Hopewell Is A Thriving Destination Center With A Vibrant Arts, Antiques, and Dining Scene
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r e at i v i t y i n a l l i t forms is thriving in Hopewell. The town’s increasing focus on the arts, antiques, and culinary expertise has made it a true destination center. In addition to its hometown residents, visitors from Princeton and well beyond are enjoying the many aspects of Hopewell hospitality. Not the least of which is its appealing ambiance and pleasing small town environment. While it offers an increasingly exciting variet y of shops, galleries, and restaurants, it has managed to retain the feel of a small town and the nuance of times past. A day — or night — out in Hopewell may include shopping, antiquing, enjoying art exhibits, or dining at a variety of eateries — all ready to tempt your taste buds. For example, if you are in the mood for Italian, specifically pizza, Nomad Pizza is just the place. Opened in 2007, it originally began with a pizza truck that traveled to different locations for parties and catering. Its popularity grew to such an extent that two years later,
it opened a “brick and mortar” location in Hopewell (eventually adding new Nomad Pizzas in Princeton and Philadelphia, which have also flourished). Do It Right “Nomad is quite different from other pizzerias,” explains owner Tom Grim. “We are artisans. While most pizzerias focus on quantity, we focus on quality. We brought in a wood-fired oven from Naples, Italy, which is the birthplace of great pizza. We have only one size pizza, and it is hand-crafted. It takes us four days to make our dough. “We also have our own garden beside the restaurant, where we grow veggies and herbs. And we source toppings from many local and organic farmers. Right now, we are making our seasonal spicy corn pizza. We keep our menu short and focused. Basically, just pizza and salads. We’d rather stick to one thing and do it right.” Mr. Grim is enthusiastic about Nomad’s Hopewell location. As he points out, “Hopewell is a great small town but close enough to make it a nice night out for
Princeton diners. Customers actually come from all over New Jersey, and it is a great town to visit, to shop, and to eat. And with lots of free parking to boot!” Antimo’s Italian Kitchen is another favorite spot for dining out. Known for its Italian specialties, it has attracted a loyal following since its opening 18 years ago. Owner Antimo Iovine’s focus both on delicious Italian cuisine and a friendly atmosphere are highlights for many customers. Antimo and his brother, general manager B en ny Iovine, and catering and front end manager Jeff Kyle are very pleased with their Hopewell location and its popularity in so many areas, especially restaurants, shopping, the arts, and antiques. Mr. Kyle also contrasts the growth — often sprawl — in surrounding areas with Hopewell’s small town environment. “All of this build-up elsewhere has t ur ned qu iet areas into bustling town centers, and some of those areas have lost the small owner-operator businesses that many people loved.
Today, Hopewell is surrounded by preserved land, and its downtown image is the same as it was when I attended elementary school here. Hopewell is a sanctuary for those who want to escape the busy parking lots, chain stores, and highways, and return to a time when life was simple. Dining Experience “I believe that people enjoy the quaint feeling that Hopewell instills within its visitors. We are not large like Princeton or built up like Route One, but we have top-notch restaurants, vibrant shopping with unique stores, creative outlets, and many other features and opportunities — all located in our small town and within easy walking distance.” Of course, it is the dining experience that brings many regular diners to Antimo’s, adds Mr. Kyle. “We have lots of regulars who eat in or take-out multiple times a week. Since adding delivery recently, we are seeing even more customers. And they are coming from all over the area.” He adds that Antimo and his brother grew up near Naples, and the menu reflects that origin, although it also includes a variety of Italian Continued on Next Page
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Foxbrook Home & Garden
Vintage Home Elements and Garden Accents 25 E. Broad Street • Hopewell, New Jersey
609.466.0062
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17 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, AuguST 9, 2017
Hopewell-Pennington Area Life