It's beginning to feel a lot like winter as freezing temperatures graced our area this week. It’s been another busy week in Essex County and we’ve got all the news to keep you up to date. Among the highlights: free parking starts in Bloomfield for the holidays; a new French-Asian Bakery is taking over the former Lululemon space in Montclair; and Weequahic Park unveils new tennis, basketball + pickleball courts. Read on for all the news in Essex County for the week ending December 8th, 2024.

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Among the Headlines (read on for full stories):

• Signage Spotted for Mashed Burgers in Montclair on Bloomfield Avenue
• New Jersey Chain, Bubbakoo’s Burritos, Opens Newark Location
• Weequahic Park Unveils New Tennis, Basketball, + Pickleball Courts
• Free Parking Starts in Bloomfield for the Holidays
• Construction Begins at Montclair Senior Center
• NJ Devils Welcome Young Superfan Battling Cancer
• New French-Asian Bakery Taking Over Former Lululemon Space in Montclair
• Officers Honored at Bloomfield Police Department's Annual Awards Ceremony
• Montclair’s Welcomes New Menswear Store, Mister
• Montclair State Receives $1M to Expand Native American + Indigenous Studies Program

Check Out The Montclair Girl’s Holiday Shopping Deals Guide 2024

To help you cross some names off of your gift-giving list and get into the groove of the holiday season, we’ve put together a holiday shopping guide so readers can get acquainted with local businesses in the Northern New Jersey area — ranging from food + drink to wellness, beauty, health, fitness, and so much more. Plus, most of the businesses included in our downloadable guide have an exclusive code, just for MG readers. Click here for more.

Construction Begins at Montclair Senior Center

On Monday, December 2nd, the public/private partnership between the township, the Placek Family Foundation, and The Montclair Modern Aging Collective (The Collective) announced that construction has begun on the Lifelong Montclair Center for Modern Aging at 60 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair. The space has been cleared and architectural plans have been drafted, per Patch Montclair. Some features will include an open reception area, a multi-purpose open space for gatherings and classes, office space for staff members, and an up-to-date computer lab for peer-to-peer tech training.

Signage Spotted for Mashed Burgers in Montclair on Bloomfield Avenue

As an addition to Montclair’s ever-growing food scene, signage for Mashed Burgers, a burger and dessert restaurant, was recently spotted at 360 Bloomfield Avenue — the location of the former Poke 360. The restaurant plans to open in early 2025. Click here for more.

Newark's First Panera Bread Location Opens

Glen Ridge Passes Ordinance to Restrict Leaf Blower Usage

On Monday, November 25th, Glen Ridge passed an ordinance restricting leaf blower usage in the borough. Council members voted unanimously on Ordinance 1816 to limit gas leaf blowers to seasonal use in the spring and fall. Gas-powered leaf blowers will be limited to April 1st through May 15th and again from October 15th through December 15th, while electric/battery-powered blowers will be permitted year-round. Turbo blowers will be limited to properties of five acres or more, per Montclair Local. No leaf blowers will be acceptable for chemical applications. The move is intended to strengthen the community’s commitment to public health and wellness and environmental sustainability.

Free Parking Starts in Bloomfield for the Holidays

New Jersey-Based Chain Bubbakoo’s Burritos Opens Newark Location

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Bubbakoo’s Burritos, a fast-growing Mexican restaurant chain in New Jersey, has launched its latest location in the shadow of the Newark Rutgers University campus. Late last month, Bubbakoo's opened its 40th location at 136 Washington Street. Dhruval Patel (the owner of this location) is a seasoned multi-unit entrepreneur and owns and operates Bubbakoo’s locations in West Orange and Saddle Brook. According to JerseyDigs, Bubbakoo’s Burritos was started by Paul Altero and Bill Hart to highlight the roots of New Jersey’s skater and shore scene.

Weequahic Park Unveils New Tennis, Basketball, + Pickleball Courts

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. recently announced the completion of modernization projects for the tennis and basketball courts along Newark's Elizabeth Avenue in Weequahic Park. The upgrades include new playing surfaces, fencing, and equipment for the tennis and basketball courts, per NJ.com. One tennis court was also transformed into two pickleball courts to meet the increasing demand for the popular sport. The improvements come as part of Executive DiVincenzo’s ongoing initiative to revitalize the Essex County Parks System and provide up-to-date facilities for locals.

