The Montclair Girl Team 
June is coming to a close, but there’s still plenty of summer left. The World Cup is still going strong, Fourth of July + USA 250 celebrations are on the horizon, and there are things happening in every corner of Montclair + Essex County. We’ve put together a list of everything you need to go as the festivities carry on, including a brand new vegan bakery at Lackawanna Station; World Cup team sightings at MC Hotel; and New Jersey being named the 3rd loudest state in America (proudly).
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)!
– Yellow Rose Vegan Bakery, a fully vegan cafe, opened at Lackawanna Station in Montclair (The Montclair Girl).
– The New Jersey Devils mascot was spotted celebrating the World Cup with Norway soccer fans (The New Jersey Girl).
– The Montclair Pride Festival was postponed again to a new 10/11 date, due to funding challenges and confusion surrounding township approval (The Montclair Girl).
World Cup fans named East Rutherford as one of the hardest host cities to navigate during the tournament, due to traffic and commuting complications (The Bergen County Girl).
– The Maplewoodstock Music + Arts Festival was announced to return from 7/11 – 7/12 (The Montclair Girl).
– Ju-Ichi, a new Japanese restaurant that is also BYOB, opened in Montclair (The Montclair Girl).
– New Jersey was named the 3rd loudest state in America, which we proudly claim (The Local Girl).
– Team Germany was spotted at The MC Hotel in Montclair ahead of its World Cup match (The Montclair Girl).
– The Saucy Cup, originally based in Wayne, announced an expansion to Elmwood Park (The Bergen County Girl).
– A child and an off-duty firefighter were among four people injured in an early morning house fire in Newark (NJ.com).
– Montclair artist Liz Murphy is closing her studio after seven years and hosting a farewell open house on 7/27 (Liz Murphy Studio).
– Montclair celebrated 17 winners of the 2026 Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching, including 16 teachers + 1 school counselor (Montclair Local).
– A wandering bear was spotted roaming Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, leading to a temporary closure (Patch).
– Montclair schools approved a new contract with the food service company Sodexo after a controversial Juneteenth lunch menu incident (Montclair Local).
– Simone Kelly, a Maplewood resident, helped save a life during the New York Knicks championship parade (NJ.com).
– A debate occurred over Montclair’s Antisemitism definition during staff training (Montclair Local).
– Eight New Jersey residents were among 455 people charged nationwide in a coordinated health care fraud enforcement action (MSN).
– Montclair High School announced that it will have its first official flag football season in 2027 (Montclair Local).
– Montclair retained the highest possible credit rating from S&P Global Ratings (Township of Montclair).
– The New Jersey Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2026 members, which comprises 13 inductees (New Jersey Hall of Fame).
– The Montclair Scholarship Fund awarded half a million dollars to Montclair High School seniors (Montclair Local).
– Hundreds of high school students earned college degrees before graduating, thanks to dual enrollment programs (NJ.com).
– A new Mexican restaurant, Taco De Ojo Taqueria, recently opened in Bloomfield (RevealedByRicky).
– 12 New Jersey neighborhoods ranked among the hottest housing markets in the country, including Glen Ridge and Long Valley (NJ.com).
– One of our favorite local traditions: Montclair High School seniors had a little victory lap around town to celebrate the last day of school (via @themontclairgirl on Instagram)
Have a tip? Please email us at [email protected] to share
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