Samantha Impaglia 
There are so many locals doing incredible things in the Montclair area, it’s hard to keep track. For the month of September, The Montclair Girl is highlighting five of these amazing individuals. Keep reading to learn more about five Montclair locals who are doing awesome things this September and beyond.
Bart Pelewicz | Founder of Mystical Adventure
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Bart Pelewicz is a Montclair resident who creates handcrafted fairy pots for home gardens. The inspiration for his work is to “create a little bit of magic into our hectic lives,” and his ultimate goal is to open up a gift shop in the Montclair area where he can showcase and sell his work. Bart told The Montclair Girl that his favorite thing about North Jersey is the people (and we can attest to that).
Bart’s favorite local spots: pastaRAMEN, Montclair Library, Qahwah Coffee
Local businesses Bart looks up to: The Green Room
Keep up with Bart and Mystical Adventure on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Read More: This Fairfield Non-Profit Supports Individuals With Intellectual + Developmental Disabilities
Desh Amila | Founder of Thinkable
Photo Credit: Desh Amila
Desh Amila is an entrepreneur, producer, and educator who is originally from Sri Lanka. He founded his company, Think Inc, while living in Melbourne, Australia in 2011, and now resides in Bloomfield. Think Inc is “the world’s first touring company to exclusively tour internationally recognized educators, thought-leaders and scientists,” and hosts all kinds of community events to educate and connect with locals. The pandemic led Desh to also launch This is 42, a multimedia platform that hosts “influential thinkers.” In 2024, Desh co-founded DissidentDialogues — the “world’s largest heterodox intellectual event.” He has also produced multiple award winning documentaries, including Better Left Unsaid and Islam and the Future of Tolerance.
With a desire to inspire, Desh told The Montclair Girl that he is on a mission to educate, entertain and enhance the lives of those he connects with. “If even one person walks away from a Thinkable event feeling a bit more open-minded, their curiosity sparked, or more confident in challenging easy answers; honestly, that makes all the work worthwhile.” His goal is create a unique community space right here in Montclair where locals can gather as a community, have authentic conversations, and be “a space where we don’t shy away from tough topics or the big, complex questions that plague the world today.”
On what he admires about North Jersey, Desh said that he loves the vibrant culture, strong community, and creativity of our little corner of New Jersey. “There’s always something happening, from flea markets and festivals to live summer music. Beyond the events, it’s the people. This is a place where people are willing and able to engage in profound philosophical, scientific and political conversations without losing sight of one another’s humanity.”
Desh’s favorite local spots: “Brookdale Park, hands down. I take my toddler for a walk there every afternoon. It’s become a ritual and my favorite part of the day. The park is beautiful year-round, but it really comes alive in the summer with the art fair, live music, and that unmistakable sense of community.”
Local businesses Desh looks up to: “Zane Keyes from Keycuts. He is a deeply curious mind I’ve had many a great conversations with. I also admire his hustle.”
Keep up with Desh and Thinkable on the website, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
Lacey Triplett Thistle | Owner of Middle Child Kids Consignment
Photo Credit: Lacey Triplett Thistle
Lacey Triplett Thistle is a Montclair resident and the owner of Middle Child Kids Consignment, an online secondhand clothing store for kids. With a background in media production, Lacey told The Montclair Girl that she “pivoted toward work that allows me to engage with and contribute more directly to my local community.” She started Middle Child to promote sustainable shopping and create a curated, high-quality secondhand experience that she was searching for as a parent herself. Local parents can consign with Lacey directly in Montclair, and all items are available to shop online for local pickup or nationwide shipping.
Her goal is to “help families clear out the outgrown clothes piling up at home and give those items a second life — while also helping others find stylish, gently-used kids’ clothing at a fraction of retail prices.” She is inspired by other parents, recognizing that parenthood is an incredible journey that can be both rewarding and overwhelming. The kindness and support from local parents when she moved to the area made lasting connections for Lacey, and led her to shift towards a more community-focused path. She hopes to inspire local parents to embrace secondhand shopping for their kids and make sustainable choices along the way. “Whether it’s offering a convenient, low-cost way to shop for kids, promoting sustainable practices, helping clear out closets full of outgrown clothes, or putting money back in parents’ pockets — I’m driven by the idea of making life just a little bit easier for families.” She also looks to other small businesses and local organizations who can help her promote the brand even further in a creative way.
