☀️ Happy Monday, Union County!
Labor Day weekend is two weeks out, and this issue has a real changing-of-the-guard feel to it. Two of the county's long-running outdoor concert series play their final shows of the season this week: Westfield's Sweet Sounds Downtown wraps up both its Tuesday and Thursday nights, and Cranford's Summer Sounds closes out August with one last set at the Clock Plaza. Catch them while you can. Know a place or event we should cover? Hit reply and send it our way.
On the other side of the ledger, we spotted three new restaurants that opened their doors recently: a phở spot in Union Township, a Creole lounge in Linden, and a Latin sports bar in Elizabeth. Add in Rahway's five straight nights of live music and Summit's summer sidewalk sale, and there's a lot to squeeze in before summer wraps. Let's get into it!
Restaurant News
Just Opened Recently
Phở Street
1302 Stuyvesant Ave. Suite B, Union Township
A new phở spot has landed in Union Township. If you’re looking for Vietnamese food, definitely check out Phở Street.
Nola Social
100 S Wood Ave, Linden
New Orleans comes to Linden with Nola Social, a Creole Soul & Cocktail Lounge serving up Southern comfort food and craft cocktails with a Big Easy twist.
Lola's Cocina Latina
1128 Elizabeth Ave, Elizabeth
Elizabeth has a new spot for Latin cuisine, with a menu of tacos, fajitas, ceviche, and other Mexican and pan-Latin dishes. It's also an all-day sports bar, with a full lineup of screens, weekend DJs, and Sunday game-day specials.
Feature of the week
Rush Bowls
27 E Broad St, Westfield
This all-natural smoothie bowl spot on East Broad Street blends real fruit and veggies fresh to order with no artificial sweeteners. Try the signature Beach bowl or the protein-packed PB & J, or grab a smoothie like the Green Rx on your way out. Board games are always on hand if you want to linger. They'll even do a bowl for your dog. 🐶
UC Scoop Reader Deal: Mention "UCS10" in-store for 10% off your order.
🏡 Last Week’s Poll
Last week's poll asked where in Union County you live, and the results track pretty closely with where we spend most of our coverage. 47% of you are in the Central corridor (Westfield, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Garwood, Cranford), 26% are East (Kenilworth, Union, Roselle, Roselle Park, Hillside, Elizabeth), 19% are South (Clark, Rahway, Linden, Winfield, Plainfield), and just 7% are North (New Providence, Berkeley Heights, Summit, Springfield, Mountainside).
This Week’s Poll
🤝 How much of a sense of community do you feel where you live in Union County?
🏡 UC Scoop Real Estate Partner
Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Samantha is always open to a conversation.
Got a local tip?
Discovered a hidden gem, new restaurant, or cool event? We’d love to feature it in The UC Scoop!
📩 Send your scoop to [email protected] or message us on Instagram @ucscoop
Things To Do This Week
Monday, August 24
How to Make the Most of Your Next Museum Visit — 7:00 PM
Westfield Memorial Library, 550 E Broad St, WestfieldWestfield Art Association president Darrin Owens shares tips for getting more out of a museum trip, plus a reminder that the library has nearly 30 museum passes patrons can borrow for free.
Tuesday, August 25
Family Fun and Flix: GOAT — Festivities 7:30 PM, movie at dusk
Warinanco Park, Roselle/ElizabethBring a blanket or lawn chair for a free outdoor screening of GOAT, with an ice cream truck on hand while you wait for the sun to go down.
Summer Sounds: Laurie Vega Trio — 6:00–8:00 PM
Eastman Clock Plaza, CranfordCranford's weekly summer concert series continues with smooth sounds from the Laurie Vega Trio.
Linden Summer Entertainment Series: 80's Revolution — 7:00–8:30 PM
Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, LindenFree outdoor concert bringing 80s hits back to the Promenade for a night of throwback tunes.
Sweet Sounds Downtown — 6:00–9:00 PM
Quimby Street, Downtown WestfieldWestfield's free outdoor concert series wraps up its Tuesday nights this week, this is the last one of the season. This week, Genesee Stills Band and Howlin Poets are performing.
Wednesday, August 26
Open Mic Night at Butch Kowal's Tavern — 7:00–10:00 PM
950 St Georges Ave, RahwayBring your instrument or just your voice and support live local music at this free open mic night.
