Montclair is a vibrant and unique town that would not be what it is without the amazing people who make it up. This month, The Montclair Girl is highlighting five of these individuals within the Montclair area because it truly wouldn’t be the same without them. Keep reading for a list of five Montclair locals to watch this July + beyond.
Brianna Sebasto | Founder of Brianna’s Nutrition Kitchen
Photo Credit: Brianna’s Nutrition Kitchen
Chef and Founder Brianna Sebasto is the face behind Brianna’s Nutrition Kitchen (BNK). She started BNK after noticing many people who struggled with making healthy food on a daily basis. Her company, BNK, works with clients individually to identify their personal needs and dietary requirements in order to live a healthier lifestyle. Her company’s goal is to create meals perfectly suited for the client’s nourishment and pleasure.
Read More: People to Watch: LGBTQ+ Community Leaders in Montclair
Mike Ayers | Editor, Writer, + Journalist
Photo Credit: Mike Ayers
Mike Ayers published his first byline in 2004 in billboard, and has since written for a plethora of national publications including Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair, and Esquire, just to name a few. He is currently the executive editor at Money.com and is also an award-winning author of the book One Last Song which was picked for Best Book for Fall 2020 by Time Magazine and a Best Music Book of the Year by Variety. Readers can keep an eye out for his next book, Sharing in the Groove: The Untold Story of the ’90s Jam Band Explosion and the Scene That Followed, which is set to be published on July 22nd, 2025.
Meera Mehta | Founder of Novel Futures
Photo Credit: Meera Mehta
Meera Mehta is a Glen Ridge High School student with a major love of reading. Meera started with a book drive in 9th grade and realized that many kids were struggling with reading and writing post-pandemic. She took it upon herself to found Novel Futures, an organization she started to boost literacy skills for New Jersey kids. Novel Futures has distributed over 30,000 books to underserved families and schools. The organization also has a BookFinder tool to help children find stories that reflect diverse perspectives, and hosts free writing workshops to show children that their voices and stories matter.
“I’ve seen a preschooler’s face light up after receiving a book to start their home library, and a third-grader smile with pride after writing a story of their own,” Meera told The Montclair Girl.“That’s what led me to start Novel-Futures.org – to help more kids experience that initial spark. A single book or story can open the door to endless possibilities.”
Nancy Laboz | Founder + Owner of Parcel
Photo Credit: Nancy Laboz
Nancy Laboz is the founder and owner of Parcel, a stationery and vintage store in Montclair. The definition of Parcel is “a present, a package; a collection of things.” Since her childhood, Nancy has embodied the meaning of Parcel through her love for collecting all things curious, from old papers to forgotten photographs and other trinkets. Before owning Parcel, Nancy was an accessories editor and stylist at Real Simple, among other magazines. When she opened Parcel at 608 Bloomfield Avenue in the Summer of 2003, Nancy’s childhood dreams came full circle, and she has since moved the store, bringing the Parcel magic to 11 Park Street.
See More: 10 LGBTQ+ Community Leaders Doing Amazing Things in the Hoboken + Jersey City
Kevin Zaballero + Deborah Wang | Owners of Bánh Voyage
View this post on Instagram
Kevin Zaballero and Deborah Wang are the duo behind Bánh Voyage, a Vietnamese cafe that is opening soon inside Watchung Booksellers. Kevin is also the owner of Local Coffee, just around the corner in Watchung Plaza. The team shares a love of Vietnamese cuisine and has the shared goal to create Vietnamese food that is approachable for all palates.
A Guide to Pet Grooming in the Montclair Area
Few things compare to the refreshed feeling after a haircut. It’s the same for the pups in our lives - they need grooming too. With many choices for dog groomers and salons in Essex County, it’s important to find one who is a good match for your pet’s needs and personality. Read on for more information about dog groomers and salons in the Montclair + Essex County area.
All Breed Cat + Dog Grooming | 296 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
All Breed Cat + Dog Grooming is located near the corner of Bloomfield Avenue + Malvern Place. The Salon specializes in dog grooming + dog sitting. Currently, this salon isn’t taking on new clients. However, those interested are encouraged to leave a message via the answering service to receive contact when an opening becomes available.
Read More: A List of Dog-Friendly Places in Montclair
City Dog Spa + Boutique | 551 Valley Road, Upper Montclair
View this post on Instagram
Located on Valley Road, City Dog Spa + Boutique is about a 2-minute walk from Upper Montclair’s Starbucks, making this location a work-from-home dream. Clients can drop their dog off and know they will receive a spa-like treatment. City Dog Spa + Boutique is cage-free and opts to use pet suites instead of cages to keep pups as stress-free as possible. This salon is full of passionate dog groomers who are available by appointment only.
Fluff Pup Grooming | 255 Hoover Avenue, Bloomfield
Fluff Pup Grooming is located on Hoover Avenue near Pulaski Park. Services available include as relaxing baths, nail trimming, hair cutting, ear cleaning, + more. This salon also has toys and treats available, in case the owner wants to treat their well-behaved pups. Be sure to check out its website or call for more information on free Fluff Pup photo shoots.
Nina's Grooming Salon | 49 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
Owner Leslie named this salon after her dog, Nina. Leslie took over the business in March 2024. e. The storefront is located near the corner of Franklin Avenue + Stager Street. Grooming is made by appointment and includes lush services like 1-on-1 time with pups, cage-free drying sessions, and grooming by the owner every time.
Noelle's Grooming Salon | 188 Prospect Street, Nutley
Noelle’s Grooming Salon is located near the corner of Prospect Street + Stager Street. This family-owned + operated salon is about an 8-minute walk from the Nutley Diner, making it a great spot to stroll around the town, and grab a bite to eat while waiting for a furry friend to finish getting pampered. The salon provides services for grooming, pet sitting, + dog walking.
Paws + Thank you | Virtual + In-home
Paws + Thank You provides a slightly different type of service than others on this list. Dog groomer, Tomoko, has several training + grooming certifications. Grooming services include a Meet + Greet and Fear Free In-Home Grooming. There are also sessions available to help with personalized grooming, like Grooming Foundations sessions, which take dog owners through the process of creating a step-by-step guide to get pups ready for a stress-free experience. Training services are also available in-home or virtually.
Puppies + Tattoos | 116 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Puppies + Tattoos is not a tattoo parlor, despite its name, but a grooming spot for pups. Puppies + Tattoos provides services like baths, haircuts, nail trimmings, and ear cleanings.
Ruff to Fluff Bar | 127 Valley Road, Montclair
View this post on Instagram
Located on Valley Road, this “open concept grooming salon” allows owners to be part of the process of grooming their dogs. Refreshments + a workspace are provided for customers. Pricing can be found on its website, however, Ruff to Fluff also encourages those curious to call for further information, as every pup is different. There is also an additional location in Jersey City at 580 Palisade Avenue.
See More: Woof Gang Bakery + Grooming to Take Over Former Giorgio’s Space in Hoboken
Style N' Canine Pet Services | 46 Chatham Road, Short Hills
Style N’ Canine Pet Services is located near the corner of Chatham Road + Woodland Road. The location is about a one-minute walk from the Short Hills train station. This salon prides itself on accepting + grooming all dogs regardless of size. A phone number is listed on its Facebook page (973-433-9665) to inquire further about appointments + pricing.
