Every week we bring you the highlights in the news, so you can stay up-to-date on what is happening in Montclair + surrounding areas. Among the local headlines: local chef Brandon Campney is slated to compete on Chopped, Montclair State University has been awarded $1.4M for COVID relief, Kreme & Krumbs is hosting a charity event today, and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Montclair, Bloomfield, + beyond in Essex County:
Zaro’s Family Bakery Opens 3rd Location in Newark
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This summer, Newark is in for a treat or two. The quintessential New York bakery, Zaro’s, has plans to open its third New Jersey location in the downtown district. If you’re an Essex County local and a fan of rugelach, challah, or everything bagels you’re certainly in luck. The spot will join two existing storefronts in Newark, both located in or adjacent to Newark Penn Station. Click here to read about Zaro’s history and what we know about the upcoming opening in Newark.
Popular Jersey City Clothing Boutique Opening Location in Newark
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One of Jersey City’s most chic clothing boutiques, SECÜR, is finding the silver lining out of 2020 and expanding to a new city just a short Path ride away. What started out as two friends looking to bring their stores to Newark, NJ, is quickly becoming an even larger community initiative. Click here to read about the new SECÜR location in Newark, and how the owner is looking to help the community as a whole.
Teglia Pizza Bar Opens in Montclair
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Teglia Pizza Bar, located at 438 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, has officially opened. The family-run business is already the talk of the town for pizza lovers. Since opening on June 25th, owner Joseph Catalano has been making over 30 pies per night in the first week alone. Click here to read about Teglia Pizza Bar and what’s to come.
3 New Latinx-Inspired Restaurants Coming to Elizabeth + Paterson
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The Garden, located in Elizabeth has just reopened, Hornitos that has just debuted in Paterson, and Mexology, coming soon to Elizabeth. Click here to read more about these three new vibrant restaurants located in Elizabeth and Paterson.
Stirling Tavern Chef to Compete on Chopped
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The Chef at Montclair-based Stirling Tavern, Brandon Campney, is slated to compete in the culinary competition Chopped. The announcement, made via Instagram says, “Set DVRs to watch @chefcampney on Chopped!!! July 27th 9PM.
Van Hook Cheese and Grocery Opening Montclair Location
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Van Hook Cheese and Grocery will soon open a second New Jersey location in Montclair. The store is expected to open by the end of July. The original location opened in Jersey City in 2016, and the shop stocks a large selection of artisan and specialty cheeses and fresh mozzarella as well as in-house dips. The store also has cured meats, crackers, preserves and other grocery items. Read more here.
Newark Unveils New Museum in Place of Police Precinct
Newark officials unveiled plans for a new community museum, replacing a police precinct, according to NJ.com. The plan proposes to convert a police precinct into a museum, which will focus on the 1967 riots that erupted after police assaulted a Black taxi driver. It will also house the city’s Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery.
Montclair Film Series Under the Stars to Begin July 17
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The neighboring community is invited to attend Montclair Film’s 12th Annual FREE Summer Series Under the Stars event. On July 17th, Montclair Film will feature the family classic Shrek, at Brookdale Park. On August 21st, the event will feature Dirty Dancing, at Anderson Park. All venues open at 7PM and films will begin at sundown. Participants are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and picnic.
NJPAC Revives Free Outdoor Music Series in Newark
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The New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark will revive its “Horizon Foundation Sounds of the City” free outdoor concert series, per NJ.com. The series will renew starting on Thursday, July 15th with Felix Hernandez’s Rhythm Revue Dance Party. These performances will run through August.
Brookdale Park Fireworks Show Rescheduled for July 16
The Brookdale Park fireworks show was officially rescheduled and held on July 16 after being canceled for a second consecutive week, Tap Into reports. The event was previously delayed due to Tropical Storm Elsa and thunderstorms.
NJ Docket App Helps Access COVID-19 Vaccine Information
The New Jersey Department of Health has come out with a new app to make it easier to access COVID-19 vaccination records, Baristanet reports. The free app, Docket, is available now in the App store or on Google Play with English and Spanish versions. The app helps people vaccinated in New Jersey to quickly and easily access their COVID-19 vaccination record digitally.
