Autumn Years Summer 2023

Closter in the 1950s became a de veloper’s dream, with at least 11 ma jor housing developments built during that time. Advertised as being only 12 minutes from the George Washington Bridge by car, Closter was the place to be. Subdivisions with names like Alde cress Knolls, Greenway Homes, Closter Heights and Marion Village together comprised hundreds of new homes. The largest development, called Closter Vil lage, had a whopping 325 new houses. A sleepy borough in 1905 of roughly 1,200 people doubled in size by 1940—and by 1960 exploded to nearly 8,000. Closter has historically served as the shopping hub of the northeast corner of the county, and in 1962 ground was bro ken for a major shopping center called Closter Plaza. Comprising 38 stores, a supermarket and a movie theater, the plaza became a center of modern subur

In Closter Plaza is the beloved Rudy’s Pizza, a local institution that is the sub ject of a documentary ( pizzashopmovie. com ). Back in the day, Closter was home to bowling alleys, miniature golf and a hobby shop with slot-car tracks. It was a suburban kid’s dream. Today, area residents can enjoy the Closter Nature Center, which offers 136 acres of woods, streams, wetlands and trails, as well as a summer children’s program. Some towns have a municipal garden; Closter has a farm. The 5.5-acre MacBain Farm is operated by the Closter Environmental Commission and dedi cated volunteers. The farm is open to the public as a park with walking trails. Closter has had numerous brushes with fame. The movie Family Man , star ring Nicolas Cage, had scenes filmed in town, as did Woody Allen’s Crimes and Misdemeanors . Because so many notable people have called Closter home, a Hall of Fame was established. A few of the more than 34 honorees include actress Rue McClanahan, jazz legend Bill Ev ans, baseball icon Mickey Mantle, model and writer Emme, Sesame Street puppe teer Richard Hunt and sports illustrator Charlie McGill. The Hall of Fame is one of many ways Closter celebrates its past and its people. Despite having grown, Closter has re tained the feel of a small-town American community. As Mayor John C. Glidden, Jr., notes, “Closter is proud of its spirit of volunteerism, evident by the number of organizations and community groups that call Closter home.” a

CREDIT: FACEBOOK SITE, “ARE YOU FROM CLOSTER???”

ban life. When a new owner revitalized the shopping center in 2016, the Closter Historic Preservation Commission used a social media campaign to persuade the owner to preserve the look of the iconic Mid-Century Modern sign that towers over the shopping center.

Closter Nature Center.

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AUTUMN YEARS I SUMMER 2023