
Back in March, Montclair welcomed a superfood cafe that specializes in quick, tasty, and healthy meals to go — all served in a bowl. BoomChia Superfoods, located at 427 Bloomfield Avenue, allows patrons to customize their meals, allowing them to choose from a range of superfoods as the base and a wide assortment of all-natural, performance-enhancing foods as toppings. Since it first opened its doors, BoomChia has become a go-to for vegan eats in the Montclair area. Read on to learn more about BoomChia.
Everything on the menu is 100% vegan, according to the site. The bowls are treated as meal replacements that provide nutrients suitable for any meal including dessert.
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(Photo credit: @boomchiaa)
There are two base options – a cold base (Acai, Pitaya, Blue Coconut, Matcha) and a pudding base (BoomChia pudding + traditional Chia Pudding). From there, patrons can choose their preference of granola, fruits, and toppings such as hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, toasted coconut, goji berries, espresso powder, and more.
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Aside from the build-your-own superfood bowls, the cafe also features other healthy offerings such as cold brew coffee/kombucha on tap, healthy snacks, and wholesome smoothies. Check out the cafe’s Instagram for your next lunch (or breakfast, or dinner — we don’t judge).
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23 Montclair + Beyond News Stories This Week | February 9, 2025
Local groundhogs predicted six more weeks of winter and the Garden State may experience icy weather this week. It’s been another busy week in Essex County and we’ve got all the news to keep you up to date. Among the highlights: Two01 Salon to open a second location in Chatham; Montclair raises Pan-African flag in celebration of Black History Month; and French restaurant, Faubourg, reopens after fire. Read on for all the news in Essex County for the week ending February 9th, 2025.
Have a news story or press release? Email it to [email protected].
Among the Headlines (read on for full stories):
- New Jersey Music Artist SZA Wins 5th Grammy Award for Best R&B Song, ‘Saturn’
- Candidates Running for New Jersey Governor in 2025
- VIO Med Spa to Host Grand Opening in Clifton
- Tony Award Nominated Cast to Perform at Montclair State University
- NYC-Based Fitness Studio, The Strength Club, Opens Location in Caldwell
- El Gordo Peruvian Eatery Opens New Location in Montclair
- Inclusive Bowling Alley Opens in Livingston
- Dan + Day’s Burgers and Shakes to Host Watchung Deli Pop-Up in Montclair
- Suspended Montclair Teacher to Remain in Jail Pending Hearing
- Essex County Receives $5.7M in Grants to Support Community Development
New Jersey Music Artist SZA Wins 5th Grammy Award for Best R&B Song, 'Saturn’
SZA, an R&B and pop star from Maplewood, New Jersey, won her fifth Grammy Award on February 2nd for Best R&B Song for her track “Saturn.” She beat Coco Jones, Kehlani, Muni Long, and Tems in the category. The artist born Solana Rowe now holds 26 total nominations since 2018. Previous wins include Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (twice), Best Progressive R&B Album and Best Traditional R&B Performance.
Suspended Montclair Teacher to Remain in Jail Pending Hearing
On January 12th, 2025, the Montclair Police Department received information regarding a potential threat to the safety of staff members and students in the Montclair School District. The suspect was identified as 45-year-old Amir Doctry, a staff member currently on administrative leave from the district. During a detention hearing in Newark on February 5th, Superior Court Judge Lori Ellen Grifa ordered Amir to remain jailed after the prosecution argued releasing him would present “community safety concerns.” Click here for more.
Who's Running for New Jersey Governor in 2025?
New Jersey is set to elect a new governor in 2025. Governor Phil Murphy has served two terms as governor and cannot seek reelection. As of January 2025, there are six Democrats and eight Republicans looking to become the next governor. The filing date for the primary election is March 24th, 2025. The 2025 primary election will be on June 10th and the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 4th. Click here for more.
Essex County Receives $5.7M in Grants to Support Community Development
Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, Jr. announced on February 5th that approximately $5.7 million will be distributed to 12 Essex County municipalities and 36 community organizations through the Community Development Block Grant Program and the Emergency Services Grant Program. Per a County of Essex press release, the programs are funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the Essex County Division of Housing and Community Development.
