Eastern Morris, NJ February 2026

Letter from the Editor

February signifies so much, most notably love. And if you’ve lived long enough to see the evolution of Valentine’s Day, you’d know that love shows itself in many different forms, to different people. Whether it’s a spouse, friend, or co-worker, it’s the perfect time to show any special someone in your life how much you care. Galentine’s Day, anyone?

We’re taking this opportunity to LOVE LOCAL. After all, it’s the heartbeat of everything we do at EMCL. We absolutely live to promote businesses, make connections, and let our readers know about the best of the best for all things mom-and-pop.

This month, I had the pleasure of stumbling upon one of my new current favorites. Jersey Artisan is owned by 34-year-old Sal Pisani, who makes the most delicious sourdough bread and artisan cheeses you’ve ever had in your life. He’s an extraordinary man whose mission is to carry on his Southern Italian traditions and share them with his neighbors in a newly opened café.

Want to show someone love, but a dozen red roses don’t quite fit the bill? Stop in to see Elvis at Lola’s Floral Boutique. He’s one of the most creative minds in florals (and a delightful human) who will craft a gorgeous and unique arrangement for any type of love.

Artim Studio owner Lucia Artimova took her love for local to another level. She tackled the renovation of a lifetime and saved a one-hundred-year-old building from demolition in order to make it the new home for her business. You need to see it. It’s STUNNING.

Do mornings sometimes seem impossible? Then buy your morning brew from the I’m Possible Café in Pine Brook. It’s a coffee shop that employs kids with special needs, and they serve up your daily cup with a smile that will stay with you all day long.

And lastly, our very own Felisha Lynch shares her favorite local spot. Jane Do is her go-to fitness studio for showing herself some love. After all, we need to take care of our health so we can best serve the ones we care about.

Which local businesses are your favorite? Share them on Instagram and tag us @easternmorriscitylifestyle . Show those mom-and-pop shops how much you appreciate all they do. We’ll be on the lookout!

February 2026

PUBLISHER

Kim Cera | kim.cera@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Alison Lukin | Alison.Lukin@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Felisha Lynch, Judy Marano

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Donna Fisk, Craig Toron, Chad Thompson, Bite Size Studio

ALISON LUKIN, EDITOR

@EASTERNMORRISCITYLIFESTYLE

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

Proverbs 3:5-6 Learn

Kohut and Son Landscaping provides a multitude of services covering everything from landscape design to snow plowing. We specialize in original planting design and landscaping architecture, custom stonework, natural and mortar stone walls, all types of patio stone and pavers, koi ponds, waterfalls, drainage, full service property maintenance for residential and commercial properties.

city scene

@students_2_science NJBIZ 2025 Non-profit Business of the Year 6 – 7: Attendees at a @partyassistnj event @inmiko

and David

@iamflashyy at the Morris County Card Show 9: The Morris County Chamber of Commerce Health and Wellness Forum 10: The Grinch and Santa at the Boonton tree lighting 11: Boonton Main Street holiday party 12: Attendees at a holiday gathering for partners of Sunrise at Mountain Lakes 13: The beSure Network launched its partnership with the Gateway Chamber of Commerce at Heathermeade Distilling 14: Santa and our Recreation Director Tracy Gallo Peter at the Boonton tree lighting

business monthly

Regenus Center Expands Its Advanced Red-Light Therapy & Recovery

Regenus Center in East Hanover, New Jersey’s leader in photobiomodulation, aka “red light therapy,” is redefining how high-performing adults recover, recharge, and restore their energy. The center just recently expanded its array of ARRC LED Advanced Rejuvenation & Recovery Chambers that anchor The BioVitality Protocol™—a science-driven system that reduces inflammation, improves circulation, supports detoxification, and helps clients regain 3–5 more hours of usable energy in just one 15–21-minute session.

