Medical Weight Loss in Livingston, NJ

Just Salad is marking a special milestone with its grand opening in Livingston. A series of promotions are planned at the new store.

Patch Staff

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Just Salad is marking a special milestone with their newest store in Livingston: their first-ever drive-thru location.

On Monday, the fast-casual restaurant chain announced the grand opening of their new location at 277 Eisenhower Parkway (unit #150) in The Shoppes at the Livingston Circle. It’s the first of multiple Just Salad drive-thru spots expected to open throughout this year.

According to a news release from the company:

“The drive-thru offers a solution for busy customers seeking quick, delicious meals that align with their health and sustainability values. This format enables Just Salad to attract on-the-go families, commuters, and individuals who prioritize both speed and wellness. Customers will benefit from streamlined ordering directly at the drive-thru window, ensuring speed, accuracy, and seamless pick-up. Just Salad's drive-thru is integrated into a location that also offers dine-in services, providing flexibility for customers who prefer to eat on-site or take their meals to go. The new drive-thru is efficiently designed, still allowing for the daily in-house ingredient preparation that comes with Just Salad’s fresh, high-quality meals.”

Guests will be able to choose from more than 15 chef-designed salads, wraps, warm bowls, soups and smoothies when visiting the new store. Specific menu highlights include Just Salad’s seasonal winter salads, fan-favorite Iconic Salads - the Crispy Chicken Poblano, Thai Chicken Crunch and Tokyo Supergreens.

With Just Salad’s signature Reusable Bowl Program, guests are invited to join the company’s effort to reduce waste by purchasing a bowl in-store and will receive a free salad topping with every reuse, spokespeople said.

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To further incentivize healthy, climate-conscious food choices, Just Salad will be offering the following promotions as part of its Livingston Grand Opening celebration:

“This new location reflects our belief that fast food can be redefined – it can be fresh, it can be sustainable, and it can still be convenient,” said Nick Kenner, founder and CEO.

“This format allows us to serve our guests with added convenience, representing a major step forward in making healthy, delicious food even more accessible,” Kenner said. “It’s an exciting moment for Just Salad as we continue to innovate and rapidly expand into new markets.”

Just Salad was founded in 2006 and has more than 90 locations across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

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This year's theme, "Submerged," revolved around underwater exploration. These Livingston students put in an award-winning showing.

Patch Staff

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Livingston Robotics Club. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The Livingston Robotics Club made waves at this year's FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge competition, where five of their talented teams competed and earned prestigious awards. This year’s theme, SUBMERGED, revolved around underwater exploration, offering a unique challenge for young innovators to develop creative solutions to real-world problems.

In late November, hundreds of teams in NJ competed at FLL regional events held across Northern NJ, all vying for one of the 80 spots to advance to the NJ State Championship in December. Teams showcased their robot design and programming, problem-solving, and teamwork. It was an opportunity for young and aspiring engineers, aged 9 through 14 to demonstrate their skills, perseverance, and passion for robotics.

The Livingston Robotics Club’s teams excelled in multiple areas, earning prestigious awards for their exceptional Robot Performance, Innovation Project, Robot Design, and Core Value, showcasing their technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and unwavering dedication to learning and improvement.

Team “Lighting Bots” took home Champion Award at the Qualifier event and Core Value Award at the NJ State Championship. Their journey was filled with both obstacles and triumphs, but each step brought them closer together as a team and fueled their passion for robotics.

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“The FIRST Lego League competition has taught me not only about robotics, but also how to solve real-world problems,” said Krish Cheema, team member. “We got to learn how to work as a team, and we really bonded as friends. This year’s theme was about deep-sea exploration, and we spoke to many experts who guided us in our research on fish trackers. Winning the Champion's Award was an amazing experience! We had been working for months for this moment, but when we won the award, it was exhilarating and it has really motivated us to keep going!”

