Parisa Burton 
A taste of Italy is coming to Church Street in Montclair and no, it’s not another restaurant this time. Oggi Gelato, an Italian gelateria spot, will be moving into the former Oasis clothing store space at 40 Church Street. This marks the brand’s first New Jersey location and adds to its international footprint of locations worldwide. Read on to learn more about Oggi Gelato and its expansion to Montclair, NJ.
Oggi Gelato’s Italian Roots
Oggi Gelato is an Italian gelateria founded by Carmelo Chiaramida and brought to the United States by Italian-born restaurateurs Maurizio and Graziano Ricci, owners of the Romanacci restaurant group. The global brand has locations in Italy, the United States, Spain, Chile, and Greece, serving traditional Italian gelato made with high-quality ingredients and artisanal techniques.
Oggi Gelato currently has two U.S locations in Norwalk and Fairfield, Connecticut, with a third one on its way to Trumbull this May. Montclair will host the brand’s first ever non-Connecticut U.S. location, and the first New Jersey location.
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Oggi Gelato first began in Sicily, and its flavors are inspired by the owners’ travels, where they seek out the world’s finest ingredients to create fresh, authentic gelato. Their recipes are made without preservatives, artificial colorings, or saturated fats, and they intentionally partner with suppliers who share the same commitment to quality and purity.
Ricci told Connecticut Insider that, unlike typical ice cream shops where the flavors are displayed in freezer cases, the gelato is kept in airtight containers to maintain its flavor and texture, remaining a mystery to the customer until it is scooped.
In addition to its Italian locations in Udine, Trieste, Pordenone, and Rome, the brand also operates in cities such as Barcelona, Santiago, and Athens.
Church Street Space
Oggi Gelato previewed its upcoming Montclair location with a short Instagram video, inviting followers in the comments to catch on to the precise location in Montclair.
Any Church Street regular might have also recognized that the new Oggi Gelato location will be moving into the former Oasis clothing store space, which officially closed down in December 2025 after 20 years in business.
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Oasis was founded by Rafi Rachman in 1981, and the shop has had several locations throughout the years, including Soho, Englewood, Ridgewood, before finally settling in Montclair in 2007. The store was managed by his wife, Dorit, who was known for offering personalized assistance and thoughtful recommendations to customers.
Oasis was a longtime favorite among Montclair locals and visitors, known for its color and season-based organization, with its newest inventory displayed at the center of the shop. It carried a wide range of items, from matching sets and everyday basics to going-out dresses and jewelry.
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The Oggi Gelato storefront also has an in-person teaser on its door that reads: “Ciao Montclair! We are thrilled to bring our passion for authentic Italian gelato to this wonderful community. We source the finest ingredients from around the world, and craft each batch using authentic Italian techniques to bring you a truly exceptional gelato.”
We are excited to see how Oggi Gelato will carry the Oasis legacy forward and bring a fresh take on ice cream to Montclair.
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