Hoboken's Two01 Salon to Open Second Location in Chatham
Ashley Branda, owner of Hoboken's Two01 Salon, noticed over the years that her clients were getting married and moving to the suburbs. She recently decided to open a second location in Chatham. The new salon is located at the former T.M. Ward Coffee space at 7 S Passaic Avenue and is hosting a soft opening on February 11th. The salon hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 10AM-8PM. Bookings for the Chatham location can be scheduled by reaching Two01 Salon in Hoboken at 201-253-0026.
VIO Med Spa to Host Grand Opening in Clifton
VIO Med Spa Clifton is a one-stop beauty shop for all things skincare — and on February 11th, this new med spa is hosting a grand opening party with live demos, giveaways, raffles, and special promos. Located at 345 Allwood Road, festivities kick off at 4PM and run until 8PM. Click here for more.
Tony Award-Nominated Cast to Perform at Montclair State University
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Montclair State University (MSU) announced via Instagram the return of Michael John LaChiusa's Queen of the Mist, a musical about Annie Edson Taylor, the first person to survive a plunge over Niagara Falls in a barrel. The new development presented by MSU’s PEAK Performances features lyrics by the five-time Tony Award nominee LaChiusa, and a powerhouse cast led by Mary Testa. The show runs from February 20th through February 23rd at the Alexander Kasser Theater.
America’s First Black Rockette to Discuss Memoir at Montclair Public Library
On February 18th at 6:30PM, Jennifer Jones, the first African American Rockette, will visit the Montclair Public Library to discuss her new memoir, “Becoming Spectacular,” with Sharron Miller, director of Sharron Miller’s Academy of the Performing Arts in Montclair. The event includes a slideshow, Q&A, and book signing, and is part of the library’s Open Book/Open Mind literary conversation series, co-presented by Miller’s Academy.
Registration for New Jersey’s First Election with Voting Age of 16 Opens
As of February 1st, Newark residents who will be at least 16 years old by April 15th can register to vote in the state’s first election under a voting age that low. Per NJ.com, Christopher Durkin, the county’s top election official, said voter registration for Newark’s April 15th school board election starts on February 1st when eligible students and adults can register online. Paper forms have been printed and are being distributed to municipal, county, and school locations next week. The deadline to register is March 24th.
Montclair Raises Pan-African Flag For Black History Month
Firefighters Anthony Virgil and Terrence Munford raised the Pan-African Flag in Montclair during a 7AM ceremony on February 1st. Per the Montclair Local, the ceremony took place on Church Street while a small gathering of residents and elected officials sang, “We Shall Overcome.” Mayor Renee Baskerville, the township’s first African American woman to serve as mayor, led the ceremony.
9-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot in Newark
A nine-year-old boy was shot and killed on January 31st in Newark, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. It happened just after 5:30PM at 170 Osborne Terrace. The boy was pronounced dead at University Hospital. Newark’s Police Division is investigating the incident and no arrests have been made.
NYC-Based Fitness Studio, The Strength Club, Opens Location in Caldwell
The Strength Club, a popular fitness studio in New York City, recently opened its second location — and its first in New Jersey — in Caldwell. Founded by Kenny Santucci, The Strength Club provides group classes and personal training, focusing on building muscle strength and conditioning. The gym’s second location is located at 351 Bloomfield Avenue, taking over CrossFit Caldwell’s former location. Click here for more.
Hackensack Meridian's Hospitals to Drop Major Health Insurance
Millions of New Jersey residents could be left without in-network coverage for hospital visits this spring, if Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield (HBCBS) and Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) do not come to a contract agreement. Horizon released a statement on its website saying that HMH has "decided to terminate its hospitals" from its healthcare network, citing a disagreement on prices for services and care. All 13 of Hackensack Meridian's hospitals will go out-of-network as of June 1st unless an agreement is made. The Newark-based health insurer serves more than 3.8 million members across the state.
Inclusive Bowling Alley Opens in Livingston
Though Northern New Jersey is home to all kinds of diverse attractions and activities, from globally-inspired restaurants to the many historical museums and parks, truly inclusive spaces that accommodate all needs are far and few between. LifeTown, a fully accessible center featuring a simulated town square with shops, sidewalks, parks, and traffic lights, as well as an indoor playground, sensory room, aquatic center, and much more, continues to fill that void in the Essex County community. On January 22nd, Livingston locals and renowned bowlers Parker Bohn III and Johnny Petraglia joined LifeTown at 10 Microlab Road to celebrate the opening of its newest addition, a bowling alley intentionally designed for people with disabilities. Click here for more.
