Named one of the best places to live in New Jersey in 2023 by Niche.com, Scotch Plains is known for its excellent public school system, safe communities, residential neighborhoods, charming downtown, family life, and diversity. Scotch Plains’ downtown was nominated as of one best downtowns in New Jersey in 2018 by NJ.com readers poll.

With over 9 square miles and a population over 24,000, Scotch Plains has many happening places to visit and events to attend throughout the year. Scotch Plains is located in the western portion of Union County and is bordered by Plainfield, Fanwood and Somerset County to the west, Berkeley Heights and Mountainside to the north, Westfield to the east, and Clark to the southeast. Directly south of Scotch Plains is Middlesex County. Scotch Plains was settled by European Quakers in the late 17th century, and developed as a stagecoach stop between New York and Philadelphia. 

In addition to several parks, Scotch Plains has many recreational amenities, including part of the Watchung Reservation in the north, Shackamaxon Country Club, Ash Brook Golf Course, and the Shady Rest at Scotch Hills Golf Course, which contains the first African-American country club in the nation. It’s golf pro, John Shippen, was the first American born professional golfer to enter the U.S. Open Championship. 

For 2022, for the fourth year in a row, Scotch Plains was named a “Healthy Town” in New Jersey thanks to its robust and successful Mayor’s Wellness Program. The Mayor’s Wellness Program focuses on incentive programming to keep residents healthy both physically and mentally. 

Scotch Plains has an exceptional place in American History during the Revolutionary War. The Scotch Plains Baptist Church stands in the heart of downtown. Original settlers and twenty-four Revolutionary War soldiers are buried within its historic cemetery. Also located in downtown Scotch Plains is the historic Osborn Cannonball House, which has been in Scotch Plains since 1777. Both British and Continental troops marched past its front door during the Revolutionary War years in the Battle of Short Hills. The Osborn Cannonball House has been converted into a museum featuring many items in the Revolutionary War. It is also open for special events and is included in an annual historic festival sponsored by Union County called Four Centuries in a Weekend. 

The Frazee House, constructed circa 1720-1740, played a role in the American Revolution. In this house, Elizabeth “Aunt Betty” Frazee, a prolific baker, turned away General Cornwallis and his troops who wanted her freshly baked loafs of bread. These historic assets make Scotch Plains a regional destination.   

Scotch Plains has a historic downtown shopping district along Park Avenue, known for its many “mom-and-pop” small businesses. Downtown contains many famous and successful businesses such as John’s Meat Market, the Stage House Tavern, and Darby Road Pub House. The Town continues to welcome new businesses with ribbon cuttings each year.  Downtown also contains many boutique, antique stores, and specialty shops along both Park Avenue and East Second Street. Scotch Plains also has a strong business corridor on Route 22. 

The Alan M. Augustine Village Green in downtown Scotch Plains features many successful events such as a Summer Concert Series, Movies Nights, an annual Downtown Race to Summer 5k race, holiday celebrations, wellness fairs, and more. The Scotch Plains Farmer’s Market runs every Saturday from May to November from 8:00am to 2:00pm in downtown in the Municipal Building Parking Lot, attracting visitors from all over the state.   

Scotch Plains is currently undergoing a major downtown redevelopment plan to attract new businesses, housing, and vibrancy to the downtown. After 37 years of previous attempts, the Township of Scotch Plains is finally moving forward with a comprehensive downtown redevelopment plan to redevelop publicly owned properties along Park Avenue, Bartle Avenue, and Westfield Avenue. 

On June 13, 2023, the Township named a conditional developer for its historic downtown redevelopment project, as part of an ongoing effort to redevelop under-used parcels .  Scotch Plains prides itself on an inclusive redevelopment process involving residents, businesses owners, and property owners.

In addition to downtown redevelopment, major projects being discussed and to be completed, include, but not limited to, the following:

• Bowcraft Redevelopment Project – the decades old amusement park is being developed into 190 apartment units and 10 townhouses for a total of 200 units. 35 units will be deemed affordable.  
• Parker Gardens Redevelopment Project – the old greenhouse site is being developed into 228 units, including townhouses and apartments. 34 units will be deemed affordable.
• North Avenue Project – this site located next to the Charlie Brown’s on North Avenue is being developed into an apartment building with 7 units as well as 5 townhouses for a total of 12 units. 2 units will be deemed affordable.
• 1770-1772, 1774-1778, and 1782 East Second Street Redevelopment Project – Project combines three properties to jump-start the revitalization of East Second Street with a three story, mixed-use development consisting of 40 residential units, including 6 affordable, and 2,140 square feet of commercial space.
• QuickChek Project – Redevelops existing dilapidated commercial property at 475 Terrill Road into a QuickChek convenience store with gas pumps and electric vehicle charging stations.

Business owners should choose Scotch Plains as the location to open their business. We love welcoming new businesses to our town, and you can expect a positive environment where business investments are encouraged and appreciated.

If you’re interested in opening a business in Scotch Plains, please visit: https://www.scotchplainsnj.gov/index.php/departments/business-economic-development

Downtown Redevelopment Committee

The Mayor and Township Council established a 21-member Downtown Redevelopment Committee to lead Scotch Plains’ redevelopment efforts.

This Committee, comprised of Township officials, business owners, and residents, welcomes and encourages developers and investors to review our downtown redevelopment plans and attend our meetings to learn about opportunities in our downtown. For more information, please visit: https://www.scotchplainsnj.gov/index.php/boards-commissions/downtown-redevelopment