22 Montclair Area News Stories This Week | February 23, 2025
The winter blues are in full swing now as even more snow entered our forecast this week. In the meantime, 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: new businesses (and some re-branded familiar ones) pop up in and around Montclair; a multi-story mixed-use building is coming to Newark's East Ward; the first NJ Bird Flu case is reported at the Union County Live Bird Market. Read on for all the news in Essex County for the week ending February 23rd, 2025.
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Among the Headlines (read on for full stories):
- Socialista Lounge Opens Inside Bar Franco
- First NJ Bird Flu Case Reported at Union County Live Bird Market
- New Brunch Spot, Crave + Co., Opens in Livingston
- French Bistro, Maison Fête, Coming to Montclair
- Montclair's Brick Lane Reopens After Rebranding + Renovations
- 18 Label Studios Relaunches With New Branding
- Skopos Hospitality Opens New Venture, Nómada, in Verona
- Ear Piercing Studio, Rowan, Coming to The Mall at Short Hills
- Applications Open for Summer Jobs For Youth in Newark
- Mental Health First Aid Training Expands at Montclair State University
Socialista Lounge Opens Inside Bar Franco
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Socialista Lounge, located through Bar Franco at 5 Church Street in Montclair, opened its doors on Friday, February 21st. The upscale lounge + bar features music from Studio 54 and is open format, with bottle service for its reservation-only tables. The "after-party" is open from 11AM-2PM on Friday and Saturday.
First NJ Bird Flu Case Reported at Union County Live Bird Market
It was announced on Friday, February 21st, that a new Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), otherwise known as the 'Bird Flu', was confirmed at Union County Live Bird Market. According to Patch Westfield, this is the first positive HPAI case for domestic poultry in New Jersey since 2023, per the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s (NJDA) Division of Animal Health. The live bird market is now quarantined and will not receive new poultry until the quarantine is lifted. The market will also have a thorough cleaning and disinfection to eliminate the virus within the facility and will remain temporarily closed for a prescribed period before it is restocked.
New Brunch Spot, Crave + Co., Opens in Livingston
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A new "Instagram-able" brunch spot, Crave + Co., opened in Livingston on Tuesday, February 4th. Located at 184 South Livingston Avenue, its mission is to "create a fun dining experience through unique, handcrafted dishes and a welcoming atmosphere that connects the community" through creations like Dubai pancakes and fresh juices. Crave + Co. is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8AM-4PM.
French Bistro, Maison Fête, Coming to Montclair
A new venture from Damon Wise, chef and co-owner of Montclair's Pineapple Express Barbecue and Oso Felipe, will be opening a new French bistro soon. Maison Fête will open for dinner service first and then add lunch, brunch, and morning coffee service, per its website. An opening date is unknown at this time.
Montclair's Brick Lane Reopens After Rebranding + Renovations
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After closing in July 2024, the owners of Brick Lane Curry House have reimagined its space at 540 Valley Road into a more elegant and modern atmosphere for its British-style Indian cuisine. According to Montclair Local, the business has now streamlined the name to Brick Lane to complement a refreshed menu. Reservations are recommended and can be made via phone call.
Caldwell Receives Funds for Community Development
On Tuesday, February 4th, the Borough of Caldwell received a generous donation to put towards community development. It was among 12 Essex County municipalities and 36 community organizations that recently received a total of about $5.7 million from the Community Development Block Grant program and the Emergency Services Grant program. According to TAPinto West Essex, the CDBG and ESG programs are funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the Essex County Division of Housing and Community Development.
18 Label Studios Relaunches With New Branding
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Montlclair-based photography and videography space 18 Label Studios, located at 18 Label Street, has relaunched itself after installing 'a fresh look,' a new website, and an exciting new focus for its business. The renovation includes a brand new 25’ x 25’ Cyclorama wall that can help spark creative inspiration. 18 Label Studios is open Monday through Sunday from 9AM-5PM.
Montclair Resident Receives 2025 Marshall Scholarship
Emily Springer, a resident of Montclair and Montclair High School graduate, has been awarded a 2025 Marshall Scholarship. According to Montclair Local, the competitive scholarship program allows up to three years of fully-funded graduate study in any academic topic at any university in the United Kingdom. Emily is one of 36 scholarships awarded for 2025 out of nearly 1,000 applicants. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Hunter College in 2023 and received her bachelor's degree in Africana, Puerto Rican, and Latino Studies, as well as a certificate in arts management.
Mexican Restaurant Nómada Opens in Verona
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On Tuesday, February 4th, Skopos Hospitality Group launched its newest venture — Nómada, a new restaurant in Verona, New Jersey. Nómada blends vibrant flavors with an atmosphere that combines the relaxed coastal aesthetics of modern-day Tulum with the lavish feel of 1980s Acapulco, per a press release. Located at 700 Bloomfield Avenue, it provides various kinds of tacos and cocktails amongst an array of other multi-cultural dishes. It is open Monday through Thursday from 4PM-12AM, Friday and Saturday from 4PM-1AM, and Sunday from 4PM-10PM.
Local Nonprofit, Montclair Helps, Supports Families in Crisis
Since its founding in 2021, local nonprofit Montclair Helps has helped about 80 families, distributing about $80,000 in donations and providing up to $1,800 in quick assistance to help families in crisis, per its website. The organization is hosting a fundraising event on Saturday, March 1st, that features live music, a ping pong tournament, and a live auction. Interested attendees can register online here.
