downtown area. In 2004, Westfield won the Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust.<ref>[http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/awards/gamsa/2004/westfield-new-jersey.html Westfield, New Jersey: 2004 Great American Main Street Award Winner], [[National Trust for Historic Preservation]], May 10, 2004. Accessed April 17, 2015.</ref> In 2010, Westfield was the winner of the America in Bloom contest for communities with a population of 25,001–50,000 against the other two towns entered in their category.<ref>Lipstein, Andrew. [http://westfield.patch.com/articles/westfield-wins-america-in-bloom "Westfield Wins America in Bloom: Town beats Utah and Indiana communities as best town in population category."], WestfieldPatch, October 4, 2010. Accessed July 10, 2012. "The town received top honors Saturday for population category, beating two other communities during the annual America in Bloom contest.... The town beat out Murray City, Utah and Michigan City, Ind. for the top award in the 25,001 to 50,000 population category. For the landscaping award, the town beat all other communities entered in the competition."</ref> Shopping and dining in Westfield attracts citizens from other communities across the state.

Several war memorials (including ones dedicated to the Korean War, World War II, Spanish–American War, and the Vietnam War) are located in a plaza near the downtown. The plaza is also home to the September 11 Memorial Park, which pays special tribute to the residents of Westfield who died in the [[September 11 terrorist attacks]].<ref>[http://www.westfieldtoday.com/Sept11MemorialPark September 11 Memorial Park Committee], Westfield Today. Accessed November 1, 2014.</ref><ref>[http://www.westfieldtoday.com/devaney Westfield Korean War Memorial], Westfield Today. Accessed November 1, 2014.</ref>

Downtown Westfield hosts events and festivals throughout the year. Throughout the summer, jazz groups perform live, outdoors, every Tuesday night.<ref>[https://westfieldtoday.com/jazzfestival/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=222&Itemid=308 Westfield Today]. Accessed January 9, 2019.</ref> October 2018 saw the first annual AddamsFest, honoring Westfield resident Charles Addams. The festival featured exhibits, lectures, film screenings, and a masquerade ball, among other things.<ref>[https://patch.com/new-jersey/westfield/westfield-host-addamsfest-honoring-charles-addams Westfield Patch]. Accessed January 9, 2019.</ref> Other festivals include the Spring Fling and FestiFall.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.jerseyfamilyfun.com/event/festifall-westfield/ | title=FestiFall in Westfield * ~ }}</ref>

In August 2020, [[Le Tote]] announced that [[Lord & Taylor]], the town's only department store and the chain's only freestanding location in New Jersey, would close as part of a plan to shut down 38 Lord & Taylor store nationwide. Efforts are being made to redevelop the site.<ref>Heapes, Richard. [https://www.tapinto.net/towns/westfield/sections/business-and-finance/articles/an-open-letter-to-the-community-of-westfield-on-redevelopment "An Open Letter to the Community of Westfield on Redevelopment"], TAP into Westfield, December 16, 2020. Accessed December 27, 2020. "As many of you know, one of those businesses, Lord & Taylor, the entity owned and operated by Le Tote, is permanently closing its doors. It’s a difficult pill to swallow for shoppers that have relied upon and enjoyed the store, and for us, the owners of the property and an active member of the Westfield community for more than 30 years."</ref>