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The Qoldfusion Walk-In Pantry: See What’s Next in Luxury Living

Royal Green Appliance has been the tri-state’s premier home partner for 65+ years. When your home deserves more than ordinary, trust the name that has defined excellence for decades. From concept to completion, The Royal Green Appliance Companies delivers a seamless experience—curated appliances, expert guidance, and refined service. Visit our Parsippany showroom to explore the Qoldfusion walk-in pantry—a bold statement in innovation and elegance, designed for homes that demand the extraordinary.

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Grand Opening: Green Tree Pediatric Dentistry in Mountain Lakes!

Visit our brand-new clinic for dental exams and check-ups for children and teens. Our state-of-the-art facility features high-end design and the latest dental technology to provide top-notch care for your children. Experience modern, advanced, and compassionate care with board-certified pediatric dentist Dr. Park in Mountain Lakes!  Visit greentreepediatricdentistrynj.com for more information.

the CITY LIST

We have such amazing, innovative business leaders in our community who are proud to serve you, our residents, with class and quality. We’ve compiled some of our top company picks for the services that might be on your mind this month in an effort to make your lives a little easier.

Best Jeweler

Walter Bauman Jewelers walterbauman.com | 973.794.4884

West Orange Jewelers westorangejewelers.com | 973.364.2500

Aires Jewelers airesjewelers.com | 973.292.0950

Elsie Fine Art Jewelers elsiefinejewelry.com | 973.244.1170

Garden State Gold & Coin gardenstategoldandcoin.com | 973.265.4930

Best Fine Dining Restaurant

Eccola eccolarestaurantnj.com | 973.334.8211

BellaRosa Free Style Italian Restaurant bellarosarestaurant.com | 973.794.4555

Il Capriccio Ristorante ilcapriccio.com | 973.884.9175

Want to suggest a monthly pick?

Grato Restaurant gratorestaurant.com | 973.267.4006

Barka Mediterranean Seafood & Steak barkarestaurantnj.com | 973.917.3386

JERSEY ARTISAN CO.

Owner Sal Pisani brings a taste of his Southern Italian roots to Morris Plains

ARTICLE BY ALISON LUKIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY DONNA FISK

Something special is growing in Morris Plains. It’s called Jersey Artisan Co., and it’s the passion of 34-year-old Sal Pisani that has brought it to life. It’s his new café that ties together a lifelong mission to share his Southern Italian roots with the community.

“Whether you’re getting it from a friend who grows it or creating a product, feed your family and local community. That’s why everyone visits Italy, because the food is produced in a healthy way.”

Like most parents, Sal’s father taught him family traditions in hopes that he’d carry them on to future generations. But unlike most kids, Sal actually listened. Not only did he listen, but he lived it. His father taught him about sourcing locally, the importance of sustainability, and the joy of bringing people together around a table.

Soon after college, Sal began making small-batch cheeses out of a dairy farm in Sussex County. “That’s where I spent six years making cheese, fine-tuning the recipes, and getting experience building out a team.”

He traveled around New Jersey selling at farmers’ markets and building relationships with local business owners, and in 2023, formed Jersey Artisan Co.

Now working out of his state-inspected cheese facility in Whippany, he uses his father’s techniques

to make curd cheeses like ricotta, mozzarella, and burrata. If you’ve ever tasted fresh ricotta in Italy, you certainly know the difference. Sal explains, “The word ‘ricotta’  means ‘recooked’, so with our method, you’re heating up the milk to make fresh mozzarella, and then you’re reheating the whey to make ricotta. As a result, it’s super smooth and actually less fat. We also ladle it all very gently by hand.”

Spring Run Dairy in Pittstown, New Jersey, supplies 600 gallons of raw milk for Jersey Artisan’s cheese making each week. “Since it’s so seasonal and depending on what the cows eat, we see a difference in the color. You’re so used to seeing a white ball. With ours, you may see a little yellow color, and that’s just showing it’s a natural product. We allow the beauty of what changes seasonally to show.”

