This year, the town of Montclair and the surrounding area have welcomed an array of new businesses, from eateries like Bacio Nero and Brick City Vegan, to pet-friendly establishments like Bond Vet and Ruff to Fluff Bar. Whether you’re seeking to explore new spots or re-visiting familiar favorites that have recently emerged within the area, there is much to do and explore around every corner in town. We’ve rounded up a list of all the businesses that opened in Montclair + surrounding towns in 2023. Read on for a full list of businesses that opened in Montclair, NJ + beyond in 2023.
Did we miss your new favorite business? Send us a note at hello@themontclairgirl.com. Omissions are never intentional!
11 South | 11 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
Teglia Pizza Bar, known for its popular square pies, made waves in Montclair upon its debut in 2021, selling over 30 Roman-style pizzas a night. This year, owner Joseph Catalano went around the corner for his next food venture, 11 South. Rooted in Joseph’s Sicilian heritage, 11 South is a BYOB restaurant with a more expansive menu than its sister restaurant. Some menu highlights include arancini (aka rice balls), caponata, lamb shank, and house-made pasta dishes.
Read More: There’s a New Juice Bar Coming to Montclair
2nd Street | 10 Park Street, Montclair
2nd Street USA is a second-hand clothing chain originally from Japan that has set up shop in town. Located at 10 Park Street, this store boasts an extensive range of styles, spanning from streetwear to vintage pieces, along with Japanese designer items and luxury accessories.
Art With All | 408 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Art With All is a center that caters to under-resourced communities by employing visual art instruction for seniors, adult persons with disabilities, communities of color, the LGBTQIA communities, and anyone seeking a safe space to create. The center is located at 408 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair and hosts artists’ talks and other events and plans by or from the communities they serve.
Artisan Gallery Pop Up | 493 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
The Artisan Gallery Pop-Up is a new gallery pop-up that has opened on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. The pop-up provides quality handcrafted products by women artisans and designers. The gallery features a variety of handmade goods such as candles, jewelry, art, and more.
Bacio Nero | 308 Glenwood Avenue, Bloomfield
Bacio Nero is an Italian delicacy shop and a well-known Italian franchise that opened this year at 308 Glenwood Avenue in Bloomfield. Bacio Nero keeps the Italian classics like tiramisu, stracciatella, and Italian pasta. Pasta options include Bolognese, Genovese, Ravioli, and Fagottini 4 cheeses. It’s also widely known for its variety of sweet and savory croissants like tuna and smoked swordfish or pistachio and almond.
Bar Franco | 5 Church Street, Montclair
Photo Credit: Rachael Grochowski of RHG Architecture
Owned + operated by Franco Porporino, Bar Franco sits adjacent to Franco’s other Montclair business, Fresco Da Franco — which, for 10 years, has built a sturdy reputation as one of the town’s Italian restaurants. Bar Franco boasts the same elevated vibes as its sister spot but with a door person and velvet rope guarding the bar’s entrance, and a super secret basement speakeasy. The Church Street cocktail lounge serves specialty drinks and Italian tapas, bringing an opulent, “New York vibe” to Montclair.
Bella’s Nails + Spa | 404 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
A new nail salon opened on Bloomfield Avenue in Upper Montclair. Located at 404 Bloomfield Avenue, Bella’s Nails and Spa is a nail salon/spa with services that include manicures, spa pedicures, waxing, and more.
Bond Vet | 640 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Bond Vet, located at 640 Bloomfield Avenue, is a comprehensive veterinary clinic that serves as a one-stop shop for all pet healthcare needs — started by Drs. Zay Satchu, Mo Punjani, and Lukas Keindl, the practice’s mission is to strengthen the bond between pets and owners by offering both wellness and emergency care. The Bloomfield Avenue location may be Bond Vet’s first clinic in Montclair, but the clinic has several other New Jersey locations in Hoboken, Jersey City, and Union plus additional locations in NYC, Boston, the DC area, and beyond.
