The Montclair Girl Team 
This August, the news isn’t stopping for anyone in the Montclair area, not even vacationers. It’s been another busy week in Essex County, and we’ve got all the Montclair news to keep you up to date. Among the highlights: a new vegetable-forward restaurant, Sam’s Table, plans to open in Montclair this September; Crystal Lake, a new Friday the 13th sequel starring Linda Cardellini, was seen filming at Rutt’s Hutt in Clifton; and global lecture series CreativeMornings is set to launch its first New Jersey Chapter at Lackawanna Station in Montclair. Read on for all the news in Montclair and the surrounding Essex County towns for the week ending August 10th, 2025.
Have a news story or press release? Email it to [email protected] and we’ll consider it for coverage.
Among the Headlines (read on for full stories):
- GoFundMe Launched to Help Raise Funds for Ahava Felicidad Following Studio Fire
- New Vegetable-Forward Restaurant, Sam’s Table, Opening in Montclair This September
- Crystal Lake, Starring Linda Cardellini, Filming at Rutt’s Hutt in Clifton
- Adam Sandler Visits 15 New Jersey Restaurants (And Counting)
- CreativeMornings to Launch First NJ Chapter at Lackawanna Station in Montclair
- How to Prep for a Hurricane in the Montclair Area
- Construction Begins on New Non-Profit Facility in South Orange
- New BBQ Delivery Truck Pendragon’s Smokehouse Opens in Montclair
- Toll Now Required Before Leaving Connie Chung Service Area in Bloomfield
- Annual Hilltop Grasshopper Kids Bike Race Returns to Verona on 9/6
GoFundMe Launched to Help Raise Funds for Ahava Felicidad
Following Studio Fire
On Tuesday, July 29th, a fire broke out at Ahava Felicidad Hair + Body, located at 4 Midland Avenue, Montclair. According to a GoFundMe created by local resident Antoinette Martin, the fire of unknown origin destroyed most of the owner, Ahava Felicidad’s, studio and belongings. The GoFundMe aims to collect $7,000 to help her replace business essentials, and as of this writing, the community has contributed about $4,600.
New Vegetable-Forward Restaurant, Sam’s Table, Opening in Montclair
This September
Photo Credit: Rob Yascovic
A new Montclair restaurant, Sam’s Table, will open in the former Tasca space this September. Located at 377 Bloomfield Avenue, the eatery will serve vegetable-forward, modern American flavors that change every two weeks, based on the freshest local farm flavors. Click here for more.
Crystal Lake, Starring Linda Cardellini, Filming at Rutt’s Hutt in Clifton
Crystal Lake, a new Friday the 13th prequel series, is currently filming at Rutt’s Hutt, a hot dog restaurant located at 417 River Road in Clifton. The film, starring Linda Cardellini, is planned to be released via Peacock in 2026. The restaurant announced via social media that it would be closed from Monday, August 4th, through Sunday, August 10th, and reopening on Monday, August 11th. Click here for more.
Adam Sandler Visits 15 New Jersey Restaurants (And Counting)
Adam Sandler has been having himself a classic New Jersey summer while filming Roommates, the latest Netflix project from his production company, Happy Madison Productions. Since late June, the actor has been spotted all over the Garden State, including at Montclair High School, Nana’s Deli in Livingston, Paper Lantern in Montclair, Benny Tudino’s in Hoboken, and, more recently, Montclair State University. Click here for more.
CreativeMornings to Launch First NJ Chapter at Lackawanna Station in Montclair
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CreativeMornings, “the largest face-to-face creative community in the world,” according to a statement from the RecRoom, is launching its first-ever New Jersey chapter in Montclair. This will be a free monthly lecture series featuring “a local speaker, a global theme, and a whole lot of caffeine-fueled inspiration,” taking place at the RecRoom, located in Lackawanna Plaza at 1 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair. The first event is scheduled for Friday, August 22nd, from 9AM to 11AM, where Montclair-based showrunner, executive producer, and founder of TeamSheed Productions, Rasheed J. Daniel, will speak. Register at this link.
How to Prep for a Hurricane in the Montclair Area
Hurricane season, which typically runs from June 1st through November 30th, with most of New Jersey’s storm activity occurring between August and late October, is expected to be higher-than-average in 2025. According to the National Oceanic + Atmospheric Administration‘s May 2025 report, there will be 13 to 19 named storms, with 6-10 predicted to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher). Click here for how to prepare in the Montclair area.
Construction Begins on New Facility for Local Non-Profit in South Orange
The Essex County non-profit Jespy House, which has “supported adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 45 years,” per its website, has begun construction on a new facility in South Orange at the Cooperman Family Campus. The Jespy Center, slated to complete construction by the end of 2026, will feature 20 aging-in-place units, 26 affordable apartments, and dedicated spaces for vocational training, health and wellness programs, and clinical and behavioral support services, according to Jersey Digs.
New BBQ Delivery Truck, Pendragon’s Smokehouse, Opens in Montclair
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A new BBQ delivery food truck has begun serving local diners in Montclair. Pendragon’s Smokehouse first announced its arrival at the MTC in February 2025, and it started accepting deliveries in the Montclair area on July 10th, with plans to expand to more North New Jersey towns in the future, per its website. The menu includes options like jerk chicken, rice + peas, sour pickles, and more.
