There’s been lots of news happening in Essex County this week, and Montclair Girl is here to get you up to speed. Among the local headlines: Diane Keaton was spotted in a local restaurant; Montclair’s first girls’ ice hockey team recently began its inaugural season; Luna Stage reopened for in-person performances on their MainStage on Friday; and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Hoboken, Jersey City + beyond.
Tino’s Artisan Pizza Co. Now Open in Montclair
View this post on Instagram
Tino’s Artisan Pizza Co. has expanded into Montclair with a new location at 252 Bellevue Avenue. The Instagram post reads, “We are happy to announce that our Montclair location is officially open for business! 🥳🍾🍕 Come check us out in Upper Montclair @ 252 Bellevue Ave! We’ll be pumping out our delicious all natural Pizzas, Sandwiches, Salads and more, 7 days a week!”
New Cycling + Fitness Center Opens in Montclair
View this post on Instagram
Ride It, a new fitness studio located at 50 Upper Montclair Plaza, has opened its doors in Upper Montclair as an energetic DJ-driven indoor cycling and fitness spot. Memberships start at $116 for four classes per month.
Local Teen Featured on Is It Cake? on Netflix
View this post on Instagram
Netflix will premier a new show on Friday, March 18th called Is It Cake? In the lineup of contestants is Justin Ellen, a 19-year-old bakery owner from Passaic. In the show, bakers go head-to-head creating realistic cake replicas of everyday objects that are then judged by some of the biggest names in television today, including Fortune Feimster, Loni Love, and Queer Eye’s Karamo Brown.
Rombiolo Restaurant Cafe Expands in Bloomfield
View this post on Instagram
Rombiolo Restaurant Cafe, located at 119 Broughton Avenue in Bloomfield, recently debuted a new look + more space. The cafe has expanded into the building next door and now features chic black awnings and new tables out front.
Diane Keaton Spotted in Montclair Restaurant
View this post on Instagram
Montclair has been abuzz lately with A-list celebrities spotted left and right working on a new film. On Sunday, March 6th Diane Keaton was spotted in La Rocca Osteria in Montclair.
Envy by Melissa Gorga Opens New Storefront in Ridgewood
View this post on Instagram
Envy by Melissa Gorga has opened a new location at 7 East Ridgewood Avenue in Ridgewood. The women’s clothing store specializes in tops, dresses, accessories, and outerwear.
Montclair’s First Girls Ice Hockey Team Begins Inaugural Season
View this post on Instagram
Montclair’s first girls’ ice hockey team recently began its inaugural season, according to Montclair Local News. The Instagram account shared, “Sunday, they got invited to the @njdevils owner’s suite — and team founder Natalie Smith got to ride the Zamboni!”
Verona Salon ‘The Room’ Expands in a New Location
View this post on Instagram
Only a few weeks ago, The Room in Verona moved to a new location across the street from where the salon had originally opened back in 2016. What most people can’t see, is that the owners added way more than square footage. The Room has an inviting atmosphere, relatable stylists, and conveys a passion for excellence. We chatted with owners Filipe Santos and David Brodsky to hear about their journeys in the hair care industry and listened as they share some of the keys to their success. Click here for what we know about The Room in Verona.
Newark Moves to Create More Affordable Housing
Newark’s mayor and city council have moved to boost the city’s affordable housing stock, per NJ.com. This introduces a measure that would increase the number of residential developments required to include affordable units. Mayor Ras Baraja proposed amendments to the city’s inclusionary zoning ordinance and the council granted preliminary approval.
Triple Shooting Leaves 1 Dead in Newark
One person was killed and two others were wounded in a shooting on Monday afternoon in Newark, per NJ.com. City police and detectives were able to arrive on the scene shortly before 3PM. There are still not many details known about the attack near South 10th Street and South Orange Avenue.
Montclair Property Owners File a Lawsuit Against the Township of Montclair
A civil rights lawsuit has been filed in the Superior Court against the Township of Montclair, reported Tap Into. The Montclair Property Owners Association is challenging the constitutionality of the rent freeze in Montclair. This is a rent freeze that has been in effect since the spring of 2020. A permanent injunction is being sought to prevent any further extensions and enforcement of the freeze.