Boschetto | 111 Grove Street, Montclair
Boschetto is a new Italian eatery at 111 Grove Street in Montclair. Boschetto is a fast-casual restaurant with an elevated twist, a concept created by long-time restaurateur Robert Spina, his partner Ryan Held, and Michelin-starred chef Joseph Sergentakis. There are a variety of pizzas on the menu as well as the Vitello tonnato, squid ink pasta, and panuozzi, a made-to-order sandwich baked with homemade pizza dough, and gelato for dessert.
Brick City Vegan | 362 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Brick City Vegan is a Newark-based fast-casual restaurant that has opened at 362 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. Essex County entrepreneur Adenah Bayoh is behind this creative concept, which features modern takes on classic Southern dishes in addition to standbys like grain bowls and salads. Adenah is also the owner of Cornbread in Montclair, which is situated right next door to Brick City Vegan.
Brow Fix Academy | 47 South Park Street, Montclair
Brow Fix Academy is a beauty studio that provides education and training to aspiring beauticians. Located at 47 Park Street in Montclair, the studio offers a variety of courses focusing on different aspects of permanent makeup, such as eyebrow shaping, eyeliner application, lip coloration, and more. The courses cover everything from basic techniques to advanced procedures.
Chip City | 2 Church Street, Montclair
The NYC-based cookie chain Chip City has officially opened for business at 2 Church Street. With locations popping up around New Jersey and New York, Chip City has garnered attention for its diverse menu of oversized cookies, weighing about 6-oz. each, with flavors spanning from chocolate chip to rainbow and s’mores. The menu also includes gluten-free items.
Cornbread | 362 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Another Montclair newcomer is Cornbread Farm-to-Soul, a fast-casual-style restaurant serving soul food located at 362 Bloomfield Avenue. The co-founders of Cornbread are two local female entrepreneurs: Adenah Bayoh, who owns eight restaurants, including four IHOP franchises; and Zadie B. Smith, the chef of Cornbread and also the owner of several child care centers in the area. The menu boasts a variety of options including its signature homemade cornbread, along with meats, fish, and dessert — all crafted from locally sourced, hormone and steroid-free ingredients.
Creativity Connect | 356 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Creativity Connect is an art studio specializing in the understanding of mental health through the creative arts. The new studio has opened on Bloomfield Avenue and promotes healing, creating, and building a dialogue of prevention and creative solutions between children, adolescents, and university students. The studio provides a collection of shows, seminars, forums, creative arts workshops, classes, community development opportunities, personal coaching, and creative arts therapy.
Dutch’s Sandwich Shop | 16 Church Street, Montclair
A new sandwich shop, Dutch’s Sandwich Shop, is open for business at 16 Church Street in Montclair. This store is named after the late great Dutch himself — an Olde English Bulldog who had his own fan club. The shop serves a variety of sandwiches and choices of bread, meats, and dressings, but also exudes an interior inspired by music, art, and movies.
Falafel Guys | 148 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Falafel Guys, located at 148 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, serves up Mediterranean-style food like falafels, gyros, and hummus, among other dishes. The restaurant has opened at 148 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, and as the name suggests, Falafel Guys serves up falafel (aka fried chickpeas). Other menu items include kebabs, gyros, hummus, grape leaves, and more.
Fanny’s + Ladyfingers | 1109 Broad Street, Bloomfield
The team behind Bloomfield bar and restaurant The Brookdale has introduced two new sister concepts. Fanny’s Restaurant + Bar is a hybrid restaurant that serves a blend of restaurant and cocktail services, while Ladyfingers Bakery + Bar puts a modern spin on the traditional bakery concept. The menu features a selection of timeless, yet refined and accessible offerings, including seasonal housemade pasta, chicken marsala, and a blueberry steak — a nod to the traditional Florentine dish. Additionally, the restaurant serves desserts from its sister bakery, Ladyfingers, located next door.
