Beautiful weather graced the Garden State this week as the leaves are slowly starting to fall. 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: Eataly sets an opening date for this fall at Short Hills Mall; major road work at Port Newark will reportedly impact traffic for a year; and some Newark-Bound PATH trains will depart later this month into October. Read on for all the news in Montclair, Essex County, and beyond for the week ending September 15th, 2024.
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Among the Headlines (read on for full stories):
- Eataly Opening at Short Hills Mall This Fall
- Meet Macaulay Culkin at Newark’s Holiday Screening of Home Alone
- New Owners of N.J. Wedding Venue Illegally Cut Down 246 Trees
- Montclair Art Museum Reopens Indigenous Art Collection
- Latinos of Montclair to Host the 2024 Latino Heritage Month at Montclair Art Museum
- Bloomfield Township Receives $3.2 Million Reimbursement for Lion Gate Park Project
- Major Road Work at Port Newark Will Reportedly Impact Traffic for One Year
- Chow Town Food Tours Launches Walnut Street Tour
- Montclair Indoor Golf Club Opens New Location in Millburn
- Cafe Moso to Close + Plans to Relocate in 2025
Eataly Opening at Short Hills Mall This Fall
After multiple trips to the Short Hills Mall, the mall directory revealed that Eataly — the world-famous Italian market and eatery — would be coming to Essex County back in March; now, The Montclair Girl knows it plans to open this fall. While the exact opening date is unknown at this time, more information is sure to be underway. Click here to check out everything we know about Eataly’s arrival in New Jersey.
New Owners of N.J. Wedding Venue Illegally Cut Down 246 Trees
The new owners of longtime wedding and events venue, The Manor, which closed in 2023 have been accused of illegally cutting down 248 trees on their property. According to NJ.com, charges have been filed in West Orange Municipal Court against the property owners and the tree removal company they used for cutting down the trees without the appropriate and necessary permits in violation of the West Orange Municipal Tree Ordinance. The removed trees ranged from four to 28 feet tall. The owners allegedly took over in August with plans to rename the venue to “The Grand Chateau.” West Orange’s zoning official has been in contact with them and has requested updated plans. After completing a review of the situation, the forester will now determine “appropriate remedies.” The owners have not yet made a public statement.
Meet Macaulay Culkin at Newark’s Holiday Screening of Home Alone
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark will be presenting a special holiday season screening of Home Alone on Friday, December 13th, at 7:30PM where the star of the film, Macaulay Culkin, will be a special guest. Macaulay will participate in a moderated interview with an audience Q+A session afterward, per Patch Newark. Tickets are on sale now with a limited number of VIP tickets available, which include a personal post-show photo opportunity with Macaulay.
Montclair Art Museum Reopens Indigenous Art Collection
Photo Credit: Montclair Art Museum
Montclair Art Museum (MAM) has officially opened the reinstallation of its Native American collection, which is displayed in a new, renovated gallery space. Native Knowledge / Native Art opened on Friday, September 13th, and features commissioned works by contemporary Indigenous artists along with pieces from the collection spanning the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. This project aims to build sustained, reciprocal relationships with Indigenous people and communities in addition to educating and empowering Native and non-Native audiences through art, per a press release from MAM. Upon its founding in 1914, MAM was one of the first art museums in the United States to collect and display historic and contemporary Native American art in a dedicated gallery alongside its non-Native collection.
Lead Pipe Inspections in Newark Continue
State officials have recently released a new update about an ongoing series of audits involving Newark’s battle against lead water contamination. Between Tuesday, May 21st and Thursday, August 15th of this year, 313 service lines were excavated from statistically significant samples of 387 addresses selected for a randomized audit, and two addresses were found to contain some remaining lead components and have either been replaced or are being scheduled for replacement soon, per Patch Newark. The City of Newark and the NJDEP will continue these audits over the next several weeks. During this time, it is to be noted that some residents may be contacted by Newark to participate in an inspection to verify the full replacement of their lead service line; if and where any remaining lead components are identified, they will be immediately replaced.
