Every week, we gather the highlights you missed in the news this week in Montclair, Bloomfield, + beyond. Among the local headlines: Montclair’s own Bobbi Brown clapped back at a TikToker in a comical video; the YMCA of Montclair Annual Montclair Run will return Sunday, June 5th; a home in Cedar Grove was struck by lighting; and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Essex County + beyond.
Kinya: A New West Orange Restaurant with Golden Sushi + Ramen
A new ramen and sushi bar with a unique angle has opened up this spring in West Orange. The new spot, called Kinya — which means ‘gold’ in Japanese — markets itself as the house of golden ramen both literally and figuratively. Not only does the restaurant hope to provide an elevated, one-of-a-kind ‘golden’ experience, but it actually serves two dishes and one drink with 24K gold flecks. Click here for everything you need to know about Kinya, the new golden ramen and sushi bar located at 495 Prospect Avenue in West Orange.
The Montclair Girl Launches Real Estate Directory
Looking for a place to call home in the Montclair and the greater North Jersey area is no easy feat – even if you know it won’t be your home forever. Meet our new Real Estate Directory, a curated (and ever-growing) list of real estate buildings in the greater North Jersey area. Click here to discover these local real estate properties, compare and connect for tours, and keep checking back in for new listings.
Local Fitness Centers to Host Pride Week Classes in Montclair
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From Yoga and cycling to CrossFit and Rowing, fitness facilities all over Montclair are running special classes and events on Saturday, June 4th and Sunday, June 5th as part of Montclair Pride Week. Participating locations include Row House Montclair, D*FIT Montclair, Juniper Yoga + Fitness, Ride It Fitness, YMCA, Cyclebar, and more.
Thumbs Up Ramen to Host Grand Opening in Fort Lee
A new ramen restaurant, Thumbs Up Ramen, will host a grand opening event on Wednesday, June 1st. The menu features a signature Bubble (AWA) Ramen, with chicken paitan broth, to residents of the Greater New York City area. The first 100 customers after 5PM who follow Thumbs Up Ramen on Instagram will receive the signature dish free of charge. The restaurant is located at 2024 Center Avenue, Suite G, in Fort Lee.
Movies Under the Stars! Announces Montclair Summer Series
Montclair Film recently announced the lineup for this year’s Movies Under the Stars! series, which beings on June 3rd, per Baristanet. The summer series kicks off with The Rocky Horror Picture Show in partnership with Out Montclair. Movies will be shown at 7PM in the Lackawanna Plaza. The films will be free to the public but people are encouraged to register online here for each movie.
Lackawanna Plaza to Host Montclair African American Heritage Festival
Lackawanna Plaza is slated to host the Montclair African American Heritage Festival on Saturday, June 4th, per Baristanet. The festival will take place from 1PM to 6PM and feature dance performances, live music, and a Kid’s Zone with games and a 360 camera. The festival will be held in the TD Bank parking lot at 223 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair.
Source of Dead Fish at Montclair Wildlife Preserve Discovered
An almost complete fish die-off in the Third River in the Alonzo F. Bonsal Wildlife Preserve in Montclair is said to have been the result of a broken discharge line at the Montclair Beach Club, per Montclair Local. On Wednesday, May 18th, a group of volunteers noticed a pipe gushing a white, viscous liquid which, when properly disposed of, is discharged into the Clifton sewer system. Montclair Beach Club was given a notice of violation.
Mountainside Pool Opened + Will Be Only Montclair Pool Until End of June
The Mountainside Pool, located at 205 Upper Mountain Avenue in Montclair, opened on Saturday, May 28th, per Baristanet. At this point, it will be the only pool open to the public until the end of June when Nishuane and Essex pools are slated to open. Pool fees at Mountainside range from $25 for a Senior pass to $250 for a Family pass.
Kreme & Krumbs Opened Montclair Storefront
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Montclair area ice cream lovers — this is the news for you. After a successful pop-up in downtown Montclair last year, ice cream shop Kreme & Krumbs will be opening a permanent location at 147 Bloomfield Avenue. Click here to read about the soft opening of Kreme & Krumbs in Montclair and what this spot serves up.