Fatto Con Amore | 349 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Photo Credit: MediaScher, Photographer Tyler Scher
Fatto Con Amore, a new sandwich shop from Chef Robbie Felice, has opened at 349 Bloomfield Avenue. Earlier this year, Chef Robbie opened another restaurant in Montclair, Pasta Ramen. The name means ‘made with love’ in Italian and serves up sandwiches made with freshly baked bread from the finest local bakeries and imported meats, artisanal cheeses, kinds of vinegar, and olive oils from Italy.
Fish Delish | 590 Valley Road, Montclair
Fish Delish is a fast-casual seafood restaurant founded in 2020 on Murter, an island in Croatia. The restaurant is an international project that opened this year in Montclair’s 590 Valley Road. The restaurant features fresh fish served in a casual atmosphere, with homemade sauces, salads, and sides. There are six locations throughout Croatia, and this is the restaurant’s first American location.
Flatbread Grill | 597 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove
Photo Credit: The Esendemir Sisters, Thumb Bread
Flatbread Grill has expanded to the former Fresh Grocer space at 597 Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove. The restaurant is known for its Mediterranean fast-casual offerings, including the fan-favorite Thumb bread. The full backstory regarding the Thumb bread can be found in our full article here.
Forever Welded Jewelry | 314 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Another jewelry store just opened on Bloomfield Avenue, known as Forever Welded Jewelry. The team is made up of female jewelers and designers who create pieces with, stones, solid gold, gold fill, and sterling silver. The team also hosts pop-ups as seen on its website and private events booked by appointment.
Fratelli Freschi Seafood Co | 3 Midland Avenue, Montclair
Fratelli Freschi Seafood Co is a seafood company providing top-quality specialty seafood products to establishments within Essex, Passaic, Bergen, and Morris counties. They have opened a location at 3 Midland Avenue in Montclair by three brothers; Marco, Nicolas, and Lucas Freschi who developed their love for the Ocean and New Jersey’s coastline of saltwater and seafood.
Fresh Pediatric Dentistry | 39 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
Fresh Pediatric Dentistry is a new dentist for children that has opened at 39 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair. The services offered at Pediatric Dentistry include preventive dentistry, pediatric restorative dentistry, pediatric emergencies, tongue-tie and lip-tie treatment, early interceptive orthodontics, and infant dentistry.
Fusionista | 14 Park Street, Montclair
Mikki and Al’s Noshery Deli no longer lives at 14 Park Street. The deli has moved to Glenridge Avenue; and in its place is Fusionista, a new Peruvian fusion restaurant. Spearheaded by Albaro Moramte, who worked in kitchens all over Europe as well as Llama San, the restaurant is a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant well-known in Manhattan.
GB Art Gallery | 218 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Established in 2022 by Ebru Bars and Gary Bars, GB Art Gallery has opened on Bloomfield Avenue. The gallery features high-quality artworks created by Turkish artists who exhibit nationally and internationally. The collection showcases over 100 original artworks by more than 10 artists portraying an array of contemporary art styles and subject matter including modern art.
Genevieve’s Exclusive Vintage | 10 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair
Genevieve Wrenn knows what she likes… shopping. With a love for vintage and designer items, Genevieve’s Exclusive Vintage Collection was born at 10 Lackawanna Plaza in Montclair. The items are sourced from all over the world bringing a carefully curated selection of designer vintage clothing, denim, outerwear, shoes, and accessories.
Gioia Mia | 331 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Photo Credit: Zack Pearl @thebacyard
Gioia Mia is a contemporary American restaurant by Chef Logan Ramirez and Manager Mary Cumella, who were part of the former Fascino restaurant team. Gioia Mia took over the former Fascino restaurant at 331 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. The restaurant focuses on more seasonal, farm-to-table ingredients, as opposed to traditional Italian cuisine. All of the pastas are made in-house using the best flours imported from Italy, and customers can also expect some Asian-inspired dishes on the menu.