CONTINUED >

In a separate area of his cheese facility, there’s “the cave” where all the aging magic happens. It’s filled with hanging shapes of scamorza and caciocavallo. Shelves are stacked with wheels of primo sale, asiago, and toma. All his varieties are used in dishes served at his café, and “there are a few top restaurants we’re really proud to be in. The Summit House, Chef AJ, has been at many top restaurants in New Jersey. I met him when I first started. Wherever he’s moved, he’s taken our cheese.”

Sal’s bread facility in East Hanover was the original location where all the products were sold. Now, it’s exclusively used for baking their artisan loaves. He explained, “Our bread is a three-day process, which is a slow fermentation that develops flavor nicely and naturally with our 100% sourdough starter. We use River Valley Community Grains, which is a local mill in Blairstown, so we’re sourcing grain from the tri-state area. We’re continuing the tradition of using what’s around us to make healthy food. It’s a philosophy all Southern Italians live by.”

One type of bread that speaks to Sal’s Calabrian roots is their whole wheat loaf. It’s a hearty bread typically served in that region. “It’s special because we put whey in it from our cheese making instead of water. So, it’s not dairy-free, but it gets a little bit of fermentation from the cheese.”

And this is the old-school sustainability that remains constant throughout everything Sal does. “This whole thing is just sharing the traditions of how I grew up. Everything that you see is what we did on a small scale at home, whether it was stuff from our garden, or animals we raised that my dad would produce here in our backyard.”

Sal had a vision from the beginning that has finally come to fruition, and that’s the newly opened Jersey Artisan Café in Morris Plains. He’s still making his cheese in Whippany, and bread in East Hanover, but it’s this family hub that brings it all together. It’s a one-stop shop for all of his special products, but here, he’s bringing a taste of Italy to  New Jersey.

He’s created the most authentic Italian coffee bar we’ve ever seen, delicious homemade breads and pastries, and the GELATO. It’s all as authentic as he is.

“This whole thing is just sharing the traditions of how I grew up. Everything that you see is what we did on a small scale at home, whether it was stuff from our garden, or animals we raised that my dad would produce here in our backyard.”

But this café is so much more than food. On any given day, you’ll see Sal’s beautiful wife and baby boy, his in-laws, parents, relatives, and friends sitting and enjoying just like you see in Italy. He makes his rounds, giving a friendly hug and making sure everyone there feels at home. Because for him, it’s sincerely about family. Sal says, “It’s so nice to see couples you know, and families coming to the café, sitting down and enjoying the coffee with one of our pastries.”

And what does Sal’s father think? “He’s in love with it. He’s the first one to come in the morning. This is something that he always loved doing for us at home. Just cooking for people and seeing them smile.”

THE I’M POSSIBLE CAFE

SERVING UP COFFEE AND SMILES IN PINE BROOK

Any café can serve up a cup of coffee. But what if your morning brew came with a genuine smile?  What if that small purchase changed the life of the person serving it to you? That’s not only possible, but it’s I’m Possible.

ARTICLE BY ALISON LUKIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOE RUDE

The I’m Possible Café in Pine Brook is the dream of Joe and Paulette Rude. Their son, Garrett, has Down Syndrome. They wanted to create a place where kids, like Garrett, who have so much to offer, could be employed in a supportive environment. Joe explained, “We frequent a place called the Compassion Café in LBI, and that place started about five years ago. They started with ten

employees and have grown to like 90. We reached out, and they shared their business plan with us, and two years ago, we met with Ryan.”

Ryan Olohan is the owner of Seven Scoops & Sips, an ice cream store lovingly named after his seven children. He offered the use of his ice cream store in the mornings to host the café. “He had already heard of the Compassion Café and was always so supportive. He was like, ‘Don’t worry about it, guys, you can do this.’”

