The Montclair Girl Team 
August 2025 has officially arrived in the Montclair area. It’s been another busy week in Essex County, and we’ve got all the Montclair news to keep you up to date. Among the highlights: a fire breaks out at Ahava Felicidad Hair + Body in Montclair, Fleet Feet closes until further notice, Valley Mart Convenience + Fresh Food opens in the Former QuickChek in Montclair, and the former Hudson Rose Team announces a new concept called Bacarosa for its Nutley location. Read on for all the news in Montclair and the surrounding Essex County towns for the week ending August 3rd, 2025.
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Among the Headlines (read on for full stories):
- Fire at Ahava Felicidad Hair + Body in Montclair; Fleet Feet Closed Until Further Notice
- Valley Mart Convenience + Fresh Food Opens in the Former QuickChek in Montclair
- Montclair Mile, Annual Run + Block Party to Support Toni’s Kitchen, Happening on 8/7
- Former Hudson Rose Team Announces New Concept ‘Bacarosa’ for Its Nutley Location
- Sponsorship Scam Alert Targeting Local Businesses in Montclair
- Pockets of Light Fundraiser Raising Perinatal Loss Awareness to Take Place on 9/27 in Montclair
- Bao Dumplings + Bao Tea Opens in Verona
- ‘Peach Party Cook Off’ Happening at Nutley Farmer’s Market on Sunday 8/3
- MM by Morimoto Opens in Montclair
- Cowan’s Public in Nutley Named One of USA TODAY’s Bars of the Year
Fire at Ahava Felicidad Hair + Body in Montclair; Fleet Feet Closed Until Further Notice
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A fire broke out at Ahava Felicidad Hair + Body, located at 4 Midland Avenue, Montclair, around 12PM on Tuesday, July 29th. There were no injuries, and the salon was empty at the time of the fire, according to Montclair Local. Fleet Feet, the neighboring storefront to Ahava Felicidad Hair + Body, also sustained smoke damage and announced on Instagram that it will remain closed until further notice. Currently under investigation, the cause of the fire remains unknown as of this writing.
Valley Mart Convenience + Fresh Food Opens in the Former
QuickChek in Montclair
Valley Mart Convenience + Fresh Food, a new deli and convenience store, has opened in the former QuickChek space at 146 Valley Road, Montclair. As per Montclair Local, QuickCheck closed its doors on July 24th, and the new business moved in just a day later on July 25th. Aiming to be a one-stop shop, Valley Mart, open 24 hours a day, sells breakfast sandwiches, wraps, salads, grocery items, pet food, and more.
Montclair Mile, Annual Run + Block Party to Support Toni’s Kitchen, Happening on 8/7
Montclair Mile, an annual block party and mile-run fundraiser, is returning to the MTC on Thursday, August 7th, from 5:20PM to 8PM. To benefit Toni’s Kitchen, a food ministry of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, attendees can expect a one-mile race, family activities, music, food vendors, and more. Check-in takes place in front of Montclair Brewery at 101 Walnut Street before the race, and the run starts on Depot Square heading north. Click here for more.
Former Hudson Rose Team Announces New Concept ‘Bacarosa’ for Its Nutley Location
The Hudson Rose at 238 Franklin Avenue in Nutley closed its doors on July 26th, 2025, with plans to reopen later this summer under a new concept. Now we know this new concept is called Bacarosa, a modern Italian restaurant planning to serve classic staple dishes like pizza, pasta, and more. Click here for more.
Sponsorship Scam Alert Targeting Local Businesses in Montclair
A sponsorship scam claiming to be affiliated with Montclair High School’s basketball and cheerleading teams has targeted local businesses, allegedly offering sponsored t-shirts to be thrown at upcoming games. “A caller, a man named Morgan, delivered a very convincing and scripted pitch and followed up with emails, invoices, a W-9, and a payment link,” a source close to the situation shared. The source claims that this is a well-documented national scam with no verified affiliation with the high school.
Pockets of Light Fundraiser Raising Perinatal Loss Awareness to Take Place on 9/27 in Montclair
Pockets of Light, a Montclair-based nonprofit and 501(c)(3) organization aiming to provide free support to parents who have experienced the loss of a baby during pregnancy or shortly after birth, will host its annual fundraising event on September 27th, 2025. It will be held at Pineapple Express, located at 1 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair. Click here for more.
Bao Dumplings + Bao Tea Opens in Verona
Photo Credit: Bao Dumplings + Bao Tea
Bao Dumplings + Bao Tea is Verona’s newest restaurant edition, located at 510 Bloomfield Avenue. Self-proclaimed as ” the best NJ dumplings,” this spot serves a menu of dumplings, buns, wontons, and more, all made from scratch. The Verona storefront is the eatery’s fourth Garden State location.
‘Peach Party Cook Off’ Happening at Nutley Farmer’s Market on Sunday, 8/3
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In celebration of Jersey-Fresh Peach Month, the Nutley Farmers Market has invited residents to bring their best homemade peach pies and a printed recipe for tasting on Sunday, August 3rd. Located on Booth Drive, between Franklin Avenue + Vincent Place, the Peach Party Cook Off will take place from 9AM to 10:30AM at the Greenutley table, per an Instagram post. The tasting begins at 11AM, and a winner will be announced shortly after via social media.