Growing up in Texas Hill Country where you “could drive seven hours in any direction and still be in the same state,” Lacey loves how North Jersey is just a stone’s throw away from NYC, the Jersey Shore, the Catskills, and other major cities, while still being able to enjoy everyday adventures right at home.
Lacey’s favorite local spots: “If I had to narrow it down, my most frequently visited local spots right now are Paper Plane Coffee Co., Teglia Pizza Bar, Acorn General Store, Rabbit Rabbit, and Watchung Booksellers: The Kids’ Room. I honestly can’t get enough of any of them.”
Local businesses Lacey looks up to: “I really admire what Jennifer Caramma has built with her store, Salt Air{e} Collective. It’s my go-to spot in Montclair for clothing and one of my favorite places to shop for gifts. Jennifer hand-dyes many of the textile items herself, and her shop features products from dozens of women-owned brands. She always makes me feel so welcome when I stop by — highly recommend.”
“I also look up to Maddie Ciliotta-Young, the owner of Watchung Booksellers. Both the main store and The Kids’ Room are a joy to visit, with thoughtful selections and robust programming. I’m always impressed by their deep community presence, and Maddie is a fantastic leader who’s clearly passionate about what she does.”
Keep up with Lacey and Middle Child Kids Consignment on the website and Instagram.
Micaela Aldridge | Opera Singer + Voice Teacher
Photo Credit: Micah Gleason Photography
Micaela Aldridge is a Montclair native and classically-trained opera and voice teacher currently living in Bloomfield. She teaches individual private voice lessons from her home studio for anyone ages 12 and up, has a Bachelors and Masters degree in music, and is currently working towards her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Rutgers. Through her lessons, she hopes to pass on the loving and educational environment that she experienced with former voice teachers.
As a voice teacher, I strive to create a positive, supportive space where singers of all levels can build confidence and grow,” she told The Montclair Girl. “Whether someone is just starting lessons or returning after a break, my goal is to help them find their voice and enjoy the process.”
Micaela’s teaching focuses on healthy, effective, and empowering vocal technique and performance skills, all tailored to the student’s individual goals. With experience in many musical styles — from classical to pop — she helps students develop strong vocal habits while exploring the music they love.
Since she spent her childhood in Montclair, Micaela knows that the area’s restaurant scene is “incomparable to a lot of other metro areas,” and loves how she can experience so many different cultures through cuisines in the North Jersey area.
Micaela’s favorite local spots: “I love hiking through both Mills and Eagle Rock reservations. My new favorite pizza around here is Brick & Dough, and I have a lot of sentimentality with Hot Bagels Abroad (on Valley Road). For alcohol, I enjoy an Apex Predator beer at Egan’s.”
Local businesses Micaela looks up to: “Berekti Mengistu, the owner of Mesob. She started her restaurant with the hopes of challenging the stereotype that Ethiopia is full of starving children, and now she runs the hottest spot in Montclair for over 20 years.”
Keep up with Micaela her website and Instagram.
See More: 10 Hoboken + Jersey City Locals to Watch in September 2025
Ximena Sofia Bravo | Owner of Planta Organic Juice Bar
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Ximena Sofia Bravo is the owner of Planta Organic Juice Bar, Montclair’s newest destination for locally-sourced organic juice. Growing up in Ecuador, she was immersed in a world of organic fruits and vegetables, which created a lifelong passion for nutrition and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle. After moving to the US to attend Montclair State University and earning a degree in business administration, Sofia found herself inspired to venture into the world of juice bars — and Planta Organic Juice Bar was born.
The storefront, which she runs alongside her brother, opened on August 1st and serves USDA-certified organic juices that are sourced from local farmers. In developing the menu, Sofia takes inspiration from the fresh flavors of her Ecuadorian upbringing as well as the popular flavors and textures she encountered when visiting Korea during the pandemic.
Sofia’s decision to establish a juice bar in Montclair was influenced by her 15-year residency in the town, where she personally experienced the limited availability of organic juices and smoothies. “I had to go to neighboring towns to buy an organic juice or smoothie and so I feel this business aligns very well with Montclair’s character,” she told The Montclair Girl.
Keep up with Sofia and Planta Organic Juice Bar on the website and Instagram.
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