DoverNow

12/23/2025

Continuing our walk through Dover's historic downtown and the many buildings that have shaped our history. Todays stop:

📍 The Harris Building
19 E. Blackwell St.
Built in 1913, the Harris Building is a stately three-story red brick commercial structure with classical influences, including a four-bay façade, arched pediment, cast-stone rosette, and a rectangular panel reading “Harris.” Originally, four ball finials adorned the parapet, adding to its distinguished presence on Blackwell Street.

William Harris, born in England in 1835, immigrated to the United States in 1868, starting a jewelry business in Rockaway. By 1874, he had moved his store to Dover, opening at 15 S. Sussex Street. In 1910, he incorporated his business as William Harris and Sons. After briefly relocating to the Berry Building, at Blackwell and Morris streets, he commissioned construction of his own building in 1913. Following his death in 1917, his sons continued the family business from this site.

In front of the Harris store stood one of Dover’s two iconic street clocks, installed around 1900. A familiar sight in historic photos of downtown Dover, the clock operated until it was damaged by a car in 1960. A new street clock was later installed at 8 W. Blackwell Street in honor of Dover’s 275th anniversary.

Today, the Harris Building is home to El y Ella Salon and Tattoo Stilo, continuing the building’s legacy of small businesses in downtown Dover.

12/22/2025

From a passionate dance student to a thriving studio owner, Brianna Ochoa has brought high-quality Latin, ballroom, and social dance to both kids and adults right here in Dover, and she’s just getting started. 💃

In 2026, will debut a brand-new studio space inside the , continuing to grow alongside the community that inspired it. ✨

Stay tuned for the next wave of creatives in Dover 👀 Read the full story at dovernow.com

12/18/2025

Dover’s Blackwell Street Historic District was officially established in 1982, and many of the buildings that still stand today reflect the rich heritage and daily life of a vibrant, working-class community.

In this series, we’ll take you along as we explore buildings you may walk past every day, but that actually hold significant meaning in Dover’s history. 👀🏛️

📖👉 National Union Bank
📍 18 W. Blackwell Street

This historic building once played a major role in shaping Dover’s financial identity as the town’s economy grew and evolved.

Banking in Dover began in 1831, when Phelps Union Bank operated inside the Park Hotel until 1847. Segur’s Bank opened in 1867, became the Dover Bank in 1871, and was later absorbed by the National Union Bank of Dover.

That same year, George Richards founded the First National Bank on West Blackwell Street, which was renamed the National Union Bank of Dover in 1872.

The bank expanded over time, purchasing the Hotel Dover and later acquiring a corner property from Henry O. Baker in 1928. The original structure was demolished and replaced with a new Renaissance Revival–style building, which opened on October 17, 1929.

The three-story building featured brick construction, pedimented metal windows, and a 1929 renovation that included glazed terra cotta and ornate molding.

Over the years, the bank evolved into National Community Bank, then Bank of New York, and later Chase Bank.

Since 2011, the historic building at 18 W. Blackwell Street has served as the Zufall Health Center, continuing its legacy by providing medical and community care. 🏥🤍

Follow along as we continue walking through Dover, one building at a time. More stories coming soon. 👣🏘️

12/17/2025

There’s less than two weeks left before our Small Business Giveaway comes to a close.

If you’re looking to kick off 2026 with strong visibility and premium exposure, this is your shot. With 150+ distribution locations across Morris County (and expanding), it’s a chance to put your business in front of thousands—just like many of the advertisers currently growing with DoverNow.

📅 Giveaway closes December 31 @ 12 PM
🎥 Winner announced live on January 5th

Enter here while you still can: DoverNow.com/giveaway
(or tap the link in our bio)

Good luck! 😉

12/16/2025

Morris County Democratic Committee requests the resignations of every Dover Democratic Committee member, including Mayor James P. Dodd and Chair Maria Solines.

County Executive Board outlines list of ethical violations during election cycle.By David Chmiel and Mariana SimioniThe Morris County Democratic Committee called for the resignation of every member of the Dover Town Municipal Democratic Committee, including Chair Maria Solines and Mayor James P. Dod...

12/16/2025

🎅🏼 Ho! Ho! Ho! Thank you to all of the advertisers who supported us in our December 2025 issue 🎄✨

Your continued belief in DoverNow truly means the world to us. It is the greatest gift we could ask for. 🎁

While we may still be the new kids on the block, we are proud of the positive impact we have already made in the community and we truly believe that 2026 is going to be a huge year for Dover, Morris County, and the community that continues to grow with us. 🚀🤍

👉 Read the latest issue at: dovernow.com/dec2025 📖

If you are interested in locking in our best advertising rates before 2026, now is the time to do so. ⏳💼

See you soon, neighbor! 👋🏼🏘️

12/15/2025

Dover Bridge Academy Ground-breaking gets the project started.

Superintendent Luis A. Jaime presides over the groundbreaking ceremony for the new sixth-grade annex construction.Dover Public Schools held a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, December 8, to celebrate the start of construction on its new sixth-grade annex, officially named Dover Bridge Academy. The...

12/12/2025

Dover Council approves first reading of salary ordinance.

A special meeting was held Friday to introduce the first reading to resolve confusion from the Tuesday meeting.A 15-minute special meeting on Friday resolved a sticky situation regarding job postings that arose during Tuesday evening’s Dover Town Council meeting. The meeting was held after conside...

12/12/2025

This one was highly requested 👀🥐

We stopped by Plaza Bakery, one of the newest gems in town — and it did not disappoint 😎

This time, Marianna went straight for the Colombian chorizo con arepa… chef’s kiss 🤌🇨🇴

A perfect fusion of Colombian x Mexican flavors, all wrapped in a place with seriously good vibes.

Exposed brick ✔️
Warm atmosphere ✔️
Plenty of seating ✔️
Sunny windows & a great spot for coffee, lunch, or getting some work done ☕💻

Plaza Bakery is quickly making noise and officially DoverNow Approved! 🔥

Support local & check them out!
What should we try next from Plaza? 👇
Tag a friend you’d bring with you 🫱🏼🫲🏿

12/11/2025

The Dover Police Department was cleared of all wiretapping charges made by Mayor James P. Dodd.

Morris Prosecutor closes three-month investigation, finds no evidence of wrongdoing.On August 27, Dover Mayor James P. Dodd released a video via the town’s social media channels, accusing the Dover Police Department of illegally wiretapping incoming and outgoing Town Hall calls. Flanked by Town Ad...

12/10/2025

Dover Town Council approves $425,000 emergency legal payment.

Two 30-year tax incentives for Bassett Highway developments get support; salary issues to be addressed at a separate meeting.Dover’s town council voted this week to approve a nearly half-million-dollar emergency appropriation from next year’s budget to cover legal expenses. While Mayor James P. ...