Below-freezing temperatures and an arctic blast graced the state this week as a new presidency begins for the United States. 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: Governor Murphy writes an open letter to President Trump about congestion pricing; Montclair parents push for school cell phone ban; and Moss + More in Montclair is closing at the end of the month. Read on for all the news in Essex County for the week ending January 26th, 2024.
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Among the Headlines (read on for full stories):
- Newark Launches Poet Laureate Program to Promote Literary Arts
- The Cannoli Shop Hosts Soft Opening in Fairfield
- Essex County Approves Lower Speed Limits on Grove Street in Montclair
- New Indian Grocery Store, Desi Dukaan, Opens in Bloomfield
- Accelerator Program Awards 16 Newark Small Business Owners
- Montclair Parents Push for School Cell Phone Ban
- Details Announced for 78th Annual Glen Ridge Antiques Show
- Moss + More in Montclair is Closing at the End of the Month
- Montclair Nonprofit Sets Record-High Demand for Overnight Shelter at Renovated Restaurant
- Essex County Food Drive Event Collects 1k Cans of Soup
New Indian Grocery Store, Desi Dukaan, Opens in Bloomfield
A new Indian grocery store, Desi Dukaan (Desi meaning “from the homeland” and Dukaan meaning “your local store”), has recently opened its doors at 548 Broad Street in Bloomfield. The store provides a diverse selection of Indian and European products, from ready-to-eat meals, spices, and snacks to desserts and refreshing drinks. Desi Dukaan is open from 9AM-8:30PM every day.
The Montclair Girl Launches 4th Annual Puppy Bowl
Everyone’s favorite Puppy Bowl, hosted by The Montclair Girl, has returned for its fourth year to support animal welfare. This year, MG has chosen two organizations that contestants can donate to: Wise Animal Rescue, local to New Jersey, and Ace of Hearts Rescue, based in Los Angeles. While Ace of Hearts Rescue is not connected to the Montclair area, we want to show our support while the Los Angeles area recovers from the devastating wildfires. We will also be donating a portion of the sponsorships we receive to these selected non-profits. The contest began this week and will end on Sunday, February 9th. On that final day one lucky dog will be crowned the winner of some amazing local prizes. Click here for all the details.
Montclair Parents Push for School Cell Phone Ban
Parents from the advocacy group Screen Aware Montclair are urging the school district to adopt a “bell-to-bell” ban on students’ use of cell phones in its public schools. According to Montclair Local, this comes after Governor Phil Murphy showed support for banning cell phones in schools. On December 16th, 2024, the school board tabled an initial policy on cell phone use, but leadership now has an opportunity to be specific about what it wants cell phone use to look like in schools as it considers an official policy on cell phone use.
New Jersey Sues Federal Government Over Birthright Citizenship
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin has announced a lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of President Donald Trump’s executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship. General Platkin said New Jersey joins 17 other states, the District of Columbia, and the city of San Francisco — in challenging the executive order. According to NorthJersey.com, the attorney general said the executive order is an “assault on the rule of law” and “attacks a right that is core to our nation’s earliest days.” President Trump’s order would take effect in the next 30 days and directs the Social Security Administration to no longer to recognize the children as citizens and the State Department to stop issuing them passports.
Newark Launches Poet Laureate Program to Promote Literary Arts
Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced on Tuesday, January 7th, that the City of Newark is accepting applications for its inaugural Poet Laureate, a historic official appointment whose role is to promote the literary arts for city residents. The program aims to select a local poet every two years to serve in the Laureate role to “inspire and encourage residents in their writing and personal expression, bring attention to poetry in less traditional settings, and initiate a dialogue between local poets, cultural organizations, and community institutions.” Eligible applicants must be at least 21 years old, have resided in Newark for at least two years, and have produced work that is significant to the citizens of Newark. More information about applying is available online.
Governor Murphy Writes Open Letter to President Trump About Congestion Pricing
On Monday, January 20th, Governor Murphy sent a letter to President Trump on his first day in office pushing the Trump Administration to give New York’s congestion pricing close reexamination. According to a press release from Governor Murphy’s office, the letter stated, “As you begin your second term as President, I welcome any opportunity to work with you and your Administration where we can find common ground… I am requesting that New York’s congestion pricing scheme receive the close look it deserved but did not receive from the federal government last year.” The full open letter can be found here.