Montclair High School’s Class of 2022 to Host Final Clothing Drive
Montclair High School’s Class of 2022 will be having its final clothing drive, per Baristanet. The final clothing drive will be on Sunday, June 5th from 9AM to 1PM at the main entrance of the school. This clothing drive is a one day only event.
Annual Montclair Run Returns to Original Sunday
The YMCA of Montclair’s Annual Montclair Run will be returning to its traditional Sunday in June for its 39th year, per Baristanet. This retro-themed Race will take place on Sunday, June 5th. Participants can register here by Tuesday, May 31st. Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center is returning as this year’s presenting sponsor.
NJCRC Approves Montclair Cannabis Dispensary for Recreational Sale
A cannabis dispensary in Montclair has been given the greenlight to sell recreational marijuana, per Patch. This green light was given by the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. Ascend Wellness was one of five locations recently given clearance to sell recreational marijuana by the NJCRC.
Bears Spotted in Essex County Once Again
Bears have recently been spotted in Essex County with reported sightings in Montclair and the Caldwells, per Patch. A bear was also seen behind the Montclair Public Library and in Montclair backyards. Wildlife officials had to tranquilize a bear earlier this week in Montclair after it had climbed up a tree on Union Street. The animal will be relocated to a secure area in the wild.
Cedar Grove Home Struck by Lightning
A home in Cedar Grove was struck by lighting on the evening of Sunday, May 22nd, per Tap Into. The resulting fire was extinguished within an hour, so fire damage to the house was minimal. However, the property did sustain a large amount of water damage during the storm.
Renovations Begin at East Newark’s New Town Center
Renovations have begun at a 19th-century factory complex to make it East Newark’s new town center, per Jersey Digs. Two buildings in the courtyard are being demolished before work on the facade begins. The project will result in more than 600 residences and 100,000 square feet of retail.
Newark’s Zoning Board Approves Redevelopment Plans
Newark’s zoning board approved an application to develop two lots after they sat vacant for years, per Jersey Digs. This endeavor is being made by East Orange-based Naimor Realty, and it is looking to construct 11 residential units. While approval has been granted, a construction start date has not been given.
West Orange Missing Woman Found
A missing woman has been found, per Tap Into. Caren went missing on May 20th around 11AM. She had last been seen on Northfield Avenue in West Orange and was eventually found by local officials in the area.
Playground at Edgemont Park Closed for Upgrades
The playground at Edgemont Park in Montclair is now closed for upgrades, per Patch. These upgrades include the replacement of existing playground safety structures. The park will be reopened for use once the installation is complete. The completion is expected to be on Friday, June 3rd if the weather permits.
Montclair’s Bobbi Brown Claps Back at TikToker
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In a comical video, Montclair’s own Bobbi Brown clapped back at a TikToker who gave her new foundation a “no” in a recent TikTok, per Baristanet. Bobbi followed the same method makeup artist Meredith Duxbury is famous for, using handfuls of product. She later posted a video explaining how to properly apply her new foundation.
Essex Green Town Center Continues with New Updates
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Big changes are continuing to happen to Essex Green in West Orange, per Baristanet. A Five Guys recently opened at the shopping center built in the 1950s and a Burlington + Five Below are among some of the other new stores that will be coming in. The shopping center will also now be called Essex Green Town Center.
AAPI Lantern Festival Rescheduled
The AAPI Lantern Festival has been rescheduled due to bad weather, per Montclair Local. The new date is Sunday, June 5th, from 6PM to 9PM at Edgemont Park. Admission is free to all and everyone is invited to the event. There will be live musical performances, special guests, the opportunity for participants to dedicate lanterns with special names or messages, and much more.
Scholarship Fund Raises $450,000 at Annual Gala
The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children raised more than $450,000 at its annual gala in West Orange’s Pleasantdale Chateau on May 11th, per a press release. This both met and exceeded the target goal for the charity. This scholarship is to help fund partial tuition assistance scholarships for underprivileged students attending Archdiocese of Newark Catholic schools.
Summit Health Cares Announces New Summit Challenge
Summit Health Cares will be hosting its first annual Summit Challenge in June, per a press release. The Summit Challenge will be on June 5th, 2022 at The Park in Berkeley Heights This fundraising experience will help bring the community together while raising funds for Summit Health Cares’ Cancer Comfort Project.
