In recent years, the work industry has changed completely. Remote and/or hybrid work has been on the rise ever since COVID-19. Now, with the world now back to normalcy, this kind of work is still popular among several workers. Working from home can be convenient for many but what’s better is that there are other locations than home to work from. From bookstores to cafes, there are many places to work remotely in. Read on for the best spots to work remotely in Montclair + North Jersey.
Ant Bookstore + Cafe | 345 Clifton Avenue, Clifton
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This cafe is also a small bookstore, making it an ideal location for remote workers to set up their laptops; tap into the free WiFi; and grab a smoothie and kumpir, a Turkish-style baked potato stuffed with butter, cheese, corn, and peas (pictured above) and served with a Russian salad. There are indoor work areas as well as a spacious outdoor patio. It’s open on weekdays from 8AM to 8PM Saturday from 8AM to 8PM, and Sunday from 10AM to 7PM.
Read More: Your Guide To A Solo Saturday In Montclair
Bluestone Coffee Co | 123 Watchung Avenue #2, Montclair
TV buffs might know this cafe for its appearance on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee with Jerry Seinfeld and Montclair resident Stephen Colbert. Despite its claim to fame, it is a great place to work with its solid WiFi, a wide selection of roasted in-house coffee, and expansive breakfast and lunch menus. It is open Monday through Friday from 7AM to 2:30PM and on weekends from 8AM to 2:30PM — making it a great spot for a half day outside of your home.
Cedar Bean’s Coffee Joint | 575 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove
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While many spaces have been adopted by entrepreneurs looking for a place to work, this cafe seeks them out. Workers can grab an English muffin breakfast sandwich or avocado toast and sip a cup of coffee made from small-batch roasters. It’s open on weekends from 8AM to 5PM and on weekdays from 7AM to 5PM, with extra hours from 7PM-9PM on Thursday nights. Free WiFi comes with any purchase.
Eagle Rock Cafe | 202 Bellevue Avenue #1B, Montclair
Located a few blocks from the Upper Montclair Train Station, this cafe attracts remote creators with its sunlit interior, high ceilings, and free WiFi. Workers can finish their projects while sipping what the spot claims is “the best coffee in Montclair,” tea, or hot cocoa, and nibbling on a Balthazar signature pastry. It’s open seven days a week from 7:30AM to 6:30PM.
Java Love Coffee | 49 Church Street, Montclair + 244 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
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This women-owned local coffee shop has two locations in the area — one in Montclair and one in Upper Montclair. Java Love is committed to sustainability and, as the name suggests, sells a variety of different coffee + teas. The Church Street location is open from Monday to Sunday, 8AM to 6PM — perfectly convenient for the traditional work day. The Upper Montclair location is open an hour longer, from 7AM to 6PM. There is often music playing, so this won’t be an ideal spot for a silent workspace — but it still makes for a cozy, productive atmosphere. Both locations have WiFi and outlets available.
Montclair Public Library | 50 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
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It may lack the bells and whistles of other workspaces, but the library offers free WiFi, plentiful seating, and office amenities such as printing and copying. Workers can even book a librarian to help with research. Visitors can pack their own lunches or grab grub at one of the many eateries nearby and eat in the cafe space. Stop by Monday, Friday, and Saturday from 10AM to 6PM, Tuesday through Thursday from 10AM to 8PM, and Sunday from 1PM-6PM.
Other Essex County libraries include Maplewood Memorial Library (129 Boyden Avenue, Maplewood), East Orange Public Library (21 S Arlington Avenue, East Orange), South Orange Public Library (65 Scotland Road, South Orange), Bloomfield Public Library (90 Broad Street, Bloomfield), and Newark Public Library Main Branch (5 Washington Street, Newark), to name a few.
Sugar Tree Cafe | 358 Passaic Avenue, Nutley
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The design of this cafe makes it the perfect place for workers to do their jobs remotely or have casual business meetings. It offers free WiFi as well as a variety of chairs, couches, and tables. You can pick a spot that suits your taste as the decor changes throughout. Food options include the big crunch chicken sandwich and deep-fried cinnamon toast. You can also delight your inner child with a funfetti milkshake. It’s open seven days a week from 8AM to 5PM.
Sweet Kitchen | 533 Bloomfield Avenue
Since 2000, Sweet Kitchen has been serving the Montclair community with its baked goods, toast dishes, sandwiches, salads, and burgers — the food is the perfect fuel for a productive work day. This cozy gem is open until 9PM, with free WiFi and plenty of tables, chairs, and outlets.
The TeaCompany Cafe | 8 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
Coffee is usually front and center at most cafes, but this is where tea lovers can unite and work in a bright, airy space with free WiFi. Drink choices include bubble tea, sweet tea, tea frappes, and a green tea smoothie. A variety of sweet treats are offered, the star being the tangy lemon cake. The hours are 9AM to 6PM from Tuesday through Thursday, and weekends from 10AM to 6PM. It’s closed on Mondays.
Thought in Motion Waterbar | 127 Valley Road, Montclair
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This is the spot for entrepreneurs who want a workspace with a mystical vibe along with free WiFi. The water and homemade non-dairy milks are infused with shungite and a mixture of quartz crystals. Elixirs include orange rosemary vanilla to balance your sacral (or creativity) chakra. It’s open weekdays from 10AM to 6PM, Saturday from 10AM to 5PM, and Sunday from 10AM to 3PM.
See More: Unique Places to Work Remotely in Hoboken + Jersey City
Trend Coffee + Tea House | 411 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
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This circa-1860 space has a chic vintage living room decor that makes you feel at home. It boasts delicious desserts such as salted caramel crepes, vegan pastries, and homemade chai lattes. It has free WiFi and late hours to accommodate looming work deadlines. The hours are 11AM to 9PM Tuesday through Thursday, 11AM to 10:30PM on Friday, Saturday from 10AM to 10:30PM, and Sunday from 10MA to 8PM. It’s closed on Mondays.
