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: Good Bottle Refill Shop Switches to Sunday delivery; actor Emma Roberts was spotted in a local restaurant; masks are now optional in Montclair schools; and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Hoboken, Jersey City + beyond.
Essex County Resident Launches Online Children’s Clothing Store
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Glen Ridge resident Betsy McKenzie recently launched an online clothing store for kids called The Youngsters. After 20+ years in the creative fashion industry, Betsy set out to create a spirited space to shop for kids – featuring brands + designers who produce quality goods that are both cool and comfortable. The Youngsters is inspired by her own two kids and her love of print, color, + texture.
Candidates Run for 2 Opens Seats on Montclair Board of Education
Nine candidates are running for two available seats on the Montclair Board of Education, per Montclair Local. The candidates include Yvonne Bouknight, Jerold Freier, Holly Shaw, Melanie Deysher, Noah Gale, George C. Simpson, Phaedra Dunn, Jennette Williams and Lauren Q. Griffin. Residents of Montclair will vote in a special election held on Tuesday, March 8th.
Montclair High School Rowing Kicks of Spring Season
Photo credit: Montclair High School Rowing
Montclair High School Rowing kicked off its Spring season on Monday, March 1st. This unique public high school program has received the following awards: 8 SRAA National Championships, 57 NJ State Championships, USA Youth Nationals Bronze 2018, Henley Royal Regatta, UK Semifinalist 2018, 21 Stotesbury Cup Championships, 26 Philadelphia City Championships, and the Mid Atlantic Champions 2018. Click here to learn more.
Food Vendors Needed for Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival
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Essex County Park System is accepting applications for food vendors for the Cherry Blossom Festival through Friday, March 11th. The Instagram post says, “We’re still looking for food vendors for our upcoming Bloomfest event as part of the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival on Sunday April 10, 2022 in Branch Brook Park! Please reach out to Kahron Smothers at ksmothers@parks.essexcountynj.org by March 11th for consideration!”
Bloomfield Relocates Polling Stations for 2 Districts
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Following the census, local officials have relocated the polling stations for Ward 1 District 12 and Ward 2 District 12. The Instagram update reads, “New polling locations have been released by Bloomfield Municipal Clerk Louise Palagano and have been approved by the town council for Ward 2 District 12 and Ward 1 District 12. For residents in Ward 2 District 12, their polling location will be at Demarest School, 465 Broughton Avenue. For residents in Ward 1 District 12, their polling location will be at the Library Theatre (Children’s Library), 90 Broad Street.”
Varitage Brew Works is Coming to Bloomfield, Airs Episode 2 of Docuseries
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A new brewery is coming to Bloomfield and along the way, the dreamers behind the business are documenting every step. Varitage Brew Works is scheduled to open this spring at 58 Washington Street in Bloomfield. Varitage shared on Instagram this week, “Episode 2 of our docuseries, ‘Building Varitage,’ is now available! So much going on behind the scenes! Check out the full episode at VaritageBeer.com/BuildingVaritage.”
Good Bottle Refill Shop in Montclair Switches to Sunday Delivery
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Good Bottle Refill Shop in Montclair has switched its delivery day from Saturday to Sunday. The eco-friendly company shared the update via Instagram saying, “We switched our delivery days around a bit. Our Saturday deliveries will be on Sunday now. This covers our local zip codes that get to choose their day and Hoboken, JC, and Newark. I wonder if Amazon is worried….😂 Seriously tho, traffic is so much better on Sunday and parking on Washington Street in Hoboken on a Saturday … well, we’d be happy not to do that again.”
Historic Montclair Warehouse to Undergo Renovations
A historic warehouse in Montclair is getting a major facelift and a new purpose, according to RE NJ.com. Deugen Development LLC and Greenwood Development have acquired the 96-year-old building with plans to add a 1,953-square-foot extension. When finished, the building will house retail space on the first floor, coworking space on the second floor, and loft-style offices on the third and fourth floors.
Maplewood Businesses to Celebrate Women’s History Month
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The town of Maplewood is assembling a town-wide art gallery for the entire month of March, per NJ.com. Many of Maplewood’s storefronts will be transformed into exhibition spaces for the return of the “Windows for Women” event. This month-long event helps create partnerships between local women business owners and women artists to showcase original art pieces. This event is in celebration of Women’s History Month.
Bloomfield to Honor Women’s History Month
Bloomfield will be honoring Women’s History Month for the entire month of March, reported Baristanet. The town will be hosting multiple events, including the third annual menstrual hygiene product drive. All the residents of Bloomfield are being encouraged to participate in all of the events throughout the month.