Ear Piercing Studio, Rowan, Coming to The Mall at Short Hills
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Mom-founded + women-led company, Rowan, will be opening its fourth New Jersey location for its ear piercing studio. Rowan has been providing ear piercing exclusively by licensed nurses with hypoallergenic earrings. The nationwide business will be opening in Short Hills in the next few months as it has opened other locations in Cherry Hill and Princeton in the last year.
Mental Health First Aid Training Expands at Montclair State University
Montclair State University is taking a proactive approach through Mental Health First Aid training. The program provides participants with the skills to recognize and respond to mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and crisis situations. Students and faculty or staff can undergo an eight-hour, in-person training course that certifies them for three years. Since its initial launch, MSU has certified more than 1,500 members of the campus community, per a news release from the University. More information can be found here.
Applications Open for Summer Jobs For Youth in Newark
Applications for the Summer Youth Employment Program in Newark are now open. Newark residents between the ages of 14 and 24 can get the chance to work up to 16 hours per week through the city’s annual program, earning up to $16 per hour. According to the Newark Youth One Stop Career Center, demand for the program is very high as there were 3,289 applicants for 1,945 work opportunities in 2024. Interested applicants can apply online here before the 2025 deadline of April 28th.
Newark Mayor Unveils New Shelters + Services to Combat Homelessness
The Newark Housing Authority is now designating 200 public housing units to serve as transitional housing for homeless individuals, as it believes this is pivotal in helping them find their permanent homes. In the first week of 2025, 15 unhoused people were given keys to their temporary homes, per PIX11. According to Newark Mayor Ras Baraka's office, about 2,350 individuals are currently living on the streets of the city. The City of Newark is also planning to build a new community with 24 units made from shipping containers and open a 24/7 drop-in center with social services in the near future.
Montclair Hospital Uses AI Technology to Help Treat Heart Disease
Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair is revolutionizing the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) through the integration of two state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) technologies: the HeartFlow FFRCT Analysis and the CathWorks FFRangio® System. The HeartFlow FFRCT Analysis uses advanced AI to transform data from a standard coronary computed tomography angiogram (CTA) into a 3D model of a patient’s coronary arteries in order to calculate fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) values. On the other hand, the CathWorks FFRangio® System assists the HeartFlow technology by assessing coronary physiology during catheterization using AI-driven analysis of routine angiograms. These advancements mark a significant step forward in providing precise, non-invasive diagnostic solutions that improve patient outcomes and enhance the overall care experience.
Montclair Researchers Receive NSF Grant to Advance Research on Human-Machine Interaction
An interdisciplinary group of researchers at Montclair State University has recently received a $533,798 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to further investigate the understanding of interactions between humans, machines, and environments through simulated driving experiments. The project — led by Montclair professor Rui Li with co-PIs Stefan Robila, Jennifer Yang, and Gustavo Heidner — brings together expertise in multimodal interaction and affective computing, computational sensing, psychology, and spatial cognition, along with human biomechanics and motor control to conduct cutting-edge research focused on humans and machines. This research will be tested and deployed on the Montclair extended reality-based driving simulator (XR-Drive), sponsored by the NSF, throughout the three-year project, per a news release from the University.
O’Bagel Coming to Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair
O’Bagel, which has locations in five other New Jersey towns, plans to open at 560 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair soon. This shop, which has won titles in The Hoboken Girl’s Best of awards for multiple years, serves hand-rolled bagels, house-made cream cheese, breakfast burritos, and more. Click here for more.
Montclair Art Museum Partners with NJPAC's ArtsRx Program
The Montclair Art Museum (MAM) recently announced its partnership with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)’s groundbreaking ArtsRx program. ArtsRx bridges the arts and healthcare, supplying creative experiences as a form of therapeutic intervention for mental and physical well-being, through foundational support from RWJBarnabas Health, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, and Women@NJPAC amongst other contributors from the community, per a press release from MAM. MAM expands the program’s reach by providing participants ages 18 and older with access to a variety of enriching art programs like art classes, workshops, and public programs designed to enhance health and wellness.
Yemeni-Style Coffee Spot, Qahwah House, Opens in Montclair
A Yemeni coffee shop, Qahwah House (located on the first floor of 493 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair), serves all kinds of Middle Eastern-style brews, teas, and pastries. Qahwah House is now open in MTC as of this week, and we’re sharing everything locals can expect. Click here for more.
New Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Practice Opens in Montclair
Ascension Pelvic Health + Orthopedics, located at 8 Hartley Street, recently opened its doors in Montclair. Owner Amy Gargin's goal is to spread more awareness about pelvic floor physical therapy to the prenatal and postpartum demographic, along with individuals experiencing bladder or bowel symptoms. It is open Monday through Thursday from 7AM-6PM and is closed on weekends.
Montclair Welcomes Newest Chinese Restaurant, Paper Lantern
The Montclair community welcomed yet another flavor to its local dining scene on Tuesday, February 11th: the culinary tastes of Northern China. Paper Lantern, a restaurant that specializes in Sichuan and Chinese fusion dishes, is Monclair’s newest eatery, setting up shop at 379 Bloomfield Avenue. Click here for more.
Multi-Story Mixed-Use Building Coming to Newark's East Ward
On Monday, February 10th, New York City-based SUW K Urban Renewal LLC received unanimous approval to build a 13-story mixed-use building within Newark’s Riverfront Public Access Redevelopment zone in the East Ward. The site is located at 430-436 Market Street in the East Ward and is currently vacant land. According to TAPinto Newark, SUW K Urban Renewal will construct the building consisting of 1,222 square feet of retail space on the ground floor, 225 residential units of which 45 will be affordable, and 70 parking spaces. It will also provide a gym and yoga room, a home theater, a co-working area, lounge spaces, and a demonstration kitchen.