Newark Man Charged with Fatal Stabbing in ShopRite Parking Lot
Police arrested a suspect in connection with a fatal stabbing outside of a ShopRite in Newark on January 27th. According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the stabbing took place in the parking lot of the ShopRite on Springfield Avenue around 7PM and claimed the life of an East Orange resident, Rodney J. Mayes, 56. Rodney was transported to University Hospital in Newark, where he died from his injuries. On January 29th, authorities announced that Julius Gaines, 56, of Newark was arrested and charged in connection with the stabbing.
El Gordo Peruvian Eatery Opens New Location in Montclair
El Gordo Peruvian Eatery shared with The Montclair Girl that it opened a new location at 324B Orange Road in Montclair. This family-owned restaurant has served authentic Peruvian cuisine in New Jersey for 28 years. El Gordo is best known for its Peruvian Rotisserie Chicken + Famous El Gordo Green Sauce, the Peruvian version of hot sauce.
Bird Flu Found in Three New York Boroughs
The bird flu has been making its rounds in the news the last few weeks, and it’s getting closer to home. On Friday, February 7th, live poultry markets in New York City and parts of the NYC suburbs were ordered to shut down for a week, sparking some rising concerns. This was after seven birds were found infected with the H5N1 strain of Avian Flu, also known as the Bird Flu, during a routine inspection of live markets in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens boroughs. Click here for more.
Dan + Day’s Burgers and Shakes to Host Watchung Deli Pop-Up in Montclair
For nearly 100 years, Watchung Deli was a Montclair staple, serving Essex County some of the best sandwiches around. The deli closed in late 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Five years later, another Montclair restaurant is giving the deli new life. Dan + Day’s Burgers and Shakes, a Montclair burger joint owned by Dan and Dayanna Campeas, is holding a pop-up event on March 2nd at which some of Watchung Deli’s signature sandwiches will be served.
New Jersey Student Files Lawsuit Against Principal for Assault
An Essex County high school principal is facing a federal lawsuit alleging he racially discriminated against the student he was accused of assaulting in school two years ago. Per NJ.com, Frank Sanchez, the principal of Columbia High School in South Orange-Maplewood, was arrested and charged in March with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault following an incident with a female student in a school hallway in 2023. An Essex County grand jury declined to indict him in June 2024 on the second-degree charge. The simple assault charge was referred to Maplewood Municipal Court and remains pending.
Montclair Art Museum Presents Nanette Carter: A Question of Balance
The Montclair Art Museum (MAM) announced on February 4th via a press release the opening of Nanette Carter: A Question of Balance, an exhibition celebrating the career of artist Nanette Carter. The exhibition opened on February 8th, 2025, and runs through July 6, 2025. Click here for ticketing and more information.
Former New Jersey Senator Menendez Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Bribery
Former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison on January 29th after being convicted of 16 felony counts in a high-profile bribery scheme. Per a US Attorney’s Office press release, the Hudson County Democrat was convicted of accepting bribes, using the power of his office to protect allies from prosecution, and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt. He resigned from the Senate in August 2024, after months of maintaining his innocence.
Montclair French Restaurant, Faubourg, Reopens After Fire
Less than a week, after a fire broke out at French restaurant Faubourg, 544 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, has reopened. Faubourg announced via Instagram that it reopened its doors on February 3rd at 5PM. The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen ducts. Montclair Fire Department, West Orange Fire Department, Cedar Grove Fire Department, and Montclair EMT responded to the scene. All 40 restaurant employees and customers inside were safely evacuated with no injuries.
Car Stolen from Residential Driveway in Montclair
A car was stolen in Montclair on January 31st. According to The Montclair Police Department, a resident reported that his 2017 Honda Pilot was stolen from his driveway during early morning hours. The resident was warming his car up before leaving for work. When he walked out to the car he observed it driving away north on Willowdale Avenue. It was recovered the following day in Newark.