The Montclair Girl Team 
Somehow, it’s all coming to an end. Our World Cup summer will come to a close this evening with the final match, starting at 3PM between Argentina + Spain. It’s been another busy week in Montclair + Essex County and we’ve got all the headlines to keep you in the loop. Among the highlights: two Montclair restaurants closed; Barknic is announced for August; and rapper 50 Cent will be in Clifton next month.
You can read more at the links below, and always feel free to submit any news tips to [email protected]. Our twice-weekly newsletter shares more as well, which you can sign up for here (it’s so great, promise)!
– New York City brunch spot Pig & Butter will open at 401 Orange Road in Montclair on July 31st, bringing all-day brunch, small plates, creative cocktails, and recurring events to its new location (The Montclair Girl).
– The Able Baker has opened a second location at 209 Valley Street in South Orange (The Montclair Girl).
– FIFA is selling preserved pieces of the Rutgers-bred turf used for the 2026 World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium for $450 each (The New Jersey Girl).
– La Bella Princess Cafe must close its Verona location after the zoning board upheld the rescission of its operating permit, though the owners plan to relocate elsewhere in Northern New Jersey (The Montclair Girl).
– Chef Natalie Lee closed Montclair sister businesses Mikki + Al’s Noshery and Plum Bakery after more than 40 years in professional kitchens and announced her retirement (The Montclair Girl).
– Smoke from wildfires in Ontario prompted air quality alerts across New Jersey and the New York City metro area, with residents advised to limit strenuous outdoor activity while the smoke remained in the region (The Hoboken Girl).
– Rapper and entrepreneur 50 Cent will host a bottle-signing event for his Branson Cognac and Le Chemin du Roi Champagne brands at Stew Leonard’s Wine + Spirits in Clifton (The Montclair Girl).
– Barknic will bring adoptable pets, vendors, raffles, music, and family-friendly activities to Lackawanna Station in Montclair on August 8th to raise money for Wise Animal Rescue (The Montclair Girl).
– Spain and Argentina will compete in the 2026 World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium on July 19th, with major traffic and transit impacts and the tournament’s first final halftime show expected (The Montclair Girl).
– A proposed mixed-use development would demolish the buildings at 6 and 12 Baldwin Street, including the current home of Nicolo’s Bakery, with the Montclair Historic Preservation Commission scheduled to review the plans on August 20th (The Montclair Girl).
– Montclair promoted and appointed 11 police officers as part of an effort to strengthen the department’s ranks (Montclair Local).
– Ahead of the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19th, Spain’s team was spotted in Montclair (Montclair Local).
– A community piano in downtown Montclair has been removed (@dwntwnmontclair via Instagram).
– Construction is underway to replace Montclair’s Label Street bridge as part of a local infrastructure improvement project (Montclair Local).
– Cousin’s Burger opened its second New Jersey location at 80 Main Street in Hackensack (New Jersey 101.5).
– Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy visited Crispy Crust Pizza in Englewood and gave its round pie a 6.8 rating during his One Bite Pizza Review (New Jersey 101.5).
– Out Montclair co-founders Peter Yacobellis and Lauren Albrecht were selected as grand marshals of the 2026 Newark Pride Parade (Montclair Local).
– Acclaimed director and New Jersey native Kevin Smith talked about why New Jersey’s historical role in the film industry is an important part of the American 250 Celebrations (Gothamist).
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