Interim Director Appointed at Montclair Public Library
Janet Torsney has been named Interim Director of the Montclair Public Library, per Baristanet. She was named the Interim Director effective February 22nd and she has been a library professional since 2008. Torsney is also the current President of the NJ Library Association’s Administration and Management section.
West Orange High School Students Display Work at the WOAC
The West Orange Arts Center’s latest show will be featuring works from the Advanced Placement Studio Arts Seniors from West Orange High School, reported Baristanet. This exhibit will be on display from Saturday, March 5th to Saturday, April 23rd. This is the sixth year that this collaboration has happened between the WOHS Art Department and the WOAC.
Masks will Be Optional For Montclair Students and Staff
Students, staff, and visitors will begin to have the option of wearing masks on public school property, per Montclair Local. This will start March 7th and the announcement was made on Tuesday, March 1st by Superintendent Jonathan Ponds. Optional masking will be extended to all indoor and outdoor school settings and it will also apply on school buses.
Group of Landlords File in Court to Stop Montclair Rent Increase Freeze
A group of landlords has asked a judge to stop any further rent freeze extensions and to nullify past freezes, per Montclair Local. The most recent rent freeze extension will be expiring on March 31st, but the Township Council is expected to be extending it once again to May 31st. The township put rent freezes into effect in May 2020 as the pandemic had officially set in.
Montclair Man Robbed at Gunpoint
A man was robbed at gunpoint in Montclair last week, reported Patch. The victim said he had arranged to purchase three iPads for $2,000 from someone he had met online. The victim reported that he arrived at the previously arranged meeting place and was soon boxed in by two different cars. Two men approached the car and pointed handguns at him, they demanded the money and that the victim exit the vehicle. The victim handed over the money and was able to pull his car around the two other cars and escape.
Montclair Councilor’s Online Fundraiser For Ukrainian Refugees Raises of $10k in First Day
Montclair Councilor At-Large Peter Yacobellis announced an online fundraiser in support of Ukrainian refugees, per Baristanet. On the afternoon of Monday, February 28th, a little over 24 hours after the fundraiser was first launched, it was announced the fund had raised over $10,000. All proceeds raised in this fundraiser will be going directly to the International Rescue Committee.
Montclair Council Endorses NJ Reparation Task Force
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The Montclair Township Council has approved a resolution that endorses the “New Jersey Reparation Task Force” bill, reported Montclair Local. If this bill is passed it will create a committee to help conduct research and develop recommendations to address the generational harms caused by New Jersey’s role in slavery and the legacy of systemic racial discrimination. This bill is sponsored by seven state representatives, including Monclair’s own Nia Gill.
Emma Roberts Spotted in Fascino’s + MC Hotel
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Film star Emma Roberts stopped in a local Montclair restaurant this week, according to this Instagram post. Fascino Restaurant posted a photo with the actress after she visited the Montclair restaurant. She was later spotted by a Montclair Girl reader at MC Hotel located at 690 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair.
AAPI Montclair to Host First Color Run
AAPI Montclair will be hosting its first color run this year, per Baristanet. The color run will take place on Sunday, April 3, 2022, and it is meant to celebrate the Spring festivals of Holi and Songkran. Racers will be running in a closed course inside Brookdale Park and will be splashed at the end of the course with colorful powder and water.
St. Patrick’s Day Parades in NJ Starts This Weekend
New Jersey is preparing for a full roster of St. Patrick’s Day Parades following two years of cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, per NJ.com. Parades throughout the state typically occur on weekends during the first three weeks of the month. The Newark St. Patrick’s Day will be on Friday, March 11th at 1PM.
Maybe I Do Brings Award-Winning
Actors to Jersey for Filming
Maybe I Do, a movie starring Dianne Keaton, William H. Macy, Richard Gere, Emma Roberts, and more will be filming in Union and Essex Counties. The production for the film is expected to continue through the month of March. Several local businesses are being used as the background for the film and the actors have been spotted eating meals at the local restaurants as well. Click here for more details on the local celeb sightings.
One Killed, 2 Injured in Newark Shooting
One was killed and two were injured in a shooting in Newark that happened on Wednesday, March 2nd, per NJ.com. The shooting took place in the later hours of the evening and those who were injured were transported to an area hospital. The investigation is currently ongoing and additional information on the victims of the shootings was not readily available.