Toll Now Required Before Leaving Connie Chung Service Area in Bloomfield
Thanks to a new traffic pattern setup, the toll at the Watchung Avenue exit in Bloomfield is now required when leaving the Connie Chung Service Area, located at Milepost 152.9, Garden State Parkway. While the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, which owns and operates the Connie Chung Service Area, has yet to give a reason for the change as of this writing, some speculate it’s aimed at stopping local drivers from exiting at the service area and cutting through Broad Street to avoid paying the toll, according to Fox 5.
Annual Hilltop Grasshopper Kids Bike Race Returns to Verona on 9/6
Verona’s annual Hilltop Grasshopper Kids Bike Race, geared towards children in grades K-5, will take place on September 6th, 2025. It will begin and end on the rail trail near the Robert J O’Toole Community Center, located at 199 Fairview Avenue, Cedar Grove. Registration for this community event is now open.
Montclair Seeking Community Input on Potential Shuttle Bus Service
Montclair is seeking residents’ input on whether a jitney bus or shuttle bus is needed in the community. According to a statement from the township, Montclair previously provided two different shuttle bus services: a jitney bus to Bay Street Station and a Senior Shuttle Bus loop. “The goal is not only to assess whether there is a need for a shuttle bus service, but also to understand what the residents’ specific needs are,” Montclair said. View the survey here.
Construction Underway for New University Hospital Building in Newark
Construction has kicked off for a new administrative and clinical facility building at University Hospital’s Newark health campus, located at 150 Bergen Street. In partnership with Rutgers University, demolition of buildings six through 16 in the Administrative Complex began in early July. The building, expected to include a large parking area on Bergen Street + 12th Avenue, is slated to open in 2027. “This marks the first steps in a sweeping multi-year, multi-phase plan to expand the hospital, modernize healthcare infrastructure across the Newark campus shared by the Hospital and Rutgers Health, and provide increased access to high-quality care for city residents and the broader region,” University Hospital said in a statement.
Local Resident in the Top 20 Nationwide for Toddler of the Year Award
Photo Credit: Blaire Catherine
Logan, a toddler from Montclair, is currently in the running for Hasbro’s Toddler of the Year Award for 2025. Blaire Catherine, Logan’s mom, shared with The Montclair Girl that he is in the top 20, competing with toddlers nationwide. The winner will receive $25,000, and Logan’s family says that if he wins, they plan to donate the prize to worthy causes. “…We would split the award between Children’s Hospitals (every kid deserves a happy, healthy life) and ASPCA (every kid should grow up with a dog/cat),” Logan’s voting page says. Locals can vote for Logan here.
Photography Exhibit Now on Display at Montclair Public Library
“The Unifying Atmosphere of the Skate Park” is the photography exhibit now on display at Montclair Public Library, located at 50 South Fullerton Avenue. Created by Essex Fells artist David Schlosser, this exhibit will stay on display in the library’s gallery through August 29th, 2025. “In this series, I explore the skate park as more than just a backdrop for tricks and scraped knees — it’s a space of raw democracy, unscripted performance, and silent solidarity,” David shared with Patch.
North Caldwell + Verona Receive Loans to Update Aging Water Infrastructure
New Jersey Water Bank has given North Caldwell a $1.7 million loan and Verona a $1.9 million loan to update the towns’ aging water infrastructure. North Caldwell will use the funds to replace around 3,000 feet of its water main in the areas of East Greenbrook Road, Central Avenue, and Mountain Place. Verona plans to construct a pumping station meant to alleviate water pressure issues in higher elevation areas of the town.
Montclair Township Pools Now Open Daily
Beginning August 11th, Essex Pool at 21 Greenwood Avenue, Mountainside Pool on Upper Mountain Avenue, and Nishuane Pool on Cedar Avenue will be open daily, rather than weekends only, from 11AM to 7PM. Mountainside and Nishuane will close for the season on September 1st, and Essex on August 17th, per a Montclair Township statement.
Five Candidates to Run for Montclair School Board Election in 2025
Five candidates have filed petitions to run for the three open seats on the Montclair Board of Education. Running in the November 4th, 2025, general election are Milt Horowitz, Kerri McMahon, incumbents Yvonne Bouknight and Brian Fleischer, and former board member Sean Long, per Montclair Local.
East Orange Back-to-School Community Resource Fair Happening on 8/21
The annual East Orange Back to School Community Resource Fair will take place at City Hall, located at 44 City Hall Plaza, on Thursday, August 21st, this year. From 5PM to 7PM, local residents can expect free haircuts, bouncy houses, a gaming truck, live music, career services, and a bookbag giveaway, per TapInto East Orange.
Montclair Public Library Installs New HVAC System on Third Floor
A new HVAC system has been installed on the third floor of the Montclair Public Library, located at 50 South Fullerton Avenue. The system now features a new chiller, boilers, and smart thermostats, according to Montclair Local.
Montclair High School Seniors Shadow Doctors at
Mountainside Medical Center
This summer, 10 incoming high school seniors in Montclair participated in the Weston Health Internship Program, a free program that exposes students interested in a career in healthcare to various fields of medicine. As part of the program, these students shadowed doctors at Mountainside Medical Center, located at 1 Bay Avenue in Montclair, and learned about fields like emergency medicine, maternity, oncology, radiology, and physical therapy, according to Montclair Local.
