That’s a wrap, folks! The 2024 year is ending soon and 2025 is rearing its head. In these past few months, several businesses have opened in the Montclair area, and the next year is coming with even more new spots. The Montclair Girl has compiled a list of businesses that recently opened and some coming soon, from cafes to restaurants to fitness studios. Read on to learn more about newly opened businesses in November and December and those coming to Montclair + Essex County in 2025.

Recently Opened

Bleu Coffee | 8 Erie Street, Montclair

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Montclair has welcomed another coffee shop to the area. Bleu Coffee, which now has three locations, held its grand opening on November 3rd. The cafe’s menu includes teas, pastries, and — of course — coffee. Not just any coffee, though, because this shop sources its brews from locations around the world, including Papua New Guinea, Nicaragua, and Ethiopia.

Read More: A Visit to Naxos Estiatorio, A New Greek Restaurant in Woodland Park

Eataly | 1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills

After much anticipation, Eataly, an Italian market and eatery, opened at the Short Hills Mall in November. Being the franchise’s first New Jersey location, locals were excited to find out that it serves coffee, pastries, gelato, Roman-style pizza, and paninis. The sprawling market has a retail section of imported Italian goodies like fresh pasta. There is also a restaurant in this 17,000+ square foot space, where the menu includes dishes like tagliatelle alla bolognese and 18-month-aged Parmigiano Reggiano.

Hometown Arcade | 85 Washington Street, Bloomfield

As of November 2024, gamers and families alike have a new place to unwind in Bloomfield. Hometown Arcade has newer games that are favored amongst youngsters and vintage games like Donkey Kong, Frogger, Asteroids, and Pac-Man. The arcade also partners with local food spots like Varitage Brew Works and Six Points Pizza so customers can have a snack break. Hometown Arcade is currently working on its liquor license, so be sure to check out the space soon for some 21+ events.

Lit Cafe | 25 Church Street, Montclair

With the abundance of coffee shops popping up around town this year, it’s safe to say that Montclair has become the hub for cafes. Lit Cafe, a specialty coffee shop, established itself in the area this past November. This spot serves all kinds of brews, teas, pastries, and sells wellness products from the sister brand, Lit Lab.

Tony Boy’s Sandwich House | 8 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair

Tucked away on Fullerton Avenue is this New Jersey-based sandwich shop. Tony Boy’s Sandwich House has locations in Livingston, Madison, Montville, and — as of December 9th — Montclair. The menu consists of Italian deli favorites like cutlet sandwiches, hot and cold subs, and sweet treats, such as milkshakes and chocolate chip cookies.

Coming Soon

BFT | 469 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair

Body Fit Training (BFT), a fitness studio with roots in Melbourne, Australia, is coming soon to Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. According to BFT’s website, the gym will provide various “science-backed and tested” programs, including Beast Mode, which combines martial arts with conditioning exercises, Balanced, a strength-building class that targets the full body, and more. Opening dates have not been announced, so check out BFT’s Instagram for more updates.

The Cannoli Shop | 376 Hollywood Avenue, Fairfield

Photo Credit: The Cannoli Shop

Carrello Di Cannoli, a mobile Northern New Jersey-based cannoli service specializing in the hand-piped Italian treat, will open in Fairfield with the launch of The Cannoli Shop. This dessert shop will have an espresso bar and a cannoli bar where patrons can choose between different shells and toppings to customize their treats. The cannoli ingredients will also be imported from Sicily weekly to uphold the same reputation as the brand’s sister company. Carrello Di Cannoli plans to open in January of next year.

Ironbound Farm Market | Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair

A new farmer’s market, Ironbound Farm Market, is coming to Montclair in the spring of 2025. On December 6th, founder Charles Rosen released a video with NorthJersey.com where he explained his plans for Montclair’s newest market. Charles shared that Ironbound Farm Market, which will bring “regionally grown food directly to the residents of Montclair,” will operate seven days a week, 365 days a year, and will sell produce, ready-to-eat dishes, and ethically sourced meats.

