North Jersey got a taste of summer amidst the ongoing drought earlier this week as spooky season is just around the corner. 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: Port Authority releases renderings of plans to rebuild Newark Airport; Montclair Township hires its third new communications director this year; and a new coffee shop + candle studio is opening in Montclair. Read on for all the news in Essex County for the week ending October 27th, 2024.
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Among the Headlines (read on for full stories):
- New Coffee Shop + Candle Studio Opening in Montclair on 10/31
- Montclair’s Bleu Coffee to Open on 11/3
- Leaf Collection To Begin On Essex County Roads
- Carrello Di Cannoli to Open ‘The Cannoli Shop’ in Fairfield
- Small Business Aid Program Launches in Partnership with NJ Devils
- White House Chefs Give Cooking Lessons to Newark Students
- Montclair Township Hires Third New Communications Director This Year
- Almost $5k of Meat + Seafood Stolen From Montclair Supermarket
- Woman Involved in Montclair Gyro Shop Flag Ripping Charged with Bias Intimidation
- Livingston Fire Department Begins 2024 Fund Drive
New Coffee Shop + Candle Studio Opening in Montclair on 10/31
On Thursday, October 31st, Lit Cafe, a specialty coffee brand, and Lit Lab, a candle studio, will open their shared doors for the first time at 25 Church Street. This space will feature both sister brands and host a festive Halloween event to mark the companies’ opening night. Attendees can look forward to trick-or-treating fun, a special look at the cafe’s fall menu, and much more. Click here for details about Lit Cafe + Lit Lab and the companies’ opening night.
Noted Bloomfield Jazz Saxophonist to Perform in the “Home of Jazz”
On Friday, November 22nd at 8PM, Bloomfield resident Eric Alexander will perform at Flushing Town Hall in Queens, a historic venue that frequently hosts up-and-coming as well as established jazz musicians and NEA Jazz Masters. Eric will be joined on stage by David Williams (bass), Neal Smith (drums), and Rick Germanson (piano). According to Patch Bloomfield, Flushing Town Hall recently launched an interactive Queens Jazz Trail map highlighting the homes of famous jazz musicians, from Louis Armstrong to Ella Fitzgerald. Eric is an accomplished bebop saxophonist whose playing is featured on over 100 recorded albums. In-person tickets are $30 and $25 for members, seniors, and students with ID while table packages for two are $100 and $85 for members. The concert will also stream live on Culturestream for anyone interested in attending virtually.
Montclair’s Bleu Coffee to Open on 11/3
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A beloved coffee shop with roots in Jersey City is coming to Essex County this fall. In addition to the already great coffee scene, Montclair will welcome Bleu Coffee’s third location to 8 Erie Street. The cafe’s grand opening is scheduled for Sunday, November 3rd at 9AM and will feature an expansive coffee and tea menu and a variety of baked goods. It will be open Monday through Friday from 5AM-4PM and Saturday and Sunday from 7AM -5PM. Click here to learn more about Bleu Coffee coming to Montclair.
Newark Fire Kills 2 Young Girls
A tragic fire claimed the lives of two young girls in Newark in the early morning of Sunday, October 20th. The fatal fire took place at 26 Eckert Street where witnesses told detectives there was a birthday party for one of the girls on the second floor of the residence, and the girls were playing with fire near a couch in the hallway before the fire spread to the third floor. Emergency responders found the two girls — six and eight years old, respectively — lying unresponsive on the ground with their bodies severely burned. They were both pronounced dead at the scene, per Patch Newark. The prosecutor’s Crime Scene Investigations Bureau, which includes detectives from the Newark Fire Department, is currently investigating the cause of the fire. No additional information is immediately available at this time.
