The eastern end of Springfield Avenue is getting hotter.
The Avalon Bay 235-unit housing development at the corner of Boyden Avenue is rising fast. Nearby, the brand-new Maplewood Diner will re-open soon, and Wawa is on the horizon.
Adenah Bayoh, owner of Cornbread, coming to Springfield Ave. this fall.
Add to that impressive streak of development Cornbread, a new restaurant opening this fall to the former B. Hathaway’s spot near Boyden Ave. (1565 Springfield Ave.) Cornbread will fuse early American soul food cuisine with West African and Caribbean flavor influences using farm-to-table ingredients, according to owner/developer Adenah Bayoh.
“The restaurant will pay homage to my cross-cultural heritage,” said Bayoh in an email. “I wanted to establish a place where people who love authentic comfort food can come and know that their meals are made with the highest level of integrity and sustainability. We will source our meat, fish, and produce from small-production, family owned farms including those that participate in Maplewood’s Farmers Market. We want to cultivate a true ‘farm to soul’ experience for the Maplewood community.”
Bayoh has taken notice of the resurgence of Springfield Avenue, and she wanted to be a part of it.
“I was already acquainted with Maplewood as a developer and I have relatives that reside there, so I’m very familiar with the area and I’m a big fan of their unique and progressive culture,” she said. “It’s a vibrant and diverse place that really reflects the values that we’re working hard to establish at Cornbread.”
Bayoh believes the location is an ideal spot for a restaurant that will have a strong connection to the local community.
“We are thrilled to have Cornbread coming to Springfield Avenue,” said Julie Doran, director of the Springfield Avenue Partnership. “The plans for the space are gorgeous and Adenah’s commitment to fresh, quality ingredients will make this an exciting addition to the Maplewood restaurant scene. And, with all the changes happening on the east end of the Avenue the timing and location are perfect.”
A dynamic and successful entrepreneur, Bayoh escaped the civil war in her native county of Liberia at age 13, and immigrated to New Jersey. The founder and CEO of Adenah Bayoh and Companies, she has developed and owns IHOP franchises in Paterson and Irvington, New Jersey and her company has a portfolio of over $225 million dollars in urban redevelopment projects.
Read more about Bayoh here:
“When we first met Adenah we were immediately impressed with her and asked that she think about opening a business in Maplewood,” said Mayor Vic DeLuca. “We were so happy when she came back with the idea of Cornbread. She is the real deal and will be a welcomed addition to Maplewood’s business community.”