And what about the café name? “I had read a story a while back about a photographer named Jeremy Cowart who conceptualized  The Purpose Hotel in Nashville. The hotel focused on helping others, with everything from room decor to nightly rates benefiting various causes. That stayed on my inspiration board, and several years later, I’m Possible was born.”

With a warm reception from the community, each week brings more customers. “The weekends are definitely busier. We’ve had schools come in, and businesses. We’re thankful to have our first corporate sponsor, Stryker, and hope to find more that would like to support us,” Joe explained.

What’s most important is that the kids have a purpose and feel good about themselves, and this is accomplished in the café. “They go and tell everyone they really got a job. They’re running into family members around town, and we hear how amazing it is for them. A woman came in last week with her daughter, and she

was so excited that they could work with her daughter’s feeding therapist here, outside of the home.”

And their commitment shows. Joe said, “We have one kid who is our head barista, Patrick, who works every Saturday. He was away last weekend, and he told me he was up at 6 a.m. because he was wondering how we were doing without him. We also have Kathleen, who works the register and does our social media posts. They have such dedication.”

The I’m Possible Café also serves Café Joyeux coffee, which originates from a café in France that started in 2017 and employs individuals with special needs. They now have over 20 locations internationally, with their newest in New York City.

Are there more locations planned for the I’m Possible Café? “We love being here; this is an amazing location, and three days a week is perfect for us. Could there be more at some point? Maybe!”

Visit www.im-possiblecafe.org/

Creative Blooms For Anyone You Love

A special flower shop is blooming in Montville. Lola’s Floral Boutique, owned by Elvis Mansilla and John Kohut, combines a unique aesthetic with timeless, beautiful design.

Whether it’s centerpieces for a Sweet 16, specialized arches for a backyard party, or elegant wedding florals, Elvis puts his personal touch on all of his work. “I make different designs for everybody. Everything is custom, and I love putting different ideas together.”

With the boutique lovingly named after Elvis’s mother, he’s passionate about making special arrangements for gifting, too. And with Valentine’s Day close at hand, thoughtful gifts are on everyone’s mind. It’s a holiday that has grown way past a dozen red roses (although we still love those!).

Galentine’s Day celebrations, romantic love, or thoughtful sentiments for anyone important in your life, it’s a great excuse to show someone you care. Elvis shared some of his favorites that would make anyone feel special.

WHAT ARE SOME FLOWERS, OUTSIDE OF THE OBVIOUS RED ROSES, THAT ARE GREAT FOR GIFTING ON VALENTINE’S DAY?

I love wildflowers. Those could be snapdragons, baby daisies, chrysanthemums, or goldenrod. And they look beautiful in bud vases. We have baby orchids that last up to twenty days. I love yellow roses for friends, or anything pink.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PRESERVED FLOWERS.

They’re natural flowers treated with a preservative, so they last anywhere from three to five years. We have so many beautiful colors.

YOUR FAVORITE NON-FLOWER OPTIONS?

We have really nice soaps, lotions, and candles by Michel Design Works, and they’re excellent quality—floral, lemon, all different scents. They even make great home gifts.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER?

I don’t have a favorite; they’re all my favorites. Every arrangement needs different colors. I love every single one.

“A lot of ideas come in the moment; that’s when designs come out best. And we can work with any budget— anything the customer needs.”

artim studio restoring beauty

Upscale salon in East Hanover blends artistry with historic renovation

If you look up the Latin definition of the word Artim, it means “work of art.” And that’s what salon owner Lucia Artimova is creating every day. As her name implies, it’s who she was born to be.

“My father was a barber, and not that I even grew up watching my father, but something drew me to it,” she explained. It’s that intuition that seems to lead her to each success she’s had in her career—an instinct for what works.

She began her cosmetology education at 16, while working in a salon. “My talent grew in the following years, and that’s when I really learned about hair.” In 2009, her mother wanted to open a hair studio in East Hanover and approached Lucia to work there. “I didn’t even know where East Hanover was! I just started telling all of my clients, and thankfully, they followed me here.”