Latinos of Montclair to Host the 2024 Latino Heritage Month at MAM
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Latinos of Montclair will kick off Latino Heritage Month this year as a 2024 Essex County Board of County Commissioners Hispanic Heritage honoree for the organization’s exceptional community building and leadership. Throughout Latino Heritage Month, Latinos of Montclair will continue to raise awareness and build community by also partnering with the Montclair Public Library to host two events and supporting others all curated to celebrate, build community, and increase cultural understanding of Latinidad with families in Montclair and across the New Jersey area. According to a press release from the organizations, the featured events include “Yoga En Communidad,” “History At Home – The History of Latinos in Montclair,” and “Women’s Circle – RECLAMA Reclaiming Your Ancestry.” Tickets for a family of five are $25 and $10 for individual tickets are now available for purchase online.
Major Road Work at Port Newark Will Reportedly Impact Traffic for One Year
The ramp leading from eastbound Port Street to southbound Corbin Street in Newark will be closed for demolition and reconstruction starting tomorrow, September 16th at 8PM. The port complex will remain fully operational during the closure, which is expected to last for about one year, per Patch Newark. A detour has been rebuilt via Marlin and Kellogg streets to accommodate the additional traffic. The construction work is part of a larger, $220 million infrastructure plan dubbed the “Port Street Corridor Improvement” project aimed to rebuild the northern roadway access point into Port Newark and the Elizabeth Port Authority Marine Terminal.
Fairfield Police + Community Mourn Death of Decorated Officer
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The Fairfield Police Department and community are mourning the death of Officer James “Jimmy” Ciampi, who died on Monday, September 9th, after a battle with cancer. According to NorthJersey.com, the 31-year-old officer grew up in Fairfield and joined the Police Department as a Class ll special officer in October 2016 and was appointed as a full-time officer only one year later. During his brief career, Jimmy was commended for his work on multiple occasions as he received four lifesaving citations, three unit citations, and one meritorious service citation.
Bloomfield Township Receives $3.2 Million Reimbursement for Lion Gate Park Project
Bloomfield Township has received 80 percent, or $3.2 million, in grant reimbursement for the costs for the Lion Gate Park project. According to a press release from Moss Media, the Lion Gate Park project incorporated three major components: Active Recreational Facilities, a Freshwater Wetlands Complex, and a Field House to support park operations. The township has initially fronted the expenses to develop this community resource in the past. The remaining 20% of the grant — $800,000 — will be received by the township upon the completion of the project. Bloomfield Township is dedicated to “enhancing the quality of life for its residents by fostering a safe, inclusive, and vibrant community.” The Lion Gate Park project is the latest in a series of initiatives aimed at promoting recreational activities, environmental sustainability, and community engagement.
Newark to Double Down on Film + TV Production
The Newark Office of Film and Television, established when Senator Cory Booker was mayor, has recently announced it’s doubling down on production as well as connecting locals with opportunities in the industry under the administration of Mayor Ras Baraka. Newark’s film office participated in the state’s Film Ready program, which involved attending a workshop and orientation at Kean University to review requirements and best practices for permitting, fire, police, and payment scales, per NJ.com. Desireè Hadley, who is the current director of the office (which is based out of NJPAC), is promoting its new website that launched this summer, and the recent digitization of its film permit process as ways the office has solidified its commitment to making the city a prime destination for production, “further embracing the film revolution here in the state.” Several projects filmed in the state that are releasing soon include A Complete Unknown which will be in theaters this Christmas; American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez which premieres Monday, September 17th, on FX and streams on Hulu. The Bride! is due in theaters on Friday, September 26th, 2025.
Montclair Residents Protest Townhouses Proposed for Wallwood Gardens Lot
Some Montclair residents were at the town hall on Wednesday, September 4th, protesting to stop a new developer from building seven townhouse units on the site of the former Wallwood Gardens (a vacant garden center). According to Montclair Local, one of these residents, Janet Hubert, is leading opposition to the development and has hired an attorney and a civil engineer. Residents are holding a meeting on Monday, September 23rd at the Montclair Fire House from 6:30PM-8:30PM for a discussion on the proposed project and to prepare for the November 6th meeting where the application will be heard again.
Montclair Library Foundation Announces New Chair + Board Members
The Montclair Public Library Foundation recently announced the appointment of four new directors to its board and the promotion of Sheila Boyd to the new Board Chair. According to Patch Montclair, Sheila joined the board almost three years ago and has been known for leading efforts in advocacy, social media, and board development. Jennifer Amore, James Cotter, Veronica Harris, and George Oliphant are among the new board members who each bring a unique skill set to the organization.
