For anyone out there who loves sushi and Japanese food as much as we do, your options in Montclair are about to grow. Katz & Associates is adding to the already lively downtown Montclair by bringing in new businesses to the Seymour Street redevelopment project located on Bloomfield Avenue, according to the press release. Among the list is the elegant New York sushi spot, Nami Nori, which was originally scheduled to open in Montclair sometime this summer. Now, the restaurant has announced that it’s officially slated to open this week. Nami Nori, located at 2 South Willow Street in Montclair, will be opening on Thursday, October 20th — and reservations are already available for booking. Read on for what we know about the redevelopment project and Montclair’s newest Japanese spot, Nami Nori.
Seymour Street Redevelopment Project
Katz & Associates, the company behind the Seymour Street redevelopment project, is a boutique retail real estate brokerage and advisory firm that has been in operation for 26 years, according to its website. Katz & Associates helps aid retail businesses, landlords, and restaurants to ensure the securing of brick and mortar locations and oversee the entire move-in and development process.
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Katz & Associates’ latest project is focusing on Montclair, bringing in great eats and shops to the Seymour Street redevelopment project. Led by retail leasing agents Brian Katz and Amy Staats in conjunction with Ironstate Development and Brookfield Properties, the hope of the initiative to bring lots of new attractions to the Montclair area. The project features over 35,000 square feet of retail, as well as a 12,000 square foot outdoor plaza, 200 apartments, and 40,000 square feet of office space, according to the press release.
“We rooted through numerous retail options and chose an arrangement of diverse and eclectic retail to build on the existing flare of Montclair,” said Amy Staats, Vice President, Katz & Associates. “These retail and entertainment experiences will help further bolster the allure of the area characterized by the iconic 100-year-old Wellmont Theater.”
Nami Nori
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(Photo credits: @naminori.nyc)
Nami Nori, one of the many businesses to come to Montclair, is a temaki bar specializing in open-style sushi hand rolls. It currently has locations in the West Village and Williamsburg in New York City. The menu is full of classic temaki options as well as updated twists and even a vegan specialty menu. What’s more, everything on the menu at Nami Noor is also gluten-free. Nami Nori mentions on its website that serving hand rolls enables chefs to have fun with vibrant flavors as well as eye-catching colors and visuals.
Also on the menu are Japanese-inspired snacks and appetizers in addition to beer, sake, and wine.
The spot announced via press release and on its Instagram that it would be officially opening this Thursday, October 20th. Reservations are now open and can be made here, though walk-ins are welcomed and encouraged. According to the press release, the restaurant will be open for dinner Tuesday – Saturday from 5:00PM – 9:30PM.
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(Photo credits: @naminori.nyc)
The atmosphere is described as ‘casual yet elegant,’ designed with a mission to make upscale and authentic food that is more affordable and accessible for diners. Partners Taka Sakaeda, Jihan Lee, and Lisa Limb were able to take their previous training in Japanese cooking to make this vision a reality with the opening of Nami Nori.
Whether you’re craving salmon, tofu, scallops, eggplant, tuna, sea bass, or more, you can get an idea of the expansive Nami Nori West Village menu here.
See More: Guide to Sushi Spots that Offer an Omakase Sushi Experience in North Jersey
Other Businesses to Look Out for
Gravity Vault, a rock climbing facility, is already up and running in Seymour Plaza. One River School of Art + Design is also officially operating, with a host of classes in art and digital design for people of all ages and all levels.
Other spots joining the Seymour scene are Brick City Vegan, Montclair Mud Clay Studio, Madison Reed Color Bar, Cornbread, and The Goddard School.
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