MM by Morimoto Opens in Montclair
The long-awaited Montclair restaurant, owned and operated by the world-renowned Iron Chef, Masaharu Morimoto, is now open in Montclair. MM by Morimoto, located at 193 Glenridge Avenue in the former Maddox and Musuko space, opened its doors for the first time on July 31st, 2025. Click here for more.
Cowan’s Public in Nutley Named One of USA TODAY‘s Bars of the Year
Cowan’s Public in Nutley has been named one of USA TODAY’s Bars of the Year 2025. Located at 229 Centre Street, Cowan’s Public is an Essex County restaurant known for its craft cocktails, microbrews, and American eats. Georgie’s at 810 Fifth Avenue, Asbury Park, is another New Jersey establishment that made the list.
Newark’s Clinton Milk + Co. Building to Be Redeveloped into New Apartment Complex
The Newark Central Planning Board approved a proposal to turn the former Clinton Milk + Co. building into a 426-unit apartment building, featuring three-bedroom units, outdoor patios, and a ground-level retail space, per Jersey Digs. Founded in 1921, the Clinton Milk + Co. was a dairy and beverage distributor based at 353 Morris Avenue in the city’s Central Ward.
Newark Downtown District + Greater Newark Convention and Visitors Bureau Merge Under One Organization
The Newark Downtown District (NDD) and the Greater Newark Convention and Visitors Bureau (GNCVB) have officially merged under the Newark Alliance, forming a unified organization with a 15-member governing board. The group will focus on keeping the downtown area of the city clean and safe, boosting tourism, supporting local businesses, and leading efforts to address Newark’s challenges, such as healthcare access and affordability, per Patch.
Adam Sandler Lookalike Contest Takes Place in Montclair
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Porta in Montclair hosted a “Night of 1000 Adam Sandlers,” a dance party and Adam Sandler lookalike contest, on Friday, August 1st. Local residents showed up in their best celebrity look for a chance to win tickets to Wellmont Theater’s Duel of the Decades: 90s vs Y2k, an interactive live music competition happening on October 10th, 2025. Click here for more.
Lineup Announced for Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown
Jamboree + Block Party
The lineup has been announced for the annual Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown Jamboree + Block Party, happening on September 13th, 2025. Kicking off the festival on the main stage is The Gotham Kings, led by trumpeter and two-time Grammy winner Alphonso Horne. Other headliners performing on the main stage include Lakecia Benjamin + Phoenix, Jazzmeia Horn, Christian McBride’s Ursa Major, and the Jazz House Collective. On the Emerging Musicians Stage, attendees can look forward to hearing from over 50 young artists from the Jazz House Kids program. Click here for more.
Traffic Signals Updated in Montclair, Two Years After Pedestrian Death
In 2023, a driver struck and killed David Folkenflik’s 83-year-old mother, Vivian Folkenflik, at the Bellevue Avenue and Park Street intersection in Montclair, a tragedy attributed to outdated traffic signals and the absence of crosswalk indicators. In July 2025, two years after the incident, the township had taken action by installing taller, more visible traffic lights and pedestrian signals to improve safety at the intersection, according to Montclair Local.
Annual National Night Out Returning to Montclair on 8/5
National Night Out, an annual free event boasting games, inflatables, and a “dunk a cop” booth, is set to return to Lackawanna Station in Montclair on August 5th, 2025. Taking place from 5PM to 8PM, this event is meant to be “a national community-building campaign, held annually, that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie,” per a social media post.
Forensic Audit of Montclair School District’s Finances Reveals
$11 Million Deficit
After Montclair residents previously demanded a forensic audit of the school district’s finances, the township revealed a $11 million deficit on Wednesday, August 30th. Excluding the upcoming 2025–2026 budget, the shortfall in Montclair’s 2024–2025 school budget is mainly due to outstanding costs, including $4.5 million owed to the Essex Regional Educational Services Commission, $2.3 million in teacher salaries, $1.4 million for employee benefits, $1.2 million for custodial services and utilities, $546,000 for out-of-district tuition, $447,000 for paraprofessional services, and $197,000 in child study team expenses,, as per Montclair Local.
Montclair Brewery Brings Back the Doby Major Leagues Caramel Pale Ale, This Time in a Can
In honor of Larry Doby, a former Montclair resident, baseball icon, and the first Black athlete to integrate the American League, Montclair Brewery at 101 Walnut Street has re-released a fan-favorite beverage, now available in a can for the first time. Doby Major Leagues Caramel Pale Ale is a “smooth American pale ale with pine and citrus hop flavors balanced by warm, toasty notes of caramel,” the brewery shared with The Montclair Girl.
Montclair + Essex County Summer Bucket List: 50 Must-Try Activities for 2025
The Montclair Girl has created a free and downloadable summer bucket list of activities featuring 50 local things to do, including outdoor adventures, foodie spots, must-attend festivals, and more. Readers can expect to find ideas like walking the South Mountain Reservation Fairy Trail, paddleboarding at Verona Park, and more. Download our guide to a local Montclair + Essex County summer here.
Applications Open for Livingston Police Department’s
Citizens Police Academy
Applications have opened for the sixth installment of the Livingston Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy, taking place this year from September 3rd to October 15th. This is a six-week program “designed to give [Livingston residents] an understanding of the operation of the Livingston Police Department and a working knowledge of what law enforcement entails,” per its website. The deadline to submit applications is August 15th, and the classes will be held on Wednesdays from 10AM to 11:30AM at the Senior/Community Center at 204 Hillside Avenue.