Montclair Student Awarded NSLI-Y Scholarship
Montclair student Christine Emanuelli was awarded a National Security Language Initiative for Youth Virtual Summer Intensive scholarship to study Korean, according to Baristanet. She will study the Korean language for six weeks at a U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program promoting youth language learning. The 2021 Virtual Summer Intensive program has replaced the overseas immersion programs due to COVID-19.
Kreme and Krumbs to Host Charity Event
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Local ice cream shop Kreme and Krumbs is holding a charity event Sunday, July 18th at 3PM. For every double scoop or pint purchased, a donation will be made to The Loveland Foundation Therapy Fund.
Montclair Heat Prompts Health Warnings
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Thursday and Friday for sections of New Jersey and New York, according to Tap Into. A heat advisory has been issued because the heat index is expected to reach 99 on Thursday and 103 on Friday. Seniors and others with health problems or mental health conditions are especially at risk for experiencing heat-related illnesses.
School of Rock to Host Tunes for Food Event in Montclair
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The School of Rock is hosting an event July 18th at 2PM at the Van Vleck House & Garden in Montclair, according to an Instagram post. The event will feature performances by SoRMTC Staff Band, SoRMTC Houseband, and Chasing Paragon. Donations from the event will go to Toni’s Kitchen.
Small Businesses in Montclair Receive Grant Award
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Several Montclair businesses have received grant awards from the New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund, per Tap Into. Talking Eyes Media, the Montclair Orchestra, the Montclair Art Museum and the Montclair History Center have all been awarded these grants. The NJACRF has awarded $1.3 million in grants to non-profits recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Montclair High School Club Donates to Hospital
Students from a Montclair High School club donated $500 to the Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center’s Pastoral Care department, according to Patch. The club, Montclair High School’s Blue Scrub Club, is for students interested in pursuing a medical field career. Medical professionals speak to the students at their meetings about education, career journeys and daily routines.
Montclair State Awarded $1.4M For COVID-19 Impacts
Montclair State University has been awarded more than $1.4 million from New Jersey to support programs addressing the impacts of COVID-19 on postsecondary students, Montclair State University reports. Montclair State was among 35 public and public-mission private institutions to receive the grants. The grants will go toward fighting food insecurity among students, supporting a dual-enrollment program for high school students, and integrating initiatives to support increased participation and success by minority and economically disadvantaged students in STEM fields.
Montclair Township Council Gives Skate Park Permanent Home
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In an unanimous vote, the Township Council voted to support a permanent skate park at Rand Park, according to Montclair Local. The park has housed a temporary spot for skaters for over a year. No specific plan was presented at the meeting for the skate park.
Montclair State Awarded Hunger Grant
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Montclair State University has been awarded $100,000 to help fight hunger and food insecurity, per Montclair State University. This is a part of the second round of the Governor’s Emergency Education relief Fund. The grant allows Montclair State to continue its efforts addressing the issue of hunger and food insecurity, helping maintain its campus food pantry.
Montclair Library Reopening Floors
For the first time since the pandemic, the Montclair library is reopening the second and third floors, according to Montclair Local. The floors will open on July 16, and hours will be Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10AM to noon, and 3PM to 5PM, and Tuesday from noon to 2PM and 4PM to 6PM.
12th Annual Montclair Jazz Fest Soundcheck Series Kickoff on Thursday
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The 12th Annual Montclair Jazz Fest Soundcheck Series Kickoff is scheduled for Thursday, July 15, Baristanet reports. The event will happen at the Lackawanna Plaza stage and feature Cocomama’s eight-piece all-female Latin jazz orchestra. Chefs Damon Wise and Lauren Hirschberg will also be opening Pineapple Express Barbecue, a restaurant and beer garden at the Lackawanna Railroad Terminal.
Montclair School Enrollment Numbers Down
Enrollment for the Montclair public school district during the upcoming school year is at its lowest in 22 years, Montclair Local reports. Kindergarten enrollment so far is down 22% from last fall. Some local private schools are seeing enrollment interest grow quickly and applications to Montclair Kimberley Academy’s kindergarten are the highest they’ve been in five years.