Chow Town Food Tours Launches Walnut Street Tour
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Montclair’s Walnut Street will be the centerpiece of a new Chow Town Food Tours experience that is set to begin on Saturday, September 21st. This guided, under-three-hour walking tour will invite guests behind the counter at some of Walnut Street’s most beloved eateries, where chefs will provide exclusive tastings and an inside perspective on Montclair’s culinary scene, per a press release from the company. The tour will also visit local landmarks and dive into the renaissance of the formerly industrial neighborhood. Proceeds from this tour will benefit the Montclair History Center in collaboration with Experience Montclair. Tickets are available for purchase online.
Jersey Girl Thrift to Host Clothing Swap Event
Photo Credit: Jersey Girl Thrift
Jersey Girl Thrift — a female-founded small business grounded in sustainable fashion — is hosting a clothing swap event on Saturday, October 12th. The event is due to take place from 11AM-3PM at bloom CHILDCARE + COWORKING at 52 Upper Montclair Plaza in Montclair. According to its website, attendees are welcome to make a bag of “gently-loved clothes” to contribute to the swap and find a bunch of new, fun pieces for free after entry. Tickets are available to purchase online.
Montclair Reportedly Spent $116K to Administer Home Improvement Program
The Township of Montclair reportedly paid a total of $116,148 to administer a Home Improvement Program from its start in 2021 through July 2024. Montclair hired Community Grants, Planning & Housing, LLC (CGP&H) in 2020 to administer the Home Improvement Program. Six homes participated in the program and total payments to improve all six homes were $175,377, per Montclair Local. CGP&H and the program came under scrutiny when First Ward Councilor Erik D’Amato raised questions about the program and a payment to improve a Grove Street home. On Tuesday, September 10th, the council had a resolution on its agenda, “authorizing the use of competitive contracting for consulting services in connection with the Township’s professional services as Affordable Housing Administrative Agent, Home Improvement Program Administrator, Affordable Housing Attorney, and Licensed Site Remediation (LSRP) Professional.” John Burton, the CEO of CGP&H, previously stated that CGP&H planned to continue as the administrator of the home improvement program should the municipality choose to use them again in 2025. The program is funded by the Township’s Housing Trust Fund.
Montclair Indoor Golf Club Opens New Location in Millburn
Photo Credit: Jimmy Vukanovich
The owner behind Montclair Indoor Golf Club has officially opened another location, Millburn Indoor Golf Club, yesterday, September 14th. Located at 380 Millburn Avenue, there will be interclub tournaments and the same memberships and 24/7 access as the Montclair location. Memberships and more information can be found on its website.
Some Newark-Bound PATH Trains to Depart Later This Month
All Newark-bound trains will depart five minutes later than normally scheduled on weekdays from Monday, September 9th to Friday, October 4th (between 10:05AM and 2:45PM). According to Patch Newark, the change is due to “priority track work” at Newark Penn Station. WTC-bound NWK-WTC train departures are reportedly not impacted by this change.
Cafe Moso to Close + Plans to Relocate in 2025
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After five years at 307 Orange Road in Montclair, Cafe Moso announced Wednesday, September 11th, that it would close by the end of this week. Moso, named for “Montclair South,” brought elevated comfort food to the historic South End of Montclair. Owner Zina Floyd announced that there are plans to relocate within Montclair in 2025 and bring diners “an even more exciting experience,” per Montclair Local. In the meantime, Zina urges fans of the restaurant to continue supporting the South End Business District.
Lockdown at Bloomfield High School Leads to Two Juveniles Arrested
Bloomfield Police have arrested two juveniles in connection with a lockdown at Bloomfield High School on Wednesday, September 11th. According to Montclair Local, Bloomfield High School staff notified the Bloomfield Police Department that there were unauthorized juveniles within the vicinity of the high school; from then on, the school was placed on lockdown and cleared by officers. Bloomfield detectives were able to positively identify the two juveniles who were not students or Bloomfield residents. Police took the two juveniles into custody and they will be charged with acts of juvenile delinquency. Bloomfield Police have reported that this was an isolated incident and there is no active threat to the school.