At the State Championship, they continued to showcase their skills and creativity, winning the prestigious Core Value Award. This award recognizes a team that best exemplifies the core principles of the competition, demonstrating exceptional teamwork, respect for others, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude, essentially showcasing a strong sense of sportsmanship and collaborative spirit beyond just the robot performance itself.

“Robotics for me is one of the most fun and challenging things I’ve ever done,” said Tamay Metin, a member of the team. “When I first started, I did not know what I was getting myself into or how much work was needed.” Aman Siddhiqui, another team member, added, “Participating and winning at FLL was a very enriching experience. The help and support of our coaches and experts we talked to propelled us to the next level, and helped us reach this far. The competition was a safe, fair, and fun learning experience.”

“It was very exciting at the state companionship because there were so many teams with amazing ideas for all of their innovation projects.” Aatman Sheth, another team member, added, “It was really cool to learn about the products and robots from other teams. I was so exhilarated when we won the Core Value award at the state qualifiers in our first year. This has been a huge accomplishment for us!”

Team "MindStormers", a group of six sixth graders from Livingston, proudly brought home the Best Robotics Design award at the Bound Brook Qualifier and advanced to the NJ State Championship for the second time. Having participated in the FLL Challenge for three years, the team demonstrated their dedication and innovative spirit with a project aimed at preventing sand mining piracy in the ocean. Judges were impressed not only by the design but also by the team's thorough understanding of this critical environmental issue. Their success is fueled by the ongoing support and mentorship from the Livingston Robotics Club, which continues to inspire and guide them in their robotics journey.

Rookie Teams, “Sea Bots” and “Avid Pioneers 107”, comprising of a group of enthusiastic fourth, fifth, and sixth graders, embarked on their first-ever experience at the FLL competition this year. Their journey was filled with challenges, excitement, and immense learning. Despite being newcomers, their dedication to mastering coding, building robots, and researching their project showed remarkable growth. With each weekly meeting, they developed both their technical skills and their teamwork abilities.

For Team “Sea Bots”, the competition day was a mix of anticipation and nerves. "The competition day was so exciting and while we were nervous, we enjoyed every bit of it," shared Nikita Cheema, a proud team member. “Our team came 6th place out of 27 teams in the robot game. I am so happy that I got to be part of this great experience!”

This competition was a true reflection of how far the Sea Bots had come in their journey. Although they had a few things to work on, their focus remained on doing their best, and they were able to bring their vision to life. “I am very happy that our team did very well, from the beginning of the journey of having fun together as a team—playing on the rocks was my favorite,” said Sandesh Bhetwal, another member of the team. “Even though we need to work on small things, we still did our very best, and that is all that matters to me.”

For Team “Avid Pioneers 107”, learning to work together under pressure and meet tight deadlines was a major part of their development. “This competition really taught us how to collaborate and work under pressure. We learned a lot about staying focused and making decisions quickly,” shared one of the team members. The Avid Pioneers quickly realized that FLL was not just about the technical skills of coding and building robots but also about the teamwork required to succeed.

The team faced a range of challenges. But as they worked through these obstacles, they discovered the true value of their FLL journey: the excitement of learning and the thrill of competing. “The Robot Run was especially challenging and fun! It was so exciting to see our robot moving and performing tasks that we worked so hard on,” another team member recalled. The learning process was full of ups and downs, but every step along the way brought them closer to mastering new skills. “What stood out the most was how close we became as a team. The camaraderie between us made all the hard work feel so much more rewarding,” said one of the students. This bond became the defining highlight of their first FLL season.

As the competition came to a close, the Livingston Robotics Club would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the students for their outstanding achievements. Their hard work, creativity, and perseverance truly shine through in everything they've done. A special shoutout goes to the parents, who play an invaluable role as both supporters and coaches, guiding these young innovators through this exciting learning journey.

For more information about the Livingston Robotics Club and upcoming events, visit their website or follow them on social media.

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LIVINGSTON, NJ — The West Essex YMCA, a branch of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, has unveiled plans for its brand-new, state-of-the-art facility to be built at 304 S. Livingston Avenue in Livingston. This ambitious new project will significantly enhance health and wellness opportunities in the community, with an anticipated opening in late 2026.

