Bernardsville, New Jersey
A Century of Community
Looking solidly ahead into a dynamic future while keeping hold of its cherished roots
In the scenic hills of Somerset County, New Jersey, Bernardsville is a town where history and progress coexist harmoniously. While neighboring areas have experienced rapid expansion, Bernardsville has retained its intimate charm and a strong sense of community. Where historic streets intersect with fresh opportunities, Bernardsville preserves its distinctive character while charting a course for a dynamic, renewed future. Local leadership is committed to blending its deep-rooted traditions with innovative development as the town moves forward, ensuring Bernardsville remains timeless and thriving.
Bernardsville’s leaders—Mayor Mary Jane Canose, Borough Administrator Nancy Malool, and Council President Al Ribeiro—are deeply committed to the town’s future. “In the 52 years I’ve been here, Bernardsville has maintained its small-town feel despite the growth around us,” Canose explains. This small-town spirit has been a key element in what attracts residents, particularly younger families seeking a close-knit community. With only about 12 square miles to its name, Bernardsville has successfully preserved its historic downtown, centered around its iconic train station, while thoughtfully welcoming new developments that reflect its heritage.
Transit plans in motion
For Canose, who has lived in Bernardsville for over five decades, the borough is more than just a place to live—it’s a way of life. “Bernardsville’s brand has always been family and community,” Ribeiro adds. “That’s why people come here, and that’s why they stay.”
The town’s proximity to New York City—just a short train ride away—has been another major draw. Bernardsville’s train station, a critical hub since the 19th century, played a significant role in its early development, attracting New Yorkers who sought refuge from the city and built summer homes in the area’s rolling hills. “The train station was completed in 1872 and brought with it a wave of new residents, which included wealthy New Yorkers who saw the beauty of the land here,” Canose explains.
Today, the train station remains central to life in Bernardsville, both in terms of transportation and as a symbol of the town’s enduring character. The leadership team is also working on modernizing and integrating the station into the borough’s plans. “We’re in the process of becoming a designated transit village, which will open up opportunities for grant funding to improve the area,” Malool explains.
John Parker Tavern
Embracing connectivity and community
One of the borough’s most ambitious ongoing projects is to improve connectivity between its neighborhoods. The town received a federal grant to build the Boylan Terrace Walkway as part of this effort. The project will connect historically hard-to-reach areas, particularly for immigrant communities, to the downtown and train station. “We’ve had areas that were geographically separated by the ridge near the train station, and this walkway will create a safe, accessible route to downtown for all residents,” Ribeiro says.
The Boylan Terrace area has a rich history as the home of immigrant communities, including the town’s Italian masons and gardeners who arrived in the late 19th century. Today, it remains a neighborhood rich with cultural diversity, housing a growing Ecuadorian population. “These residents are a vital part of the fabric of our town—they are the painters, the gardeners, the masons, and we want to integrate them more fully into the community and the economic life of downtown,” Canose adds.
The commitment to connectivity goes beyond physical infrastructure. The town has worked hard to foster a sense of belonging among all its residents, encouraging participation in community events and offering spaces for engagement. “We’re not just focused on the roads and the sidewalks; we’re focused on making sure everyone feels connected to the heart of Bernardsville,” Malool explains.
Development with a purpose
While Bernardsville is careful to preserve its history, the town is not immune to the development pressures. Canose explains that several redevelopment projects are underway, including affordable housing and new mixed-use developments that will introduce more residential and retail space to the downtown area. However, the town is adamant about ensuring that any new construction fits within its historical context. “We have to grow, but we want to make sure we grow in a way that keeps our small-town character,” Canose says.
One notable example is redeveloping a historic Episcopal church building on Claremont Road. “The church couldn’t afford the $4 million necessary to restore it, but a local developer who loves historic buildings stepped in,” Canose explains. The result is a stunning transformation—four condos in the original structure and 16 more built around it, all designed to blend seamlessly with the church’s stone façade. “It’s a development that respects the past while meeting the needs of the present,” Canose adds.