The Kush Connection | 135 Valley Road, Montclair

The Kush Connection, Montclair’s newest dispensary, has plans to open on Valley Road. The business first announced its arrival in January this year and hoped to open in the summer. However, its opening date has still not been determined. The last update was on June 29th, when The Kush Connection shared via Instagram that the business was approved by the Planning Board.

Mashed Burgers | 360 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair

Mashed Burgers is a New Jersey-based burger spot aiming to open in Montclair in January. This restaurant, which specializes in smashed burgers, fries, and desserts, is self-proclaimed as “The Best Smashed Burgers in New Jersey.” Mashed Burgers, with other locations in Cliffside Park and Hoboken, was also named “Best New Restaurant of 2024” by Best of NJ. Each location’s menu has some specialty items, but all share the same Halal-certified status. Burger lovers can expect to find options like sandwiches, tenders, desserts, and — of course — smashed burgers.

MM by Morimoto | 193 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Elkashab, @nj_native_photo

MM by Morimoto, a Japanese-American fusion restaurant, aims to take over the former Maddox and Musuko in the spring of 2025. Internationally renowned Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto is behind this new eatery. Montclair foodies can expect an expansive menu of appetizers, entrees, handcrafted cocktails, and more.

Montclair Brewery | East Orange

Denise Ford Sawadogo and Leopold ‘Leo’ Sawadogo, the wife and husband team behind the Montclair Brewery, have made plans to expand to East Orange. While the address of this new spot and official opening dates have yet to be revealed, Essex County customers can expect the space to have the same cherished brewing, production, and community events as the Montclair location. This second spot will also feature outdoor seating and a tasting room.

Oso Felipe | 2 Erie Street, Montclair

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This Mexican restaurant is coming to the former Richie Cecere spot at 2 Erie Street. Oso Felipe has not announced an opening date but has posted updates, along with pictures of soon-to-be menu items, on Instagram throughout the process. As of this writing, the last post made was on December 11th with the caption, “To answer your question: no, not open yet… but soon, so soon.”

Qahwah House | 493 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair

According to Montclair Local, Qahwah House, a coffee shop that incorporates Yemeni-style brewing methods, has plans to open in Montclair. While an opening date has not been disclosed, coffee enthusiasts in the area can look forward to a menu of Middle Eastern coffee, tea, pastries, and more.

Sardela | 571 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This Greek seafood restaurant has put up signage at 571 Bloomfield Avenue. No opening dates have been announced, but hopefully, more details will be disclosed soon. Check out Sardela’s Instagram page for further updates on its future arrival in Montclair.

Target in West Orange | 235 Prospect Avenue, West Orange

Everyone's favorite shopping center plans to open a West Orange location in the fall of 2025, according to Patch. The store will be 23 acres large. Developers have already started renovations for the property.

The Strength Club | 351 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Strong New York

This NYC-based fitness studio specializes in strength-building classes and private training. The team announced that it would open its second New Jersey location at the former CrossFit Caldwell on Bloomfield Avenue. The Strength Club initially had plans to open in September 2024. However, according to its Instagram, opening dates have yet to be announced.

Sugar Tree Cafe | 107 East Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston

Sugar Tree Cafe will soon have two Essex County locations in 2025 — the original at 358 Passaic Avenue, Nutley, which locals know and love, and another in Livingston at 107 East Mount Pleasant Avenue, which plans to open sometime in December 2024. The wife and husband duo behind the charming eatery and coffee spot shared with The Montclair Girl that the menu of the sister location will resemble Nutley’s, but will have a few more authentic recipes from different cultures. The Livingston spot will also share an aesthetic with the original location, like the beloved purple tree that stretches along the entire cafe.

See More: 2 Hoboken Firefighters + Friends Step in to Reopen Green Pear Cafe

Tous les Jours | 520 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair

The space at 520 Bloomfield Avenue has remained empty since the closing of Lululemon in October 2023. French-Asian bakery, Tous les Jours, plans to open at this spot in December 2024. Although the official grand opening date has yet to be announced, Montclair locals can look forward to an expansive menu of cakes, savory and sweet breads, doughnuts, sandwiches, coffee, tea, smoothies, and more.