Port Authority Releases Renderings of Plans to Rebuild Newark Airport
Photo Credit: PANYNJ/Creative Commons
On Thursday, October 17th, officials from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey laid out its vision to rebuild Newark Liberty International Airport, starting with expanding the new Terminal A and replacing the aging Terminal B. The airport redevelopment concept was explained in the new $2.7 billion Terminal A, which opened in January 2023 and garnered two global airport awards. Officials said it will set the bar for replacing Terminal B, enhancing Terminal C, and the eventual replacement of that building. According to a press release from The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, there is currently no timeline or estimated cost, but it expects to begin a two- to three-year planning process next year for major elements of the redevelopment, including cost projections and project delivery alternatives. More renderings can be found here.
Guest Bartenders Announced for Hometown Trivia Fundraiser by Montclair History Center
The Montclair History Center (MHC) is inviting New Jersey history buffs and trivia fans alike for a fundraiser at Just Jake’s on Wednesday, November 13th at 6:30PM. Jianna Hall of Hey Jersey Entertainment will facilitate the local trivia fundraiser. According to a press release from MHC, it costs $15 per person for teams of up to six people where participants can enjoy prizes, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, and special guest bartenders. A grand prize will be available for the winner or winning team. Proceeds support the ongoing mission of the Montclair History Center. Guest Bartenders include Donato DiGeronimo of Montclair History Center; Kimberly Latortue, president of Friends of the Howe House; James Cotter, host of Public Comment on Radio Free Montclair; and Georgette Gilmore, Montclair Local’s Engagement Editor. Tickets for interested participants are available online.
The General Store at Cornerstore Montclair Becomes Finalist for 2 Anthem Awards
The General Store at Cornerstone Montclair recently announced that it has been named as a finalist for two Anthem Awards for the 4th Annual Anthem Community Voice Celebration within the Diversity, Equity, + Inclusion category. These two awards include Awareness as well as Team + Internal Initiative, per a press release. Supporters can celebrate The General Store at Cornerstone Montclair’s work by voting in both categories online until Thursday, October 31st. All finalists are also in the running to win a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Anthem Award selected by Anthem judges. The winners will be announced on Tuesday, November 19th.
Leaf Collection To Begin On Essex County Roads
Essex County has released its leaf collection schedule for 2024 with the first round of pickups on county-maintained roads scheduled to begin tomorrow, October 28th. It is advised that leaves should be swept to the curb or placed in biodegradable bags at the curb no more than seven days before the scheduled pickup time and piled leaves should be placed at least 10 feet from a storm drain, per Patch West Orange. Essex County has been divided into four sectors to organize leaf collection on county roads. There will be three pickups in each section of the county, with Section 1 including Cedar Grove, Millburn, and West Orange; Section 2 including South Orange and Maplewood; Section 3 including Belleville and East Orange; and Section 4 including Irvington, Newark, and Orange. The full pickup schedule can be viewed online.
Carrello Di Cannoli to Open ‘The Cannoli Shop’ in Fairfield
Carrello Di Cannoli, a mobile cannoli service, is officially launching a brick-and-mortar experience called The Cannoli Shop coming to 376 Hollywood Avenue in Fairfield, New Jersey — which according to the United States Census Bureau is the most Italian town in America (50.3% of residents in Fairfield are linked to Italian ancestry). This luxury dessert service specializes in customized hand-piped cannolis designed for weddings, holiday parties, corporate events, or just to enjoy around the dinner table. Click here for more about Carrello Di Cannoli’s newest venture, The Cannoli Shop in Fairfield.
White House Chefs Give Cooking Lessons to Newark Students
Seniors at Newark Vocational High School were treated to cooking demonstrations on Wednesday, October 16th, from Chef Guy Mitchell and Chef Michael “Woody” Raber, a.k.a. the White House Chefs. By the time the chefs completed their demonstrations, they expertly cooked Chicken Marco Polo, egg rolls, Shrimp Marinara, and a surf and turf plate of filet mignon, sauteed shrimp, and broccoli as students tasted all of them, per Patch Newark. The chefs also gave the students some life advice along the way.
