Samantha Impaglia 
New businesses are always entering the mix here in the Montclair area, and it’s been a busy summer of welcoming all of the newcomers. From a bracelet bar founded by an NJ native to a Japanese restaurant from an Iron Chef, we’ve rounded up 21 new businesses in the Montclair, Nutley, Maplewood, and Essex County area that are worth checking out. Read on for a list of new businesses in Montclair and Essex County this summer 2025.
Bacarosa | 238 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
In late July, The Hudson Rose in Nutley announced that it would close and then transform into a new restaurant, and Bacarosa was born. It officially opened on August 14th, and blends laid-back elegance with a dash of playfulness, serving wood-fired pizza from a Fiero Forni oven, handmade seasonal pastas, and bold, large-format dishes from Chef Andrew Riccatelli.
Bánh Voyage | 54 Fairfield Street, Montclair
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Bánh Voyage is a Vietnamese cafe that opened in the former da Pepo space this July. The owners also own Local Coffee down the street. Alongside Vietnamese coffee and a specialty drink menu, guests can expect food items like banh mi sandwiches (usually served on a Vietnamese baguette with protein like pork and other goodies), vermicelli bowls, and rice plates, among other dishes.
Read More: New Vegetable-Forward Restaurant, Sam’s Table, Opening in Montclair This September
Bao Dumplings + Bao Tea | 510 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
Photo Credit: Bao Dumplings + Bao Tea
Bao Dumplings + Bao Tea is Verona’s newest restaurant. Self-proclaimed as ” the best NJ dumplings,” this spot serves a menu of dumplings, buns, wontons, and more, all made from scratch. The Verona storefront is the eatery’s fourth Garden State location and opened in late July.
Chef Chen’s Sushi | 97 Walnut Street, Montclair
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Chef Chen’s is a new sushi restaurant that opened its doors on May 28th. The restaurant took over the former Le Salbuen space, which closed its doors in March 2025 after 10 years in town. The menu features maki rolls, fresh sashimi, tempura, and more.
Lackawanna Station | 1 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair
The new Lackawanna Station officially opened its doors on June 21st. The space now boasts over 20 new businesses, including Montclair Flea, Ironbound Farm Market, and The Little Shops, among many others. Read all about them here.
Last Minute Market | 102 Walnut Street, Montclair
Montclair recently welcomed a new specialty market: Last Minute Market. The store aims to provide specialty items that aren’t easy to find, last-minute essentials, and fun food items. Along with grocery products, there’s also a coffee bar from Paper Plane Coffee Co., and hot breakfast sandwiches are available for patrons to grab on the go. The shop, owned by Montclair residents Lindsay and Jason Rosenthal, who also own Brick + Dough, soft-opened on August 16th.
Little Words Project | 1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills
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Little Words Project, a jewelry company known for its bead bars where customers can build and personalize their bracelets, opened another location at The Mall at Short Hills, located at 1200 Morris Turnpike, on May 3rd. The franchise, founded by New Jersey native Adriana Carrig, has locales all across the country. The new Short Hills location marks its second New Jersey site.
Maker Pizza | 171 Forest Street, Montclair
Maker Pizza, which opened in July, is the creation of brothers Fahri, Mustafa, and Ahmet Demirpence. The spot has an extensive and diverse menu — from the traditional plain pie to the Philly Cheesesteak pizza, veggie pizza, General Tso’s chicken pizza, and the new Mike’s Hot pizza featuring Mike’s Hot Honey. Four styles of pizza are available, including specialty round 12-inch pizzas, specialty square 16-inch pizzas, Detroit-style pizzas, and gluten-free pizzas.
MM by Morimoto | 193 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
The long-awaited Montclair restaurant, owned and operated by the world-renowned Iron Chef, Masaharu Morimoto, opened in Montclair on July 30th. MM by Morimoto is located in the former Maddox and Musuko space and serves Japanese cuisine. Some highlights include the omakase bar with fish flown from Japan, Japanese and Australian Wagyu, USDA Prime steak, and signature dishes like tuna pizza, Toro Tartare, and A5 Wagyu Carpaccio.
Pallet Brewing Company | 30 Newark Way, Maplewood
Pallet Brewing, which opened in early July, serves over seven crafted beers that are made in-house at the Maplewood locale. The space is in a unique industrial setting that is modern, colorful, and full of life. The brewery’s beers are organized by color, which corresponds to each type of beer, creating a cohesive look with the vibrant colors on the walls and merchandise.
Pilates Please | 24 Little Falls Road Unit D, Fairfield
Pilates Please is a new Muslim women-owned and focused Pilates studio in Fairfield. This spot officially opened in late May and bills itself as a safe space for women. It is also the first-ever Pilates studio in Fairfield.
Pilatte | 35 Belden Place Suite #10, Montclair
Pilatte is a new women-only, hijab-friendly Pilates studio in Montclair. The fitness space hosts women-only reformer and mat pilates classes, and provides the option to purchase coffee drinks before and after a workout. To ensure an environment where women feel safe and comfortable, doors are locked with curtains down during classes, and there is a strict no-recording policy. The space opened on June 27th.
Planta Organic Juice Bar | 131 Pine Street, Montclair
Photo Credit: Ximena Sofia Bravo
Planta Organic Juice Bar, formerly Papaya Organic Juice Bar, opened on Friday, August 1st. The juice bar serves a variety of locally-sourced and organic juice options showcasing the area’s fruits and vegetables.
Propagate Art Studio | 41 Church Street, Montclair
Acorn General Store launched an art supply outpost from the Warren-based art studio + art supply thrift shop, Propagate Studio, on May 31st. The shop operates on a “take what you’ll use, pay-what-you-can” model. Visitors can browse a curated selection of gently used and new art supplies, from paints and sketchbooks to brushes and collage materials, all available with flexible pricing.
Roast’d Coffee | 49 Claremont Avenue, Montclair
Roast’d Coffee, a Hasbrouck Heights-based coffee spot with other locations in Fort Lee, Jersey City, and Nanuet, New York, opened its fifth outpost in Montclair this August. The cafe serves specialty coffee beverages and pastries, and it roasts its beans on-site.
The Saint Clair | 32 Church Street, Montclair
Photo Credit: D&G Interiors + Design
The Saint Clair took over the former Scala del Nonna space and opened on July 30th. The restaurant is run by Top Chef Season 19 contestant Chef Leia Gaccione and focuses on New American eats. Some of the dishes on the menu include cast-iron cornbread, potato-crusted monkfish, dry-aged beef burgers, and more.
Somedays Bakery | 260 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
Photo Credit: Mike Chau
Somedays Bakery is owned and operated by the team behind Chip City, and officially opened its doors on June 27th after announcing its arrival to Montclair earlier this year. The Parisian cafe specializes in artisanal croissants and other bakery treats.
See More: An Ongoing List of New Businesses in Hoboken + Jersey City for 2025
Valley Mart Convenience + Fresh Food | 146 Valley Road, Montclair
Valley Mart Convenience + Fresh Food, a new deli and convenience store, opened in the former QuickChek space at 146 Valley Road in Montclair in late July. Aiming to be a one-stop shop, Valley Mart, open 24 hours a day, sells breakfast sandwiches, wraps, salads, grocery items, pet food, and more.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream | 35 Main Street, Millburn
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Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, known for its artisanal dairy (and dairy-free) creations, opened its newest location in Millburn back in May. The Millburn site is now Van Leeuwen’s fourth New Jersey location, with the first being in the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, the second on Grove Street in Jersey City, and the third coming soon to Washington Street in Hoboken.
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