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24 Montclair Area News Stories This Week | February 16, 2025
Love — as well as snow — filled the air this week as Valentine's Day and another slew of snowstorms arrived in our beloved New Jersey. 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: Out Montclair releases an organizational update; Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair is set to close at the end of the school year; and the Montclair Pee Wee Recreation Cheer Team wins its national championship. Read on for all the news in Essex County for the week ending February 16th, 2025.
Have a news story or press release? Email it to [email protected].
Among the Headlines (read on for full stories):
- MG Visits Corner Slice: Maplewood’s Newest Pizza Spot
- New Jersey Local Flies Across East Coast for Animal Rescue Mission
- Out Montclair Releases Organizational Update
- Montclair Brewery Releases Special Heritage Beer Honoring MAAHF
- El Gordo Peruvian Eatery To Open Montclair Location Next Week
- Sihana Bistro Opens at Newark Urby
- Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair Set to Close at End of School Year
- New Forum Coffee Locations Coming to Essex County
- Pride Center of Montclair Launches Following Changes at Out Montclair
- Mud Clay Studio Opening 2nd Montclair Location in Former Moss + More Storefront
MG Visits Corner Slice: Maplewood’s Newest Pizza Spot
The new Corner Slice Pizzeria, located at 419 Boyden Avenue in Maplewood, is quickly becoming a local favorite because of its love of community and commitment to only the best ingredients. The establishment is an enduring representation of Mike, the owner’s, culinary journey, and everything in the restaurant has a story or a reason that lends itself to an inviting community. Click here for more.
New Forum Coffee Locations Coming to Essex County
A new coffee experience storefront, Forum Coffee, recently announced it will be opening several locations throughout Essex County in 2025. Towns such as Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, and Nutley will be home to these new locations, per its website. Forum Coffee is currently open in East Hanover, Livingston, and Hoboken.
New Jersey Local Flies Across East Coast for Animal Rescue Mission
Photo Credit: Maria Morgana
On February 2nd, New Jersey local Maria Morgana joined Pilots to the Rescue, a nonprofit organization dedicated to animal welfare, to embark on a mission to save 28 dogs and seven cats in Virginia from euthanasia. Maria flew from New Jersey to Virginia to Massachusetts then back to New Jersey to help Pilots to the Rescue give these animals a second chance. Click here for more.
The Clairidge Boosts Security After Bathroom Fight
On Monday, February 10th, a fight between two men experiencing homelessness ensued inside a bathroom at The Clairidge on Bloomfield Avenue. According to Montclair Local, the two men fought at about 12:30AM before first responders arrived to transport one of the men to the hospital after he suffered “swelling above his eyebrow." There were no reported arrests made or charges filed as both parties were said to be ‘mutual combatants’ and neither person wanted to pursue charges against the other. Clairidge General Manager Chris Murrell said the theater has immediately placed additional security at the establishment.
Out Montclair Releases Organizational Update
Out Montclair — the organization that provides support for the LGBTQIA+ community in the area — issued an update on Friday, February 7th, about some "changes and challenges" it has been recently facing. The statement (above) said, "Following the Montclair Pride June 2024 festival and events, it became apparent to the board that the budget presented and managed by its employed staff would not meet one of the key expectations approved by the board, namely, that the annual event serve as a source of financial support for the organization’s year-round services and programming." The update also informed the public that this period of transition in leadership has been a challenge and the next 30 days play a critical role in determining Out Montclair’s future.
El Gordo Peruvian Eatery To Open Montclair Location Next Week
El Gordo Peruvian Eatery, a family-owned restaurant that has been serving authentic Peruvian cuisine in New Jersey for 28 years, will be hosting the grand opening of its newest location in Montclair on Friday, February 21st. The restaurant is located at 324B Orange Road and will begin at 12PM, per a statement from the restaurant. Owner Madison Velis is helping expand the family legacy started by her mother in 1996 by operating the new Montclair location.