Grace Loves Lace | 6 South Park Street, Montclair
Bridal salon Grace Loves Lace has opened at 6 South Park Street in Montclair. Founded in Australia in 2011, Grace Loves Lace is a unique and sustainable bridal boutique. The gowns are handmade with luxury fabrics, originality, and authenticity.
Iris Imprint | 25 Valley Road, Montclair
Iris Imprint is a new independent book and paper shop that opened on Valley Road. Led by Jaime Rugh, Iris Imprint focuses on self-published and independently distributed books across various genres. The offerings extend beyond books to include letterpress cards, gift wrapping paper, stationery, notebooks, pens, pencils, and art supplies.
JiangNan | 379 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Earlier this year, a new Chinese fusion restaurant, JiangNan, opened in Montclair. The restaurant is known for its Chinese fusion dishes prepared with traditional recipes and seasonal updates. Its other location resides in Flushing, New York, and was named to the Michelin Bib Gourmand list, an acknowledgment of the restaurant’s high-quality food and dining experience in 2022.
Keycuts Barbershop | 20 Church Street, Montclair
A new barbershop is open on Church Street. Keycuts Barbershop was created by Zane Keyes, who grew up in Montclair. Some services include cuts, styles, and trims.
Kinjo | 155 Washington Avenue, Newark
Photo Credit: TRBO Media
A new Japanese restaurant has opened in Newark — and is run by the same owner of two other well-known restaurants, including Cellar 335 and Madame in Jersey City. Kinjo is a new Japanese-inspired restaurant and the most recent addition to the dining scene in downtown Newark. Located at 155 Washington Avenue in Newark, the new business has a straightforward menu with Japanese items loved by many.
Lazlo Plants | 602 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Located at 602 Bloomfield Avenue, Lazlo Plants delivers an extensive selection of popular as well as rare plants. In addition to its diverse plant offerings, Lazlo Plants also offers a desert terrarium class where customers can learn how to grow and maintain their succulents.
Libelula Bakery + Kitchen | 5 North Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
A new bakery and eatery has opened at 5 North Fullerton Avenue, transforming the former Sushi Hana space. Libelula Bakery and Kitchen serves a blend of Dominican, Peruvian, and French flavors. The menu offers breakfast and lunch with a tempting fusion of Dominican and Peruvian cuisine, alongside a collection of Latin and French pastries.
Luigino’s Parmigiana | 173 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
Photo Credit: Cindy Blanco
Luigino’s Parmigiana is a new Italian restaurant located at 173 Glenridge Avenue in Montclair. The menu specializes in Italian favorites such as a variety of pasta dishes, cheeses, seafood, eggplant, and parmesan specialties.
MEGA | 172 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
This past fall, a new boutique fitness studio opened at 172 Glenridge Avenue in Montclair. MEGA is the second New Jersey location (the original studio in Jersey City) that uses state-of-the-art Megaformers and treadmills to give members a unique 50/50 workout experience.
Mesh Montclair | P.O. Box 1919 Montclair
Mesh Montclair provides emergency services and meals to the unhoused in Montclair. Mesh partners with local churches, synagogues, and community members to provide meals as well as overnight respite during harsh weather to the underserved families in Montclair.
Montclair Indoor Golf Club | 369 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Montclair Indoor Golf Club opened at 396 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair this past fall and has some of the most advanced technology to help take your game to the next level. With 24/7 access every day of the year, this indoor golf club features two simulator bays with both TrackMan4 and Trackman iO launch monitors. The goal of this gold club is to help interested customers improve their golf skills — whether it’s to meet a certain goal or simply just for fun, it’s something to do during a rainy or wintry day.
MTS Massage | 18-20 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair
MTS Massage provides customers with a customized approach to therapeutic massage. Matthew T. Simonetti is a licensed massage therapist with over 18 years of experience and operates his private practice at 18-20 Lackawanna Plaza. Services include deep tissue and Swedish massages.