NJ Devils Welcome Young Superfan Battling Cancer

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The New Jersey Devils hosted the annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night last week, where 12-year-old superfan and East Brunswick native Theo Koshenkov was treated to a special day with the team. The event raised funds for the Oncology Healing Room within the Cancer Center at Clara Maass Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility. The Devils hosted Theo and his family at the Washington Capitals game after receiving a one-day contract signed by General Manager Tom Fitzgerald. Theo — an East Brunswick resident — was diagnosed with Lymphoma earlier this year. According to Patch Newark, he also received an official team-signed jersey, locker stall, and a “meet and greet” session with his favorite player, Jack Hughes. In addition, Theo watched warmups from the penalty box, took part in a pre-game locker room experience, participated in a ceremonial puck drop, and rode the Zamboni.

Essex County Holiday Food Distribution Event Happening on 12/19

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and RWJBarnabas Health will present a Holiday Food Distribution Event on Thursday, December 19th at 9AM, rain or shine, to help families facing food insecurity or impacted by inflation and rising food costs. The event is set to take place at the Essex County Branch Brook Park Cherry Blossom Welcome Center. There will be boxes of non-perishable food available and 1,000 frozen turkeys on a first-come first-served basis. One box of food and one turkey will be provided to each family or car while supplies last, per Montclair Local. It is estimated that over three and a half million meals were distributed during past food drives.

New French-Asian Bakery Taking Over Former Lululemon Space in Montclair

Since October 2023, 520 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair has remained vacant since Lululemon closed its doors to move to Willowbrook Mall. According to recent signage spotted in the space by The Montclair Girl, Tours les Jours, a French-Asian bakery originating in South Korea, is coming to the former athletic clothing store. Montclair locals can look forward to an expansive menu of baked goods, which includes cakes, savory and sweet breads, doughnuts, and more. Click here for more.

Bloomfield Township Celebrates Fire Department Promotional + Appointment Ceremony

On Monday, December 2nd, the Township of Bloomfield celebrated the achievements of the Bloomfield Fire Department during their Promotional and Appointment Ceremony, held at the Bloomfield Council Chambers. The event honored the hard work, dedication, and commitment of firefighters beginning their service to the community and those ascending to new roles. Mayor Jenny Mundell swore in the new firefighters — Addison Valencia, Charles Pierce, Nicholas Conforti, Kevin Negron, and John Algieri — and promoted Captains Kevin Hilaire, Erick Stone, Derek Hernandez, and Michael Elias, congratulating them all and thanking their families. According to a press release from Moss Media, the Township of Bloomfield commends all honorees for their achievements and extends heartfelt gratitude for their ongoing service to the community.

Laguna Beach Jewelry Brand, gorjana, to Open Second New Jersey Location In Millburn

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The fast-growing Laguna Beach-based jewelry brand, gorjana, announced last month that the continuation of its East Coast retail expansion has led to a second New Jersey storefront in Short Hills, opening Sunday, December 15th. Shoppers can browse the nationally-recognized brand’s popular designs, including gold jewelry featuring diamonds, opals, sapphires, and more at the new 649-square-foot store. With 90 stores across the country, gorjana has "something for everyone" with its ever-growing collection of timeless designs including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, and more, per a press release.

Demolition of Old Bloomfield DPW Building To Begin At Grove Street

The long-awaited demolition of the old Department of Public Works (DPW) building at 230 Grove Street officially began on Tuesday, December 3rd, marking the start of a significant transformation for the site. According to a press release from the township, the building — which has been abandoned since the late 1990s due to its asbestos presence — underwent comprehensive asbestos abatement this past summer. This was completed under strict adherence to NJDEP regulations to ensure the health and safety of the community. The demolition process will include continued air sampling and dust control measures, consisting of wetting the structure to prevent dust release into the environment. The project is funded by a $1.4 million grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and is expected to be completed by the end of February 2025, in line with the contractor’s schedule.