Montclair Brewery Releases Special Heritage Beer Honoring MAAHF
Photo Credit: Montclair Brewery
Montclair Brewery has announced its annual Black History Month beer series, celebrating Black culture, history, and resilience. This year’s highlight is the Heritage Barleywine Style Ale, made with African-inspired ingredients to honor the Montclair African-American Heritage Foundation (MAAHF) on its 35th anniversary. The official release will take place on Friday, February 21st, from 5PM-7PM at Montclair Brewery’s taproom located at 101 Walnut Street, followed by a live performance from artist Leah Jenea from 7:30PM-9:30PM. According to a press release from the brewery, a portion of beer sales from the Heritage ale will be donated to MAAHF. Montclair Brewery will also debut its Bourbon Vanilla Stout, a deep and malty dark beer with roasted chocolate notes infused with Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans, delivering a nutty aroma and flavor.
Sihana Bistro Opens at Newark Urby
Urby, known for its innovative residential communities with imaginative design and vibrant communal spaces, recently announced the opening of Sihana Bistro, a new day-to-night café by celebrated local operators Kreshnik Berisha and David Khabuliani. The café is open daily for brunch, lunch, and dinner from 11:30AM-10PM and is set within Newark Urby in the heart of Downtown Newark at 159 Washington Street and across from Rutgers University. Sihana Bistro brings a blend of Mediterranean and Georgian-inspired cuisine to the area, continuing the founders’ mission of "creating spaces that celebrate Newark’s rich diversity while addressing community needs," per a press release from Cahn PR. In addition to its inspired menu, Sihana Bistro provides visitors a hands-on culinary experience with interactive cooking classes.
Montclair's Bleu Blanc Art Debuts Mommy-And-Me Pottery Classes
Bleu Blanc Art, a new art shop located at 127 Valley Road Unit D, has recently started providing baby-friendly pottery classes. Moms, dads, and their babies can comfortably enjoy a pottery-making class in a cozy atmosphere. Bleu Blanc Art is open from 10AM-5PM daily.
Bloomfield Launches New Township Advisory Committees
Bloomfield Mayor Jenny Mundell and the Township Council have recently announced the establishment of four new advisory committees aimed at enhancing community engagement and celebrating the diversity of Bloomfield residents. These committees, which were officially established by resolution during the Township Council meeting on January 27th consist of the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Advisory Committee, the Fiesta Latina and Hispanic Heritage Month Advisory Committee, and the Women’s History Month Advisory Committee. These committees will provide residents with opportunities to have a direct impact on key events, initiatives, and celebrations within Bloomfield, per a news release from the township. All applications will be reviewed in preparation for committee appointments during the regular Township Council meeting on Monday, February 24th.
Underground Electric Fire Surfaces in Bloomfield
This morning The Bloomfield Fire Department operated at an underground electric vault fire, with multiple minor explosions in the vault in front of 224 Broad St. PSE&G electric responded to the scene to determine the cause and make necessary repairs. pic.twitter.com/vHUHAXp7WU
— Bloomfield Fire Department (@Bloomfieldnjfd) February 6, 2025
On Thursday, February 6th, an underground electric fire in Bloomfield with minor explosions caused a temporary evacuation of some nearby buildings due to elevated levels of carbon monoxide on Thursday morning. There were several buildings in the area that reported burning odors inside. As a result, all buildings were investigated, and a few of them had elevated levels of CO and were briefly evacuated. These buildings have since been ventilated and CO levels subsided to allow the return of occupants.
West Orange High School Bands Announce BIPOC Commissioning Project
The West Orange High School Bands recently announced a Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Commissioning Project, allowing composers in a minoritized community to compose original music pieces for the ensemble. According to a news release from West Orange Public Schools, the West Orange High School Bands will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of musical styles and traditions by collaborating with BIPOC composers and will reflect the diverse backgrounds of its members. Through this initiative, WOHS Bands seek to amplify underrepresented voices in the music composition field and provide students with an understanding of different cultural backgrounds.
Maplewood Family Donates $1M to Local Foundation
The Maplewood Foundation, a community foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life of all Maplewood residents, recently announced it received a $250,000 donation from Fred and Susan Profeta, bringing the family’s total giving to more than $1 million. The Profetas, who serve as president and recording secretary of the Foundation respectively, provided $500,000 in seed funding for the Foundation in 2023 and more gifts in 2024. The Foundation has awarded $120,000 in grants to 16 nonprofits serving Maplewood’s residents, with Fred announcing its goal of giving $90,000 in grants at the end of this year and $100,000 at the end of 2026. The Foundation’s areas of grant-giving focus include a wide range of focal points, which include climate and environmental stewardship, educational scholarships, and programs for individuals with disabilities.