To celebrate this milestone, the Y is planning a groundbreaking ceremony early this year, with an official date to be announced soon.

The West Essex Y announced in 2021 that it had outgrown its current facility at 321 S. Livingston Avenue and acquired the needed space to build a brand-new YMCA on the roughly six acres of land formerly belonging to Grace Lutheran Church, which is also located on S. Livingston Avenue, within walking distance of the existing Y.

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“This new building will provide members with a more enriching experience and introduce a variety of new amenities designed to foster healthy habits among families,” said Cheryl Tuturice, District Executive Director at West Essex YMCA. “Our commitment is to create a space where everyone can grow and thrive in a supportive environment.”

Enhanced Amenities for Community Wellness

The new Y will be approximately 54,000 square feet — more than double the size of the current facility — and include a number of exciting new amenities that promote the health and wellness of adults, children, and families.

Features include:

According to the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, this project is estimated to cost approximately $32 million with funding from a variety of sources, including corporate and community partners, YMCA members and more.

To learn how to support this project, contact Chief Development Officer Dan Elwell at [email protected] or 973-758-9622 ext. 1120.

About the Y

Established in 1885, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges invests in its diverse communities to promote wellness, safety and quality of life for children, adults and seniors. Its six branches in East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, New Milford, Hardyston and Stillwater are committed to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility through an array of programs. Some 35,000 people belong to the Metro Y, which awards more than $2 million annually in direct and indirect financial assistance.

Editor's Note: This advertorial content is being published by TAPinto.net as a service for its marketing partners. For more information about how to market your business on TAPinto, please email [email protected].

LIVINGSTON, NJ — A state of emergency has been declared in South Jersey ahead of a winter storm on Monday, but Livingston and the rest of North Jersey is only expected to get a light flurry, weather forecasters say.

The latest forecast from the National Weather Service (NWS) has the southernmost tip of the state seeing between 8 and 12 inches of snow. Gov. Phil Murphy has called for a state of emergency in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties. Read More: See The Latest Snow Forecast For NJ

Weather forecasters are predicting a much lighter snowfall for the northern part of the state, however – with less than an inch of snow accumulation expected Monday in Livingston. Sunny skies are expected later in the week.

Here is this week’s forecast for Livingston from the NWS:

Monday: Light snow, mainly before 2pm. High near 31. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. Calm wind becoming north around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

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Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 18. Wind chill values between 5 and 15. Northwest wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 29. Wind chill values between 5 and 15. Blustery, with a northwest wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 19. Wind chill values between 5 and 15. Northwest wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 28. Northwest wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 16.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 28. Blustery.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 35.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.

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"The place looks like the movies where the atomic bomb drops and all of civilization is in ruins," a recent visitor remarked.

Patch Staff

|Updated Thu, Dec 19, 2024 at 3:14 pm ET

LIVINGSTON, NJ — When Fred Miller walks into the Livingston Mall these days, it’s like stumbling onto the set of a post-apocalyptic film, he says.

“The place looks like the movies where the atomic bomb drops and all of civilization is in ruins and the small number of people who are still alive are walking there like depressed zombies,” he recently told Patch.

Miller, a resident of Union Township, isn’t the only one who is lamenting for the glory days of the Livingston Mall, which is located at 112 Eisenhower Parkway. Its decline has become a persistent source of discussion in Essex County, where many residents have been wondering about future plans for the once-bustling shopping center.

“At this point, Livingston Mall is inevitably going to close,” one commenter speculated last year, posting photos on Reddit of a largely empty mall. “It’s past the point of no return,” they added.

The shuttering of some familiar businesses at the mall has even caught the eye of New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson.

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“Send me to the person responsible for that Cinnabon in Livingston Mall closing,” the football star commented on X last month.