Mumbai Maskaa | 150 Valley Road, Montclair
A new Indian restaurant, Mumbai Maskaa, has graced the scene on 150 Valley Road. Taking the place of the former Mediterranean eatery, Zachy on the Go, Mumbai Maskaa’s menu serves a journey through Mumbai’s diverse culinary landscape with dishes ranging from the traditional Indian vada pav and naans to international flavors including Thai delicacy and Chinese dishes. With roots in the city of Mumbai, the owner and chef Simpson Rodrigues brings the taste of its flavors straight to Montclair.
Montclair Mud Clay Studio | 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Montclair Mud Clay Studio officially opened in May at 370 Bloomfield Avenue in the Wellmont Arts Plaza. Montclair Mud Clay Studio has something for every crafty heart in the Essex County region. The studio has memberships, a variety of comprehensive courses with 24-hour access to the studio, one-time BYOB pottery wheel events, and more.
Nuts Factory | 3 South Park Street, Montclair
Last month, The Nuts Factory opened at 2 South Park Street in Montclair. As the name suggests, The Nuts Factory offers an assortment of nuts, dried fruits, gummies, teas, and more. The shop features combinations of nuts such as Oreo-dusted pecans and salted-coated chocolate almonds.
NuYou Define | 24 Elm Street, Montclair
The beauty scene in Montclair only continues to grow with more and more options. A new permanent makeup studio, NuYou Define, has opened at 24 Elm Street. The services offered at NuYou Define include permanent makeup for eyebrows, lash lift and tint services, winged eyeliner, teeth whitening, and more.
Pasta Ramen | 6 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
Photo Credit: @nj_native_photo
Earlier this year, a Japanese-Italian spot opened at 6 South Fullerton Avenue. Pasta Ramen was a concept created by Chef Robbie Felice who envisioned the first-ever Italian ramen shop — a creative marriage of Japanese and Italian culture and cuisine. Some menu items include chicken katsu, tofu fritti, and mochi ramen cacio e pepe.
Playa Taqueria | 206 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
Playa Taqueria opened earlier this year at 206 Bellevue Avenue. This eatery, led by David Feit, John Paul Valenti, Charlie Diehl, and chef Ricardo Camacho, emphasizes authentic Mexican corn tortillas. The ambiance reflects a “beachy Mexico vibe,” as David put it, which is reminiscent of a “casual taco stand in Tulum.” The menu features tacos, bowls, and burritos with a selection of fillings that include tamarind glazed pork belly carnitas, short-rib suadero, longaniza, and R.E.M, a mixture of poblano rajas, charred corn, and crispy shiitake mushrooms.
Rooster’s Hot Chicken | 369 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
A new chicken spot has opened at 369 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. Rooster’s Hot Chicken not only serves chicken, but chicken from Nashville. Some menu items include hot chicken, hot wings, and sides to accompany the chicken. A variety of sauces that range from mild to “on fire” are also available.
Ruff to Fluff Bar | 127 Valley Road, Montclair
Ruff to Fluff Bar is a grooming and blowout salon for dogs. The business was founded in Jersey City in 2022 and made its way into Montclair this year. Located at 127 Valley Road, Ruff to Fluff Bar provides an array of services including a water bar, viewing bar, color bar, and sniff bar. The salon also has membership services that include access to baths + other grooming necessities.
Rumi Café + Grill | 265 Glenwood Avenue, Bloomfield
A new Mediterranean restaurant, called Rumi Café and Grill, has opened in Bloomfield this year, per Patch. The menu is inspired by the rich culinary traditions of countries like Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon. Some menu items include gyros, kebabs, wraps, seafood, meats, and choices of teas, smoothies, and desserts.
Sarah Elizabeth Designs | 516 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Sarah Elizabeth is an upscale interior designer based in Montclair, New Jersey, specializing in opulent yet practical interiors. Sarah Elizabeth Design is a company that takes clients through the interior design process from the initial space planning, through the design phase, to the final installation. Mixing classical and contemporary designs, Sarah can deliver curated spaces at her shop.
