The fall season is officially here and it came with plenty of new changes to Essex County. From an innovative restaurant owned by a world-renowned chef to a fitness studio specializing in boxing, there are a plethora of exciting businesses bringing new experiences to all its locals here in Montclair and the surrounding areas. Read on to learn more about the newly opened businesses and those coming soon to Montclair and Essex County, New Jersey.
New Businesses Open in Maplewood
Osteria LK | 180 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood
Osteria LK, the sister restaurant to Montclair’s beloved Laboratorio Kitchen, opened its doors to Maplewood locals in August 2024. Serving upscale Italian cuisine, this restaurant services its ingredients from local farms in the Tri-State area. On the menu, customers can expect to find Italian classics such as chicken Milanese, and innovative creations such as the Cacio e Pepe fries.
Read More: LGBTQ+-Owned Businesses to Support in Essex County
New Businesses Open in Montclair
Acorn General Store | 41 Church Street, Montclair
Acorn General Store, an eco-friendly general store, soft-opened in July and held its official ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 6th. With roots in Oklahoma City, the owners of this shop strive to shape their business around sustainability-focused practices, with an emphasis on providing vintage and private-label merchandise to all its locals. In addition, Acorn General Store will soon open its lower level to house products from local small businesses.
Dear Body Montclair | 7 Park Street #201, Montclair
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Dear Body Montclair, a skincare wellness business, officially opened its doors in September. It provides facial and body treatments and skin resurfacing services. According to the business owner, who is a licensed Esthetician and beauty therapist, Dear Body Montclair strives to provide every client with a “professional, attentive, and friendly service.”
Diesel + Duke | 20 Church Street, Montclair
On the eve of the restaurant’s 10-year anniversary, Diesel + Duke announced via Instagram that it would be relocating from its previous Glenridge Avenue location to Church Street. In September 2024, the burger joint officially reopened in its new location. The restaurant does not only serve burgers, but also hand-cut fries, shakes, and, its most popular item, poutine.
Francis Henri | 47 South Park Street, Montclair
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Francis Henri, a boutique that sells international clothing and accessories for babies and toddlers, has captured the feeling of shopping on vacation and brought it to its newest location in Montclair. After first establishing itself in Westfield, the Montclair location opened this past June for all locals to enjoy. At Francis Henri, customers can shop Australian, UK, and European clothing brands, with sizes ranging from newborn to 6T.
Insomnia Coffee Shop | 111 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
Located in the Lackawanna Station parking lot, this mobile coffee truck opened in Montclair in August 2024. The coffee shop on wheels not only serves Columbian-sourced coffee, but also sweet and savory pastries and desserts such as tres leches and flan. Customers can even add CBD drops to their beverages of choice as an add-on.
Java Love | 39 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
Taking over Diesel + Duke’s former location, Java Love opened its third Montclair location on Glenridge Avenue in May 2024. Now, Java Love has a total of five locations, one being in Suffern, NY, and another on Montclair State University’s campus. Aligning the business’s mission to provide “Coffee with Integrity,” all coffee beans are locally-sourced, organic, naturally farmed, and comply with Rainforest Alliance regulations. The business encourages locals to stop in at any one of the Montclair locations and experience the “drama and beauty of coffee roasting.”
Milk N Cookies | 43 Church Street, Montclair
With three locations across the East Coast, Milk N Cookies officially opened its Montclair cookie cafe and cereal bar in June of 2024. Don’t let the name fool you. This cookie joint serves far more than just the average plain-jane cookie. Along with all the beloved classics like chocolate chip and birthday cake, customers can find frosted-stuffed cookies with bright colors, various ice cream flavors paired with popular cereals, and “signature” loaded shakes.
Sankofa Cafe | 319 Orange Road, Montclair
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Sankofa Cafe, the newest addition to Montclair’s cafes, soft-opened on June 1st — the day of the Montclair African American Heritage Parade and Festival. This cafe serves locally-sourced coffee, pastries, and a global-inspired menu. Sankofa Cafe encourages locals to stop in and experience the place “where every visit is a journey” and “every cup tells a story.”
New Businesses Open in Nutley
The Hudson Rose | 238 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
The Hudson Rose, a restaurant that provides locals with NYC vibes without the NYC drive, took over the former Franklin Steakhouse in Nutley, and officially opened in August 2024. The restaurant serves American cuisine and has separate menus for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Don’t forget to check out the dessert menu, which includes dessert cocktails and wine.
New Businesses Open in Short Hills
Ladurée | 1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills
Located in the lower level of the Short Hills Mall near Neiman Marcus, this Paris-based pastry and candy shop officially opened in July 2024. With 13 other locations across the US, the Short Hills location is the first in New Jersey. The shop serves French-style pastries such as macaroons, and a variety of chocolates, candies, sugared nuts teas, jams, and honey. Customers can also expect to find non-food items like recipe books, tote bags, and candles.
Businesses Coming Soon to Caldwell
The Strength Club | 351 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Strong New York
The Strength Club, a NYC-based fitness studio, has plans to open soon on Bloomfield Avenue. Similar to its New York site, this gym will provide trainer-run programs focused on strength training, personal training, high school athletic training, and even kid-friendly classes. The first 50 people to sign up for a membership will receive $75 off the monthly fee for the first year. Although expected to open in September 2024, there have not been any updates on the opening date since July.
Businesses Coming Soon to Montclair
Jonetsu Omakase x Minoru Ramen | 608 Valley Road, Montclair
The Montclair-established chefs of SLA Thai are set to take over the former sushi spot Daikichi, which closed in September 2023. Jonetsu Omakase x Minoru Ramen will feature two distinct culinary concepts in a shared space, with Jonestu Omakase serving sushi on the first floor, and Minoru Ramen serving ramen on the second. Other than a “Coming soon” announcement shared via Instagram, more details have yet to come.
MM by Morimoto | 193 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
Photo credit: Jeffrey Elkashab, @nj_native_photo
In the Glenridge Avenue location of the former Maddox and Musuko, internationally-renowned Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto will soon open his new restaurant, MM by Morimoto. The eatery will serve a fusion of Japanese and American cuisine, featuring a menu of innovative appetizers and entrees. Customers should also expect a full-bar menu with handcrafted cocktails, an extensive wine list, and a curated selection of sakes and beer. The restaurant was originally expected to open this past summer. However, more details regarding the opening date have yet to be shared.
Rumble Boxing | 536 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
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With locations across New Jersey and New York, Rumble Boxing is coming soon to Bloomfield Avenue. Aligning with Rumble’s philosophy to “shake up the stale norms of the fitness world,” the fitness boutique will provide 45-minute music-led strength training and boxing classes. At this moment, details regarding its opening date have yet to be shared.
See More: New Vietnamese Restaurant Soft Opens at Former Sri Thai Location in Hoboken
Businesses Coming Soon to Short Hills
Eataly | 1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills
Founded in Turin, Italy, this Italian market and eatery has plans to open in Short Hills Mall this fall, near the Bloomingdales. With 40 locations around the world, the international brand will be the first in New Jersey. Each location provides a different dining and shopping experience. At some locations, Eataly serves traditional Italian cuisine and products, and others, such as its Chicago location, dedicates an entire counter solely to Nutella. However, Essex County locals can look forward to an experience that “encompasses the history and the food culture of Italy.”