Other recent closures at the mall have included Sears, which liquidated its assets there in 2020. The old Sears location saw a temporary resurgence during the coronavirus pandemic as a COVID-19 vaccine center, offering shots for more than a year before shutting down in 2022.

So what’s happening at the Livingston Mall? It’s a complicated question – but an answer is getting closer to revealing itself.

CONDEMING A MALL

Earlier this year, Township Manager Barry Lewis gave a brief update on the ongoing plans for the Livingston Mall area, noting that “there are a lot of moving parts” to the situation.

“We think there's an opportunity now to do a more global reimagining of the entire mall site,” Lewis said.

When the mall came up for discussion at another town council meeting in May, the town manager said the property is privately owned by multiple stakeholders – which made the discussion much more nuanced. Read More: Ownership Boondoggle Is Making Progress Tricky At Livingston Mall

In the past, the entire mall was owned by Simon, the largest such company in the country. Simon eventually sold its interest to Kohan Retail Investment Group, which also owns several other malls throughout the U.S.

Complicating the matter, Sears previously exercised an option within their lease that gave the company control over part of the mall property. When Sears declared bankruptcy, another company – Transformco – purchased its assets, including its interest at the Livingston Mall.

“Within the remaining property, Macy's also has an option that they've indicated they're going to exercise to peel off about 10 acres at the south including their building,” Lewis continued, adding that the parent company of the old Lord & Taylor has roughly 50 years remaining on a ground lease on their piece.

“So it's been quite a challenge to try and get all the stakeholders involved,” he said.

Since then, the town has continued a tug-of-war with the mall’s owners, fining them for alleged code violations – something it continues to do. The mall has also gone into delinquency for its property taxes, officials say.

According to Lewis, the power was shut off at the mall on Oct. 11 due to nonpayment to JCP&L. Its owners subsequently made an arrangement or payment and got the power turned back on, he noted.

“This is the second time that was imminent, and this time it actually went through,” he said at a recent town council meeting.

On Oct. 14, the Livingston Town Council passed a resolution that designates the mall as a condemnation area in need of redevelopment – and authorizes the use of eminent domain.

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“We certainly understand residents’ frustration and we share it,” Lewis commented after the town council took its vote.

The decision got a round of applause from a local resident during public comment, who offered a “kudos to the entire dais.”

“We are condemning the Livingston Mall – that should be sung proudly and loudly for everyone to understand,” he added.

Watch Livingston town manager Barry Lewis speaks about the Livingston Mall during the council meeting on Oct. 14 (video is cued to his comments)

‘FALLING APART’

Just a short drive away in Essex County, another large shopping center – The Mall at Short Hills – has continued to pull in new tenants and expand spaces for existing stores.

It’s a contrast that is puzzling to some local shoppers, who can’t help but draw comparisons between the two. See Related: Tale Of 2 Malls: Frustration In Livingston, New Stores In Short Hills

Some have claimed that its end is nigh for the Livingston Mall.

“That mall is gonna be gone within the next year,” a social media user commented in November. “Went there this summer and half the stores were closed b/c the AC was broken.”

“Livingston Mall is falling apart,” another commenter agreed.

However, other visitors have urged their fellow shoppers to take heart and continue patronizing the mall.

According to a post on X from earlier this month:

“I know there are a lot of rumors about Livingston Mall being completely closed down, but that is not true. I just got my eyebrows done here. While a lot of the stores are empty, the rumors are hurting the ones that are still open.”

Despite the well-wishes from some shoppers, the situation is looking pretty grim at the mall these days, others report.

When Fred Miller visited the mall on Dec. 10, there were just a smattering of stores open: Macy’s, Foot Locker, Lids, Barnes & Noble, Popeyes in the food court – and a few others.

But if you catch things at the right moment – with the right pair of eyes – you can still catch a glimpse of the shopping center’s former glory, he added.

“As I entered through Macy's, it actually looked somewhat normal with some shoppers going about their ways,” Miller recalled. “But when you step out of Macy's and into the mall, then it is like the movies where the atomic bomb dropped.”

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