Small Business Aid Program Launches in Partnership with NJ Devils
Harris Blitzer Sports + Entertainment recently launched the Enrich Program, an expansion of its initiatives supporting a diversity of small business owners. According to Patch Newark, the program will be open to all business owners throughout New Jersey and will provide aid to those who have experienced professional challenges or have been negatively impacted by socioeconomic disparities. The Enrich Program will provide opportunities for one grand prize-winning business, designed to propel their growth with expert consultation tailored to their needs, a comprehensive marketing strategy to enhance brand visibility, and exclusive networking opportunities with past winners. The winner will become an official partner of the New Jersey Devils for the 2024-25 NHL season and receive marketing and business consultation. Two other businesses will also each receive a $10,000 cash prize to support their development. Businesses can apply online.
Montclair Township Hires Third New Communications Director This Year
Matthew Amaral, a Montclair resident, recently began his new position as the township’s communications director last week. According to Montclair Local, he is the third person to hold the position this year and will earn a salary of $95,225. Matthew has publicly stated that he will be more proactive about sharing township initiatives in addition to pushing out regular announcements. The public can also expect more photography and video from the township per his statement. Matthew holds a Master’s degree in communications and international affairs from The New School and a Bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from Boston University.
Almost $5k of Meat + Seafood Stolen From Montclair Supermarket
On Wednesday, October 16th, thousands of dollars worth of meat and seafood were recently stolen from King’s Supermarket on Valley Road in Montclair. The manager of the supermarket reported three incidents of shoplifting that took place throughout the span of a week. There was a reported total of $4,903 of produce, meat, and seafood stolen, per Patch Montclair. Montclair Police have shared that two suspects — 25 and 35 years old, respectively — have been identified.
New Work Clothing Store Opens In Newark
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Work Hard Dress Right, a retailer that specializes in work clothes and uniforms, held its grand opening of its newest location on Thursday, October 24th. According to Patch Newark, the store specializes in a wide selection of workwear, boots and footwear, hi-vis and safety apparel, and much more. The store is located at 283 Ferry Street in Newark and is open from 10AM–8PM daily.
Montclair Township To Host Public Hearing Tomorrow About Community Development Block Grant
Montclair Township will be hosting two public hearings to discuss the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Montclair Township participates in the Essex County Consortium and annually receives approximately $300,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), per an announcement from the township. The first hearing will be held on Monday, October 28th, at 7PM and is open to the public with both potential applicants and the public are invited to attend. The CDBG grant program, timeframe, and potential projects and programs will be discussed. This will be a hybrid meeting so that those interested in attending can also participate remotely. Interested attendees can learn more information and how to attend online.
Montclair State University Hosts NJ Small Business Summit
On Thursday, October 24th, Montclair State University hosted the New Jersey Small Business Summit for 2024. Attendees were able to experience a day of networking, informative sessions, and panel discussions featuring various successful business entrepreneurs, including Craig Dubitsky, founder + CEO of HappyTM Products, and more. Click here to learn more about the New Jersey Small Business Summit happening this week, hosted by Montclair State University.
Woman Involved in Montclair Gyro Shop Flag Ripping Charged with Bias Intimidation
The owner of Efi’s Gyro confirmed that Greek flags the business draped on decorative lights in front of the restaurant were ripped down in March after they were mistaken for Israeli flags. Efthymia “Efi” Mihalis, owner of the restaurant at Bloomfield Avenue and Park Street, said she reported the crime to police when the incident occurred. The bias crime garnered attention on Tuesday, October 15th, after a woman posted a viral video on TikTok of herself ripping down the flags and lights, then apologizing when told they were Greek flags. The woman, identified as 23-year-old Amber Matthews, has been since charged with bias intimidation and harassment as of Thursday, October 24th, per Montclair Local.
Livingston Fire Department Begins 2024 Fund Drive
The Livingston Volunteer Fire Department has recently put out a call for donations as part of its annual fund drive. According to Patch Livingston, the funds will be focused on providing adequate training for firemen to keep up with advancing techniques and practices. Interested donors can learn more here.