Another key redevelopment project is currently making its way through the planning board. The mixed-use project will add 68 residential units and retail space to downtown Bernardsville, emphasizing creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
“Our goal would be to widening the sidewalks and creating more outdoor dining spaces,” Ribeiro explains. “It’s about making downtown more walkable while also enhancing safety.”
A culinary renaissance
One of the most exciting aspects of Bernardsville’s recent revitalization is its emergence as a dining destination. “We’ve become known for our restaurants,” Canose says, proudly pointing out several new establishments that have opened in the last few years. Among them is MV, a restaurant housed in a building that has served various roles over the decades, from a stable to a brewery. “The owner is someone who had a restaurant in Brooklyn, but he saw this beautiful historic building in Bernardsville and decided to open his new place here,” Canose explains.
Another culinary star in Bernardsville is Red Horse by David Burke, a high-end restaurant in the historic Bernard’s Inn. “David Burke has brought a lot of energy to the town,” Canose says. “He’s maintained the inn’s historic charm but added a modern dining experience.”
The revitalized Bernard’s Inn has become a hotspot for both residents and visitors, offering fine dining and a speakeasy and jazz club in the basement. “We’ve seen this place come alive,” Ribeiro adds. “It’s not just a restaurant; it’s a community hub.”
Creating sense of place
Beyond its growing restaurant scene, Bernardsville offers a variety of activities and events that draw people downtown. The town boasts one of the few remaining downtown movie theaters in New Jersey, a historic gem that has survived the closure of so many small theaters in recent years. “During COVID, they rented the theater out to families for private showings, which helped keep it open,” Canose explains. “Now, with a new manager in place, they’re showing first-run films and hosting film festivals.”
The town hosts regular events, from farmer’s markets to holiday parades and car shows. Bernardsville’s recent designation as a Main Street community has brought additional support for these initiatives. “We’ve done a lot to bring people downtown, whether through events like ladies’ night out or our Halloween trunk-or-treat event,” Malool says. “It’s all about creating a sense of place.”
Roadmap for future growth
Looking ahead, Bernardsville’s leadership is focused on three primary goals: downtown revitalization, connectivity, and recreation improvements. The town’s comprehensive recreation master plan, completed during the pandemic, laid a roadmap for enhancing outdoor spaces and trails, a significant part of Bernardsville’s identity. “People want to be outdoors, whether walking, hiking, or biking,” Malool explains. “We’ve added new trails and improved existing ones to connect different parts of town.”
Another priority is securing affordable housing that blends into the community. “We want to ensure that affordable housing is integrated into the town’s fabric, not set apart,” Canose explains. Projects that fulfill Bernardsville’s affordable housing obligations are in the pipeline, with groundbreaking expected by late 2025 or early 2026.
Ribeiro sees Bernardsville’s future as one built on its existing strengths. “We take pride in being a hidden gem, a place where families want to live and businesses want to grow,” Ribeiro says. “Our goal is to keep building on that—revitalizing downtown, improving connectivity, and making Bernardsville a great place to live, work, and visit.”
Celebrating 100 years
As Bernardsville enters its next chapter, the borough carefully balances thoughtful growth while preserving its timeless character. With federal grants fueling infrastructure upgrades, strategic development on the horizon, and a flourishing dining scene, Bernardsville is ready for a future that honors its past. “Bernardsville may not be as hidden anymore, but it’s still a place where community comes first,” Ribeiro says.
As the town celebrates its 100th anniversary of independence from Bernard’s Township, it confidently looks ahead to the next century, preserving the best of what it has always been while embracing the possibilities of what it can become.
AT A GLANCE
Bernardsville, New Jersey
Who: Mayor Mary Jane Canose, Borough Administrator Nancy Malool, and Council President Al Ribeiro
What: A small borough known for its scenic landscapes, affluent community, and historical significance.
Where: Northern Somerset County, New Jersey, within the New Jersey Highlands, part of the Appalachian Mountain range, about 40 miles west of New York City.
Website: https://www.bernardsvilleboro.org/
