Morristown sees boutique robbery, jazz festival lineup, parade marshal named
A designer handbag store was robbed by masked thieves while a major music event returns to the Green and a hospital executive is tapped for next year's St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Five masked individuals stormed C'est La Bella on Community Place around 3 p.m. this past Sunday, stealing designer handbags in broad daylight. The owner reported that customers fled as the thieves grabbed handfuls of pocketbooks during a scheduled vintage bag flash sale.
Owner Chuck Spinella told local media he suspects roughly $40,000 worth of merchandise was taken from the boutique before police could intervene. No arrests have been announced at this time regarding the incident.
The robbery forced the cancellation of a planned Tuesday sale as the business owner stated they would remain closed briefly to recoup losses and discuss next steps. A statement posted by the shop asked for prayers and urged anyone with information to contact local police immediately.
Community Safety Concerns
This incident marks another challenge for downtown businesses, occurring just days before other scheduled events in Morristown. Residents are advised that while specific details on arrests remain unavailable, law enforcement is actively seeking witnesses who may have seen the group enter or leave the store.
In contrast to recent crime news, the annual Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival returns to the Green this Saturday, Aug. 15, with a full day of free live music. Organizers expect five acts to perform from noon through 9:30 p.m., encouraging attendees to bring lawn chairs or blankets for the event.
The festival lineup features James Langton New York All-Star Big Band opening at noon, followed by Richard Baratta Gotham City Latin/Jazz Septet and LaBamba and the Hubcaps in the afternoon. The day concludes with Dylan Triplett performing from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., before headliner Christone Kingfish Ingram closes out the show.
Christone Kingfish Ingram, a Grammy Award-winning guitarist dubbed by Rolling Stone as the undisputed future of the blues, will be the final act on stage for music fans. The festival is dedicated to the memory of founding members Linda Kiger Smith and Michael Fabrizio, who both died within a week of each other in 2021.
Summer Music Schedule
Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic or visit nearby restaurants since there will be no food vendors at this year's festival. The event has become one of downtown Morristown's signature summer attractions, drawing crowds for swing-era classics and modern blues interpretations alike.
Looking ahead to next spring, Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center President Trish O'Keefe was selected as the Grand Marshal for the 2027 St. Patrick's Day Parade of Morris County. A third-generation Irish American with roots in County Cork, she will lead more than 3,000 marchers down South Street on Saturday, March 13.
The parade routinely draws between 50,000 and 70,000 spectators, making it one of the largest events in New Jersey and one of the oldest parades in the country. O'Keefe has been actively involved as a Parade Patron for more than 25 years and was recognized by Irish America magazine in 2022.
Honoring Local Heritage
O'Keefe began her career as a bedside nurse 45 years ago before becoming president of the hospital in 2016, earning multiple industry awards for her leadership. She stated that she is honored to lead an event that honors Irish heritage which has deep ties to Morris County and Morristown.
The tradition dates back to General George Washington giving his Irish militiamen a day off after the difficult winter of 1779-1780 in Jockey Hollow near Morristown. This gesture led to the first St. Patrick's Day Parade in Morris County in 1780, establishing a long-standing local custom.
Carl Stopper noted that O'Keefe embodies the spirit of community service and pride in heritage required for such a role given her decades of dedicated service to Morristown residents.
Questions residents are asking
What happened at C'est La Bella on Sunday?
Five masked people entered the store around 3 p.m. and stole designer handbags worth an estimated $40,000 while customers were present. The owner canceled a scheduled sale for Tuesday as they recover from the incident.
When is the Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival?
The festival takes place on Saturday, Aug. 15, with performances running from noon to 9:30 p.m. on the Morristown Green. Admission is free and attendees are encouraged to bring their own food or visit nearby restaurants.
Who will lead next year's St. Patrick's Day Parade?
Trish O'Keefe, president of Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center, has been named the Grand Marshal for the 2027 parade on March 13. She is a third-generation Irish American who has lived and worked in Morristown for many years.