As her clientele grew, so did her need for more space. Her partner, Eddie, found a property right down the road, on Ridgedale Avenue, that was a diamond in the rough. “This property was built in 1928. The building behind here was the original home, built in the 1800s. When I initially walked in, I

ARTICLE BY ALISON LUKIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRAIG TORON

thought, ‘no’ but as we walked through, I just knew I had to open up my mind to the possibilities,” Lucia said.

The home was built by flower farmers who later owned East Hanover Floral Company. They raised their three children in the house. “As soon as I came in here, I felt a lot of love, because there was a family that lived here. The wife would take actual plants and reseed them. She was the one that held it all together.”

And that was the beginning of Lucia’s latest work of art. The labor of love to create a space that would elevate her career and create a legacy for her future. This home, that was going to be demolished, was given a new life. “I went into this project in December 2024, and we officially opened in August 2025. There was so much to facilitate.”

What began as a renovation included quite a bit of restoration. Original oak floors and wooden ceiling beams were brought back to their former glory. Lucia explained, “Actually, behind the walls was the most gorgeous shiplap, but they made me cover it because of

building codes. If people actually saw the walls inside—you just don’t find this anywhere.”

And how has this beautiful space influenced her work? “Knowing that I’m doing this for my daughter’s future, there’s nothing like it. It’s amazing. We love that in the future, this building will still be standing, and I can leave her something.”

The building of this new space is so much more than just a structure. It’s also the people inside. “I feel like we have a really good team. I get to choose who I have in this building.

And I love to provide the opportunity for other women to grow their businesses.”

Lucia has created several quiet spaces throughout the salon. Whether it’s at her hair station, the manicure and pedicure room, or the skincare suite, the experience is built to be special. “Our space is cozier and more intimate.”

Artim Studio is a space where its past nurturing energy makes its way into everything that’s done in the present. And that’s purposeful. Lucia has been intentional with every decision, from the restoration of this special place to the staff that works here. Rest assured, every experience here is perfection.

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The place that fills me up so I can pour into my family

MY DO NOT DISTURB

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY FELISHA LYNCH

If you’re a mom, you get it. Someone always needs something the second you even think about doing something for yourself. For a long time, taking time for me felt impossible. Five kids, sports, school, dinner, life. I kept saying I’d get back into a routine “when things slowed down,” which is funny because nothing has slowed down since 2015!

Then I found Jane DO in Cedar Knolls, and something shifted. I walked in for my first class already out of breath from the school drop off, and the second the music started, I remembered what it felt like to move my body for me. Not while holding a baby. Not while cleaning the house. Not while chasing a toddler who always has one shoe on. Just me showing up for myself!

And the truth is, it makes me a better mother. When I take that hour, I leave more patient, more present, and proud of myself. My kids may not notice every detail, but they see a mom who is taking care of herself, and that MATTERS MOST!

Jane DO has the kind of energy that pulls you in. It’s upbeat, challenging, welcoming, and fun. They offer classes that actually make working out feel exciting: step, HIIT, dance, tramp, sculpt. My favorites are step & tramp because they feel more like a party than a workout. The instructors hype you up like old friends, and the workouts remind me that I am strong outside of motherhood too.

A few reasons I keep going back:

• The workouts challenge me without overwhelming me

• The music makes it fun!

• The community is warm, real, and encouraging

If you’ve been waiting for a moment to start something for yourself, this is it! Find a place that fills you up and makes you excited to go back. And if you want to join me for a fun workout, you can use the code FELISHA20 for 20 percent off. Taking care of myself there helps me show up better for the people I love most!

