There’s always a moment around this weekend when the county suddenly shifts gears. The patio tables fill up again. Farmers markets start feeling crowded instead of chilly. Downtowns stay busy later into the evening. And somehow everyone collectively decides it’s officially iced coffee season.

This week has a little bit of everything that makes late spring around here great. Memorial Day parades and ceremonies will take place across Union County today while the weekend brings one of the county’s biggest food festivals back to Westfield with NJ GreekFest, a massive outdoor Rhythm & Blues festival in Plainfield, and ART in the Garden returning to Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit. Scotch Plains and Summit continue farmers market season, and outdoor concert season is starting to wake back up too.

We’re also introducing a new coffee spot this week: 1874 Coffee Company in Fanwood, which appears to have quietly opened across from the train station ahead of its official opening date. Given the way coffee shops have been popping up across Union County lately, we may need to start admitting this county runs on espresso and pastries.

As always, thanks for exploring Union County with us. Let’s get into this week’s Scoop.

1874 Coffee Company
281 South Ave., Fanwood

A new coffee spot has opened in Fanwood right across from the train station. While 1874 Coffee Company’s Instagram originally listed May 27 as the official opening date, their latest post suggests they’ve already quietly opened their doors ahead of schedule.