The Ave is Downtown Vineland. But it’s much more than just a collection of buildings and businesses. It’s a vibrant and thriving community that is the heart of Vineland.
From locally-owned shops and restaurants to cultural events and natural beauty, The Ave has something for everyone.
Make The Ave Your Third Place
Third Place refers to the social surroundings that are separate from the two usual social environments of home – “first place” and the workplace – “second place”.
The Ave in Downtown Vineland wants to be your Third Place. The Ave offers a vibrant and inviting atmosphere where you can meet up, relax, and connect with friends and family. With its diverse range of local businesses, and engaging events, The Ave provides a welcoming space for people of all ages, whether you’re looking for a great lunch or dinner spot, a unique shopping experience, or just a place to meet friends, The Ave has everything you need to make it your Third Place.
Hot Topics On The Ave
Indian Cuisine isn’t something most people would consider a staple in Vineland. Diwan Grill is here to change that. When the owner, Sanjeev Kumardub, decided to move his restaurant from Brooklyn, NY to Downtown Vineland, he saw an opportunity to show off in a virtually untapped market.
VDID staff were invited to Diwan Grill last month to sample both classic and contemporary Indian dishes. Here’s what we learned: Indian is one of the most flavorful cuisines in the world. Here’s some of the dishes we tried that are perfect for your first experience at Diwan Grill. When you’re ready, order online at diwangrillnj.com and receive 20% off your first order!
Appetizers: Samosas, Garlic Shrimp, and Smoked Chicken Wings
It should be a rule that every first-timer at an Indian restaurant should have to try the Samosas. A Samosa is a crispy fried turnover filled with seasoned potatoes and peas. Like french fries, it’s hard to resist eating the whole basketful, and the two sauces that came with them – a cilantro chutney and a sweet tamarind sauce – complete the flavor roller coaster. For something a little more familiar that introduces Indian flavor, the Garlic Shrimp and Smoked Chicken Wings are delicious appetizers.
Deep cut: Papdi Chaat is a famous Indian street food snack that combines crunchy fried crackers with soft potatoes, chickpeas, cool yogurt, and flavorful sweet-and-tangy sauces. Choose this for a super authentic appetizer loaded with flavor.
See more from our visit to Diwan Grill on our Instagram here
Entrees: Chicken Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken
These two are the perfect introductory dishes for anyone new to Indian cuisine. Both are creamy, tomato-based curries featuring marinated chicken, but with slightly different flavors. Butter Chicken heavily relies on butter and heavy cream for a smooth and somewhat sweet sauce. Chicken Tikka uses more tomato and onion to create a tangier cream sauce with hints of warm Indian spices. Serve over jasmine rice and add a side of naan (Indian flatbread) for dipping and you’re in for a delicious experience!
Deep Cut: Chicken Kali Mirch is a creamy, pepper-forward North Indian and Pakistani chicken curry made with a rich cashew-yogurt gravy and plenty of freshly crushed black pepper. Like heat? You can choose to “spice up” any dish when ordering online at Diwan Grill
Discover more great Downtown food finds on our Facebook page
Entrees: Kheer (rice pudding) and Mango Lassi
Living in Jersey, the diner capital of the world, most people know rice pudding. Kheer is a traditional South Asian variation of rice pudding that stands out through its unique use of aromatic spices, slow-simmered whole milk, and other flavor-packed mix-ins. A cultural twist on something very familiar. Mango Lassi, a beverage, is most easily compared to a fruit smoothie, made by blending ripe mangoes, yogurt, milk, and a touch of sugar or spices like cardamom. Perfect for summer time!
Downtown Vineland prides itself on being a cultural hub for the city, offering food and retail options that represent the various heritages that make up our citizenry. Diwan Grill is a great addition to Downtown and we hope you think of them next time you want to try something new.
Downtown Vineland came alive with classic cars, live entertainment, and community spirit as the 34th annual Cruise Down Memory Lane returned to The Ave, drawing visitors from throughout South Jersey and beyond.
Over 400 classic, antique, and specialty vehicles lined Landis Avenue as residents and car enthusiasts gathered to celebrate automotive history and enjoy a near-perfect summer day in the heart of Vineland. The event featured a high concentration of American classics, amplifying the nostalgic atmosphere and giving younger generations a glimpse into the styles of yesteryear..
“Vehicle participation fluctuates from year to year,” says Andre Rivera, associate director at Main Street Vineland/VDID. “What remains consistent is the incredible public support and tremendous love people have for this event” Over 400 cars lined both sides of Landis Ave from 8th Street to 3rd Street. Cruise Down Memory Lane remains one of the largest and longest-running automotive events in the region.
“The real story is the hundreds of volunteer and staff hours that make Cruise Night possible,” says Rivera. The Cruise Down Memory Lane Committee, led for the last 12 years by Marvin Askins and Nancy Nordberg, managed vehicle check-in, load-in, and parking while multiple crews from Vineland Police, Public Works, and OEM ensured a safe environment for participants and spectators. Main Street Vineland serves as the coordinating office and liaison between the City and the committee.
From 5 pm to 8 pm, the event maintained a very relaxed, low-key atmosphere to it as thousands of people perused the show cars and chat about what’s under the hood. The vibe started to change a little after 8 pm, when the cruising hour started. As the sun starts to set and cars start hitting the street, many older citizens are transported to a time when “Cruising The Ave” was a weekly occurrence. This is where the heart of the event lies: the generational connection between past and present.
“It’s almost like car-lovers ASMR!” joked one spectator, referring to the sounds of revving engines and the occasional burnout echoing through downtown. But beneath the rumble of V8s was something deeper: a community gathering to celebrate a tradition that has endured for decades. As the final cars rolled off Landis Avenue, they left behind more than tire tracks—they left behind another chapter in one of Vineland’s most cherished traditions.
Who’s Vineland’s Top Dog? Voting is now open to decide the ultimate title Vineland’s Top Dog.
Got a good dog? Prove it. Eligible candidates have from May 1st to 31st to register their dog (see eligibility requirements) for the competition.
The first round of voting will begin on June 1st , and the winner will be announced at the Paws on The Ave Pet Expo on July 18th at the Vineland Convention Center.
A $15 registration fee is required for all candidates and includes:
- Official contest bandana
- (1) ticket to the Paws on The Ave Pet Expo
- A shot at local fame
The winner will be crowned on July 18th at the Paws on The Ave Pet Expo and receive:
- The title of Vineland’s Top Dog for one year
- Official commendation from the mayor’s office
- Opportunities to appear at other local events as a recognized dignitary
Eligibility Requirements
- Dog must reside within Vineland city limits
- Dog must be currently licensed with the City of Vineland (licensing information can be found at vinelandcity.org/licensing)
- Owner must be 18 years or older
- One entry per dog (owners may submit multiple dogs, but each requires a separate registration)