Sticky Date Pudding with Warm Toffee Sauce

PROVIDED BY FOOD COMPANY

CATERING & SPECIAL EVENTS IN EAST HANOVER

Makes 4–6 individual puddings

Ingredients

Toffee Sauce

• 1½ cups heavy cream

• ½ cup dark brown sugar

• 2 tbsp molasses

• Pinch of salt

Pudding

• 4½ oz pitted dates, roughly chopped

• ¾ cup water

• ¾ tsp baking soda

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• ¾ tsp baking powder

• ¼ tsp fine sea salt

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 2 eggs, room temperature

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Heat oven to  350°F. Butter  4–6 ramekins (6–8 oz size) and place them on a baking sheet.

Make the toffee sauce:

Combine the cream, brown sugar, molasses, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring until smooth. Reduce heat and simmer 4–5 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy. Set aside and keep warm.

Prepare the pudding batter:

Place the dates and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, stir in the baking soda, and let stand 3–5 minutes to soften.

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Cream the butter and granulated sugar until light. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla.  Fold in half the dry ingredients, followed by the warm date mixture, then the remaining dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.

Assemble:

Spoon about  1 tablespoon of toffee sauce into the bottom of each ramekin. Divide the batter evenly among ramekins, filling them about ¾ full

Bake:

Bake for  22–28 minutes, until the tops are set and a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs.

Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes.

Serve:

Turn out onto plates or serve directly in the ramekins. Spoon warm toffee sauce generously over each pudding. Finish with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

FEBRUARY 1ST

Bling It On! Sterling Silver Ring & Earring Show

Parsippany PAL | 8:30 AM

Fine Sterling Silver & Gemstone Jewelry. 900 Rings and hundreds of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. We specialize in Cocktail Style rings! New, Estate, Vintage. 8:30 am - 2:30 pm. We accept CASH, Venmo, PayPal & Zelle. *NO checks or credit cards*

FEBRUARY 10TH

Galentine’s Day Trivia

The Barn Kitchen and Bar, Rockaway | 7:00 PM

Grab your besties and channel your inner Golden Girl — Galentine’s Day Trivia is coming! Celebrate friendship, sass, and all things Golden Girls with our special Galentine’s Day Trivia Night! Join us on February 10th at 7 PM for $5 Cosmos, $8 Margaritas, wine specials, prizes & nonstop laughs. You and your girls deserve a night out! Reserve your table!

FEBRUARY 13TH

Kid’s Night Out

Greater Morristown YMCA, Cedar Knolls | 4:00 PM

Looking for a Friday night out while your kids enjoy an evening of fun? Drop them off at the Greater Morristown YMCA for Kids Night Out—a safe, supervised program filled with games, crafts, sports, and themed activities. Kindergarten–5th Grade | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM | $40 Members; $50 Non-Members | $10 off additional child with promo code kidsnightout10

FEBRUARY 14TH

2026 Cupid’s Chase 5K Morristown

The Daily Plan It, 150-152 Speedwell Ave, Morristown | 10:00 AM

Every February, this national race series celebrates Community Options’ founding. Last year, over 11,000 runners nationwide joined us, creating a fantastic crowd and raising funds to provide housing and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. We welcome runners, walkers, participants with baby strollers or wheelchairs and sponsors to be part of our 18th annual race! Tickets: runsignup.com/ CupidsChase5KMorristown

FEBRUARY 20TH

Bingo for Babies New Jersey

St. Catherine’s Church, Mountain Lakes | 6:00 PM

The New Jersey Chapter of Lily’s Hope Foundation will be hosting its annual Bingo for Babies at St. Catherine’s Church on Friday, February 20th. $25 per person. Get tickets at www.lilyshopefoundation.org/njbingo

FEBRUARY 22ND

The Warrior Heart - A Men’s Workshop

Prana Yoga Center @pranayogacenter | 2:00 PM

What to expect: Opening Men’s Circle — space to check in, be heard, and drop the armor. Warrior Flow Yoga (45 min) — build strength, stability, and presence. Guided Breathwork (45 min) — reset the nervous system and release deeply. Closing Share Circle — integrate and connect in brotherhood. Duration: 2 hours - $50.00 early sign-up and $55.00 day of