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: Out Montclair to join Planned Parenthood for ‘Spring Stir’; apartments and townhouses proposed for Roseland’s former Bobst site; why Bloomfield residents can expect to see more police foot patrols, and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Montclair, Bloomfield, + beyond in Essex County:
To stay up-to-date on the launch, things to do, and weekly in the Montclair + greater Essex County area, follow @themontclairgirl on Instagram and sign up for our Montclair email list here. Email news tips to hello@themontclairgirl.com!
Montclair’s Dem Two Hands Boutique Announces Closure
Dem Two Hands boutique located at 61 N Fullerton Avenue in Montclair has announced the closure of its storefront after a 30-year run. The shop’s owner, Marion Lake, originally from Guyana, explained that the impact of the pandemic and loss of a loved one had become impossible to maintain the brick-and-mortar shop, however, Dem Two Hands will be available online. Click here to read more about the closure of Montclair’s Dem Two Hands and what to expect from the online shop.
Montclair Brewery to Host 3rd Annual Pride Walk
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In an Instagram post this week, Montclair Brewery shared, “Super psyched to partner with @fleetfeetmontclair again for 3 years in a row for their annual Fleet Feet Pride Stride/Run/Walk on June 17th. If you haven’t registered for this yet do so now! It will be sold out by the end of the day with only 25% of slots remaining. Visit Fleet Feet profile for more details and registration link.”
Empire Nutrition Opens in Montclair
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In an Instagram post on Friday, May 21st, Empire Nutrition announced its opening in Montclair. The post said, “S U R P R I S E! We are now open!! 👋🏼💪🏽 Come on in & help us get our team prepared for our big Grand Opening on June 5th!!” The shop is located at 598 Valley Road in Montclair and is currently open ahead of the grand opening scheduled for next month.
Montclair Upperclassmen Continue Remote Learning
While freshmen at Montclair High School have returned to in-person class, the upperclassmen have yet to do the same, per Tap Into. At the Board of Education meeting held on Monday, May 17th, parents expressed frustration regarding the delay in returning to a normal schedule.
“We have a commitment to be in-person, five days, full-time,” said Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Ponds. “This is a marathon, not a sprint.”
Little Daisy Bakeshop Featured on The Late Show
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This week Little Daisy Bakeshop shared that Stephen Colbert featured its cake balls on The Late Show. In an Instagram post, the shop said, “A big thank you to Stephen and his lovely wife Evie for mentioning Little Daisy on @colbertlateshow. Happy Birthday @stephenathome ! These are our Daisy Dips aka cake balls. Did we mention that our cake balls are nut-free?” The shop is located at 622 Valley Road in Montclair.
James Street Named ‘Most Endangered’ Historic Street
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Last week NJIT demolished the Warren Street School which was built in 1908 in Newark’s University Heights, per Jersey Digs. Following its dismantling, James Street Commons Historic District was named one of the most endangered historic locations in the state.
Kreme + Krumbs Opens Pop-Up Location in Montclair
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Kreme + Krumbs held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 20th to celebrate the grand opening of the new Montclair pop-up location at 491 Bloomfield Avenue. Locals can now enjoy their Kreme + Krumbs favorites throughout the summer.
Vanguard Theater Fully Booked in June
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The Vanguard Theater in Montclair is ready for a busy summer with grand opening events on June 4th and 5th, per Baristanet. Each weekend during June the theater has events booked, which will be capped at 50% capacity. The recent renovations added a new HVAC air filtration system, touchless fixtures and other amenities to help guests feel comfortable.
‘Spring Stir’ Hosted by Out Montclair + Planned Parenthood
Out Montclair is partnering with Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey to kick off Pride Month with a virtual “Spring Stir” event on June 2nd, per Montclair Local. The event will begin at 7PM and celebrate the resiliency and strength of the LGBTQ+ community. Speakers include Jodie Patterson, author of “The Bold World: A Memoir of Family and Transformation”, and Bianca Mayes, the associate director of Health Equity for Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
Montclair Resident Reports Back-to-Back Burglary Attempts
Recently, a Montclair resident reported to the police that someone had tried to break into her apartment two days in a row, per Patch. The burglary attempts took place between 3AM and 4AM, once on Sunday and again on Monday, according to the Montclair Police Department.
The report stated that the victim heard someone trying to enter through the windows on the east and south-facing sides of her building. In the morning she found her window screens had been cut or removed completely.
Newark Receives First Installment of $88M American Rescue Plan
The City of Newark has received $88,333,803 as the first installment of the American Rescue Plan funds due to the city to help with the effects on the economy of the COVID-19 pandemic, per RLS Media. The funds will stabilize the City’s finances and help the residents and small businesses that took the biggest hit over the last year. The City also plans to address issues surrounding homelessness, affordable housing, and economic and food insecurity.
3 Firefighters Complete Academy Training
Three probationary firefighters in Montclair have finished the Morris County Fire Academy training course, a 10-week program, and met all requirements to qualify as firefighters in the State of New Jersey, per Montclair Local. Training includes physical fitness tests, academic coursework, burn training, hazmat training, and a slew of other requirements.
Il Laboratorio del Gelato Announces Grand Opening
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Il Laboratorio del Gelato (@icecreamlabmontclair) announced its grand opening will be held on Friday, May 28th. The 300 flavors featured on the menu use all-natural ingredients and extracts made in-house.
Salman Rushdie to Attend Succeed2gether’s Montclair Literary Festival
Succeed2gether’s Montclair Literary Festival will host storyteller Salman Rushdie, who will talk about his most recent book, Languages of Truth: Essays 2003–2020, per Tap Into. This virtual event will take place on Tuesday, June 22nd at 8PM. Tickets cost $35 and include a copy of the book Languages of Truth, click here to register.
Bloomfield Residents Can Expect More Police Foot Patrols Near Businesses
Authorities recently announced that Bloomfield residents can expect to see more police foot patrols in commercial areas of town, per Patch. Officers will patrol North Center, Bloomfield Center, and parts of Bloomfield Avenue and 1st Avenue.
Housing Development Proposed for Roseland’s Former Bobst Site
The Gardens at Roseland, LLC purchased the former Bobst North America premises located at 146 and 170 Harrison Avenue in Roseland less than a year ago, per Jersey Digs. The company recently revealed they plan to construct a housing development with 177 apartments, 34 townhomes, and a clubhouse.
Montclair Governor’s Educators of the Year Honored at BOE Meeting
Select staff members of the Montclair Public School System were named New Jersey Department of Education’s Governor’s Educators of the Year, at the BOE meeting held on May 17th. The honorees were selected by their respective schools for their innovation and service outside the classroom that leads to student success. Click here to see the full list.
Firefighters Honored Following Rescue of Trapped Worker
This month, three firefighters in Montclair received the 200 Club of Essex County 2020 Valor Award at Essex Fells Fire Headquarters, per Montclair Local, for rescuing a worker who had become trapped under a crane. On December 19th, 2020, the Essex Fells Fire department received a report of an overturned crane. The team arrived at the scene to find a tree service truck had overturned while the crane was fully extended, trapping a worker underneath. Montclair Firefighters Greg Miller, Greg Murray, Matt Gifford, and Lt. Chris Meletta worked together to free the individual.