Truck + Trailer with Expensive Tools Stolen in Montclair
On Thursday, January 16th, the Montclair Police Department reported that a truck and trailer with expensive tools intact was stolen from a work site. The report details that a green Toyota Tundra and a trailer filled with $5,000 worth of tools drove off southbound on North Fullerton Avenue after a man pulled up to a work site with his equipment. The trailer was recovered later in the day in Clifton and the truck was recovered the following day in New York City, per Patch Montclair.
The Cannoli Shop Hosts Soft Opening in Fairfield
Photo Credit: The Cannoli Shop
A new cannoli-focused bar + cafe, The Cannoli Shop, had its soft opening this week in Fairfield. Located at 376 Hollywood Avenue, visitors can customize their cannoli with over 15 toppings and drizzles. Read more here.
Two Cars Stolen During Montclair Home Burglary
On Tuesday, January 14th, two cars were stolen from a Montclair home on Heller Drive during a burglary. The residents of the home discovered that their 2025 BMW X6 and 2021 BMW X5 were missing along with a purse, as well as a window and several kitchen drawers. Security footage shows two men entering through the back door of the home at 5:08AM, per Patch Montclair. No additional information is available at the time of this publishing.
Essex County Approves Lower Speed Limits on Grove Street in Montclair
On Thursday, January 16th, the Essex County Board of County Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution to approve a lower speed limit of 25 MPH on Grove Street in Montclair. According to a news release from the township, this resolution comes as part of a larger effort to increase pedestrian safety with Montclair’s Vision Zero Task Force. The Task Force aims to eliminate all traffic-related injuries and deaths in the municipality by 2028.
Details Announced for 78th Annual Glen Ridge Antiques Show
The Glen Ridge Antiques Show, one of the country’s longest-running antiques shows, is returning to Essex County at Glen Ridge Congregational Church. This show represents the best in vintage furniture, art, and collectibles to both the casual browser and the serious shopper. It will take place on Friday, January 31st from 10AM-7PM and on Saturday, February 1st from 10AM-4:30PM. Tickets are $10 general admission and are valid for both days, but ticketholders must have a re-entry pass and I.D. to return to the show.
Accelerator Program Awards 16 Newark Small Business Owners
Invest Newark celebrated the graduation of 16 small business owners from its Executive Business Accelerator Program during a recent ceremony hosted at Newark City Hall. The graduates identified as majorly Black or African American, followed by women-owned businesses and Hispanic or Latino. The seven-month program provides established small business owners with over $100,000 in annual revenues and at least one other employee with practical training in areas like strategic planning, marketing, and financial management, per ROINJ.
Montclair Nonprofit Sets Record-High Demand for Overnight Shelter at Renovated Restaurant
Montclair Emergency Services for Hope (MESH) is currently providing overnight emergency shelter at the former space of the Office Bar + Grill during this winter’s frigid temperatures. MESH, which has been providing shelter in this space since Thanksgiving, has seen the number of people seeking food each night double to over 60 from about 33 last winter. As of now, the annual plan is to stay open until Tuesday, April 1st, or longer if freezing temperatures last past that date, per Montclair Local.
Moss + More in Montclair is Closing at the End of the Month
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Moss + More on Bellevue Avenue in Upper Montclair has created a space for the community to gather, learn, and express everyone’s creative sides together. Earlier this month, Moss + More announced its upcoming closure, and now we know that the store will officially close on Friday, January 31st, 2025. Click here for more.
Essex County Food Drive Event Collects 1k Cans of Soup
Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie helped lead a holiday-themed food drive and concert at Tierney’s Tavern in Montclair last month to support Power of One and Toni’s Kitchen. According to Patch Montclair, 1,000 cans of soup were collected along with donations of juice, cereal, and fruit cups which were all added to “emergency relief kits” that were distributed to neighbors in need. According to Assemblywoman Bagolie, food insecurity remains a pressing issue in New Jersey, especially during the colder months.
ICE Agents Raid Newark Business and Detains Residents + Citizens
On Thursday, January 23rd, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid took place without a warrant at a Newark business. Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka said a U.S. military veteran was among undocumented residents as well as U.S. citizens were detained during the incident. The name of the business, as well as the number of detainees, has not been released by city or ICE officials, per TAPinto Newark. Mayor Baraka, a Democrat who is seeking nomination to run for governor, said that Thursday’s raid was an “egregious act” that is “in plain violation of the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution,” which guarantees the right against unreasonable searches and seizures. ICE reportedly issued a statement confirming the raid and said U.S. citizens may have been detained. The raid in New Jersey’s largest city follows President Trump’s pledge to deport millions of immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally, including in sanctuary cities that have policies protecting illegal immigrants, which Newark has been since 2017.