Montclair to Disband Police Chaplain Program

Montclair has decided to disband its police chaplain program after concern about one police chaplain, Kevin Dawud Amin, an imam at Masjid al Wadud, made social media posts that residents and the township’s Civil Rights Commission have stated are antisemitic. Township Manager Michael Lapolla announced the decision during a council meeting (above) on Tuesday, December 3rd. Councilors agreed they would repeal the local law, which was approved in 2017, that established the program of volunteer chaplains. The Montclair Civil Rights Commission, residents, and the Anti-Defamation League of New York and New Jersey have said his posts are antisemitic, per Montclair Local.

Officers Honored at Bloomfield Police Department's Annual Awards Ceremony

The Bloomfield Police Department held its annual Awards Ceremony at Carteret School on Tuesday, December 3rd, to honor the exceptional service and dedication of its officers. According to a press release from the township, the evening’s honorees included Officer Nicholas Santorella and Officer Gary Peters Jr., who received the prestigious “Medal of Honor,” the highest recognition of the evening, for acts of heroic courage in the line of duty despite imminent personal risk. Lieutenant Daniel Niekrasz was also honored with the Chief’s Award, personally selected by Chief Ricci, for his exceptional dedication and commitment to making the Bloomfield Police Department, one of the most professional and efficient agencies throughout the state. Police Chief George Ricci also honored the Central Communications Dispatchers, which he referred to as the unsung heroes of the department, for their critical behind-the-scenes role in ensuring public safety.

Montclair Resident Gets Donated Room Renovation on TV

Four-year-old Montclair resident Hailey Fruhschein recently received a functional sensory-friendly space dedicated to Hailey’s developmental needs on an episode of NBC's George to the Rescue. She was diagnosed with Jordan’s Syndrome, a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by seizures and mobility challenges, at eight months old. Hailey is a joyous child who continues to amaze her loved ones and therapists with her perseverance and determination as she continues to conquer new milestones.

Montclair’s Welcomes New Menswear Store, Mister

The Montclair Girl recently stumbled upon the new Mister Menswear store, located at 12 North Willow Street in Montclair. Mister is open to those who want to browse, find a gift, completely transform their look, or treat themselves to something new. Natalie Haddad, the owner, also owns Monty, an innovative women’s store right around the corner from Mister. Click here for more.

Montclair State Receives $1M To Expand Native American + Indigenous Studies Program

The Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) program of Montclair State University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences has recently been awarded a three-year, $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation to create a new center — the New Jersey Center for Indigenous Justice (NJCIJ) — and to expand its programming. The NJCIJ will be a center for communication, fundraising, events, and gatherings that highlight the specific questions facing Montclair’s Indigenous students and the state’s tribal communities. It will coordinate the University’s work to change public narratives, increase Indigenous student enrollment, and pursue justice-oriented action on issues affecting Native people in New Jersey, per Montclair State University. The NAIS program emphasizes the priorities of New Jersey’s state-recognized Native American tribes — the Ramapough Lunaape, Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape, and Powhatan Renape nations — which include environmental justice, political recognition, cultural heritage, and language revitalization.

Millburn-Short Hills Welcomes 2024 Winter Villages

Explore Millburn-Short Hills has brought back its Winter Villages this year. It will continue on Saturday, December 14th, with a bake sale benefitting Coding for Good of MHS + free specialty coffee from Dunkin'. The event will include holiday characters, music, games + giveaways, and more. More information can be found online.

Montclair's $95K Pigeon Poop Plan Now On Pause

On Tuesday, December 3rd, Montclair’s town council held off on approving nearly $95,000 in netting to keep pooping pigeons out of the town’s public works garage — which local officials said poses a health risk for town workers. According to Montclair Local, the problem of pigeons dropping their feces in the Department of Community Services’ expansive garage on North Fullerton Street led the council to consider awarding a $94,760 contract to Giacorp Contracting Inc., of Hawthorne, New York, for “bird control netting.” The contractor was planning to put netting inside the facility to prevent birds from roosting on the rafters. It is unknown where the plan will go from here, but one official offered the alternative solution of hiring a "bird removal team."