Rent Control Could Potentially be Going to Montclair Voters in May Special Election
Montclair could potentially be holding a special election in May on whether to implement a proposed rent control ordinance. According to Montclair Local, this ordinance was first passed by the Township Council in April of 2020, but it was never put into effect. If the rent control ordinance is voted down via a referendum, then the township would have to wait another three years to create a new ordinance.
Montclair Planning Board Approves Self-Storage Facility
The Montclair Planning Board has approved a self-storage facility at Grove Street, per Tap Into. This is the self-storage facility that will be built on a triangular piece of land. The board also approved the resolution for an apartment building at 10 Elm Street.
Luna Stage Reopens MainStage in Montclair
Luna Stage reopened for in-person performances on their MainStage on Friday, March 11th, per Baristanet. This reopening comes almost exactly two years after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the building to close temporarily. The first event held in the space will be a reading of long-term collaborator Nikkole Salter’s play Torn Asunder. Admission is free but it is highly requested that guests reserve seats.
Montclair Skatepark at Rand Park Receives Award
Skate Essex Inc was awarded a $25,000 special award from The Skatepark Project, per Baristanet. This award combined with the money combined with the other funds raised by Skate Essex will be used to build seven different skatable structures. Construction for the structure is set for mid-March and the groundbreaking will take place in April.
Burglary at Grove Street Pharmacy
In the early hours of Tuesday, March 8th, police responded to Grove Pharmacy due to an activated burglar alarm, per Baristanet. Officers discovered a brick lying on the sidewalk and the front glass door was completely pushed in. Officers checked the interior, but the suspects had vacated the scene.
Dunn + Deysher Make History in Montclair BOE Elections
Phaedra Dunn and Melanie Deysher won during the historic election on Tuesday, March 8th reported Montclair Local. These two won the two newly created seats on the Montclair Board of Education. There were nine candidates seeking the seats and voters were able to pick the board members directly for the first time in Montclair’s history. Click here for what we know.
New Jersey Jazz Society Launches a New Scholarship Competition
View this post on Instagram
The New Jersey Jazz Society has launched a new scholarship contest for 2022, reported Patch. The Juried Scholarship Competition for 2022 will be giving out two different $1,000 prizes during a competition. The prizes will be given out in two different categories: Classic Jazz and Original Composition. The winners will also receive guidance, mentorship, and the opportunity to perform alongside an industry professional.
Montclair Expected in Court Concerning Rent Freeze
Montclair is due in court on March 28th and has been ordered to show a judge cause for why the rent freeze is necessary, per Montclair Local. The rent freezes are a temporary measure put in place by the Township Council and have been reauthorized every three months since May 2020. These measures are separate from the rent control ordinance, but they are both in legal battles with the Montclair Property Owners Association.
Evidence Shows Body Found At Eagle Rock Reservation Victim of Gunshot
The person found dead at the Eagle Rock Reservation on Friday, March 4th had been shot, per Montclair Local. The male person also continues to remain unidentified. According to the prosecutor’s office, he had been discovered by hikers. Authorities are asking anyone with any information to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office’s tips line.
Studio Montclair Presents “Evanescent!”
View this post on Instagram
Studio Montclair will be presenting “Evanescent!” on exhibit from March 7th through April 8th, per Baristanet. This exhibit will be at Studio Montclair Gallery and it will be a part of their portfolio series. “Evanescent!” will be featuring the artwork of five artists in the gallery and it is currently open by appointment.
NJ Transit Rail Line to Continue to Run in Essex County on Modified Schedule
NJ Transit will continue to run limited services on a modified schedule for multiple lines, per NJ.com. The service outage caused by storm damage affected 22 stations in Morris, Somerset, Union, and Essex Counties. Many stations will be without service through the end of the service day on Friday.
Investigators Seek Tips Following Death in Newark
A 28-year-old man was shot and killed late Tuesday, March 8th, in Newark, per NJ.com. Sharique J. Ray was shot on Huntington Terrace and he died shortly before 9PM. No arrests have been made in relation to his death. Authorities are asking for anyone with information to call investigators on the tip line.