Solano (pop-up) | 484 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Some of you may be familiar with The Claridge located at 484 Bloomfield Avenue. Well, if you take a look inside the lobby, expect to find the Salono gift shop. The shop sells a combination of jewelry, fashion, and home goods created by women throughout Mexico. Some offerings include multicolor textiles, infinite textures of palm, mud from the hills, and pre-Hispanic and baroque flavors. To represent Mexican history, some items are made with coal, clay, and fine leather.
Starr Therapy | 18-20 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair
Starr Therapy has just opened its second location at 18-20 Lackawanna Plaza in Montclair. With services, including adult, couple, and child therapy, Starr Therapy can reach a wide variety of community needs. The therapy style is aimed toward engaging the patient in identifying, confronting, and managing their individual needs.
Sweetgreen | 460 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Montclair has welcomed another healthy option in town this year. Sweetgreen, a popular salad chain that originated in Washington, D.C., opened at 460 Bloomfield Avenue. Some of its menu highlights include a miso bowl with blackened chicken, miso root vegetables, shredded cabbage, basil, roasted almonds, shredded kale, warm wild rice, and miso sesame ginger dressing; and a chicken pesto parm bowl with roasted chicken, spicy broccoli, tomatoes, shaved parmesan, za’atar breadcrumbs, warm quinoa, baby spinach, Sweetgreen hot sauce, and pesto vinaigrette.
The Juice House | 10 North Willow Street, Montclair
The Juice House is a local brand with five locations across New Jersey. This juice, smoothie, and bowl eatery has opened a storefront in Montclair at 10 North Willow Street. The menu encompasses a selection of juices, smoothies, and bowls with acai, pitaya, coconut, and banana bases.
Tribeca Pediatrics | 314-316 Orange Road, Montclair
Tribeca Pediatrics is a pediatric healthcare network with over 40 small neighborhood offices in the New York City metro area. The practice has opened a Montclair location in the historic South End neighborhood at 314-316 Orange Road. This practice has been caring for kids for over 30 years and provides same-day visits, weekend appointments, and 24/7 access to virtual medical advice.
Venture Studios | 333 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Venture Studios is a new photography studio located at 333 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. However, Venture Studios specializes in a specific kind of photography- family. The studio captures a family’s story and then it goes through a design team to create the pieces and even frame them.
Vivid Visions | 16 Church Street, Montclair
Vivid Visions is a professional psychic and chakra business that aims to enhance spiritual well-being. Located at 16 Church Street, Vivid Visions provides psychic readings for relationships, career, and personal growth. Vivid Visions specializes in chakra balancing, a practice that harmonizes the body’s vital energy centers. The practitioners identify blockages or imbalances within the chakras and provide techniques to restore energy flow as well as promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
See More: New Pizzeria Ovale Soft Opens Hoboken
Walnut Street Bagels + Co | 98 Walnut Street, Montclair
When Harvey’s Handrolled Bagels at 98 Walnut Street in Montclair closed its doors, the space was replaced with a new bagel concept, Walnut Street Bagels and Co, the following week. The new bagel shop is a part of the same company as Walnut Street Kitchen and Walnut Street Bakery in Montclair + a former partner of the owner Harvey at Harvey’s Handrolled Bagels. As former partners, the ingredients used largely overlap with those of Harvey’s Handrolled Bagels. One of the new menu highlights for Walnut Street Bagels and Co. is its Filipino-inspired breakfast sandwich on an onion bagel which includes a longaniza sausage patty, fried egg, hash brown, pickled red onion, banana ketchup, and roasted black garlic cream cheese.
Wine + Design | 1 Greenwood Avenue, Montclair
Wine + Design, situated at 1 Greenwood Avenue. Wine & Design is a place where guests can enjoy BYOB paint + sip, after-school art for children, birthday parties, team-building events, DIY, and fundraisers.
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