Sound Bite Summer Concert — Grounds open 6:00 PM, concert 7:00–8:00 PM
Reeves-Reed Arboretum, 165 Hobart Ave, SummitLocal band Sound Bite plays classic and alternative rock as part of the Sounds of a Summer Night series. Bring a blanket for the lawn. $10 for non-members, free for RRA members.
Thursday, August 27
Creating Spaces Along the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route — 4:30–5:30 PM
Westfield Memorial Library, 550 E Broad St, WestfieldRutgers Landscape Architecture professor Wolfram Hoefer presents a student-designed master plan for blending recreation and history along Westfield's stretch of the historic Revolutionary trail. Registration required, 69 seats available.
The Market at Union — 5:00–8:00 PM
Town Hall/Union Public Library front lot, 1980 Morris Ave, UnionWeekly market with local produce, handmade goods, artisan items, and food trucks. Check link for the latest vendor lineup.
Summer Sounds: Forget the Whale — 6:00–8:00 PM
Eastman Clock Plaza, CranfordCranford's weekly summer concert series wraps up August with a set from Forget the Whale, the last Summer Sounds show of the month.
Mayor's Summer Concert Series: All-4-One — 7:00 PM
In front of UCPAC, 1601 Irving St, RahwayFree concert from the Grammy and American Music Award-winning R&B group behind "I Swear," presented by the Mayor and Rahway City Council.
Linden Summer Entertainment Series: Epic Soul — 7:00–8:30 PM
Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, LindenThis rain-delayed show from earlier in the summer finally lands on the Promenade with a free night of soul music.
Summit Summer Sidewalk Sale — Thursday, August 27 to Saturday, August 29, 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
Downtown SummitThree days of sales, promotions, and discounted items from Downtown Summit shops. Check link for participating stores.
Sweet Sounds Downtown — 6:00–9:00 PM
Quimby Street, Downtown WestfieldThe final Thursday show of the season for Westfield's free outdoor concert series. Check link for the lineup.
Friday, August 28
Live at Cherry Street Park: Sherin — 6:30–9:30 PM
Cherry Street Park, 59 E Cherry St, RahwayNJ-based singer-songwriter Sherin Hanafy brings jazz standards and original songs to Cherry Street Park for a free evening of live music.
Saturday, August 29
Scotch Plains Farmers Market — 8:00 AM–1:00 PM
430 Park Avenue (Municipal Parking Lot), Scotch PlainsLocal produce, baked goods, and Jersey Fresh favorites fill the municipal lot for this weekly market. Rain or shine.
A Diverse Mix of Live Music: Deadicated — 6:00–8:00 PM
Arts District Park, Central Ave & Irving St, RahwayThis Grateful Dead tribute band brings laid-back grooves and extended jams to Arts District Park for a free evening.
Sunday, August 30
Summit Farmers Market — 8:00 AM–1:00 PM
Park & Shop Lot #1, DeForest & Woodland Ave, SummitOne of the best farmers markets in the state sets up with local produce, baked goods, and more. Rain or shine.
Cherry St Soiree en Blanc — 7:00–10:00 PM
East Cherry Street at Irving St, RahwayDress in white for this dinner-in-the-street affair, with local restaurants taking orders and free parking at the Broad Street Lot B. Tickets are $30.
Mark Your Calendar
Family Fun and Flix: A Minecraft Movie — Tuesday, September 8, Festivities 7:30 PM, movie at dusk
Warinanco Park, Roselle/ElizabethFree outdoor movie screening closes out the summer series. Check link for the latest details.
This Week’s Volunteer Spotlight: Community FoodBank of NJ, Hillside
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey's Hillside warehouse sorts and packs food for families across Union County. Volunteers help sort and repack food items, assemble Emergency Food and Senior boxes, bag bulk product into family-sized portions, or pitch in on office and data entry work. Ages 12 and up are welcome (12 to 15 with a parent or guardian), and advance sign-up is required, no walk-ins.
🤝 Learn more & sign up: cfbnj.volunteerhub.com
📌 The UC Scoop Bulletin Board
Nature Behind Glass - Discover handcrafted miniature terrariums or join a guided workshop to create your own.
Wear The Whimsy - Shop sustainable fashion and give pre-loved clothing a fresh place in your wardrobe.
Have a local opening, workshop, fundraiser, or community announcement? Send it to [email protected]
Share The UC Scoop with your friends and family. Send them over to theucscoop.beehiiv.com
P.S. Want to sponsor The UC Scoop, feature an event, offer a reader’s deal? Let’s chat! Email us at [email protected]