Essex County Awards $5.7M in Grants to Support Community Development + Emergency Services
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced on Friday, January 31st, that about $5.7 million will be distributed to 10 Essex County municipalities and 30 community organizations through the Community Development Block Grant program and the Emergency Services Grant program. A total of $4,343,781 was awarded to 10 municipalities and County programs in the Essex County consortium, while a total of $893,000 was awarded directly to non-profit community organizations, per a news release from the county. A total of $460,630 was also awarded to nine local social service agencies through the Emergency Services Grant program to renovate shelter facilities, support housing programs and homeless prevention services, and street outreach initiatives. 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.
Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair Set to Close at End of School Year
The Office of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Newark, in consultation with the Board of Trustees of Immaculate Conception High School (ICHS) in Montclair recently announced the difficult decision to permanently close the school on June 30th, 2025, at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 academic year. The decision to close comes after a continued decline in enrollment, ongoing financial challenges, and the condition of the aging facility. The school will host an informational meeting (date pending) to assist students and parents during this transition, including alternative educational opportunities, resources, and next steps for the upcoming academic year.
Montclair Pee Wee Recreation Cheer Team Wins National Championship
Montclair's Bulldogs Jr. Pee Wee cheer team made history by claiming its first National Crown on December 6th-10th, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. On January 28th, members of the team were honored before the Council Meeting with a proclamation by Mayor Baskerville and the township council. The Pop Warner Cheer + Dance Championships features over 500 cheer + dance teams who compete at the four-day event, per a news release from the township.
St. Benedict Prep Students Earn QuestBridge Scholarships
Six St. Benedict Prep Students have been awarded the distinguished QuestBridge Scholarship, a highly sought-after scholarship providing full funding for each student's admission to some of the most selective colleges and universities in the country. According to a news release from the Newark-based school, the scholarship, which focuses on creating educational opportunities for high-achieving students from marginalized backgrounds, is one of the most competitive programs in the United States. The St. Benedict’s Prep recipients for this year include Yair Abreu from Nutley; Merlin Dilone from the Bronx; Adrian Freire from Plainfield; Rakshan Raveendran from Irvington; Christopher Zaruma from Newark; and Kevin Zaruma from Newark.
Two Abandoned Dogs Found Padlocked in Bloomfield Park
Two dogs were found padlocked and abandoned inside Watsessing Park in Bloomfield on the morning of Wednesday, February 12th. The Bloomfield Police Department and Animal Control responded to find two dogs padlocked inside the park — one brown female and one male brindle — both wearing chain collars and not microchipped. The shelter is still in the process of investigating the incident. Individuals who may know any additional information to help identify them or their origin may call 973-748-0194.
Orange Memorial Hospital Redevelopment Plan Gains Approval
Gateway Merchant Banking have recently gained unanimous site plan approval from the City of Orange Township Planning Board to revitalize the property of Orange Memorial Hospital. According to Jersey Digs, Gateway will be investing $350 million into a phased redevelopment project anticipated to begin this year and will be built to LEED Silver standards to include 1,005 apartments, in which up to 20% of which will be affordable housing units. Locals who are interested in learning more about the project are invited to attend one of the upcoming town hall meetings on Wednesday, February 19th at First Shiloh Baptist Church on 424 Main Street and Thursday, March 6th at St. Matthew A.M.E. Church on 336 Oakwood Avenue at 6PM to hear Mayor Warren and officials from Gateway share the vision.
Mud Clay Studio Opening 2nd Montclair Location in Former Moss + More Storefront
Mud Clay Studio, which opened up its first Montclair location in spring 2023, will be opening up a second MTC studio at 42 Upper Montclair Plaza in Upper Montclair in the former Moss + More storefront. In addition to all of the courses and events at the Bloomfield Avenue studio, More Montclair Mud will provide even more opportunities to try your hand at pottery. Click here for more.
Pride Center of Montclair Launches Following Changes at Out Montclair
The former executive director of Out Montclair has recently started a new organization after her departure from the established local LGBTQ+ organization, Out Montclair. This comes after Out Montclair announced some administrative changes and financial decline, sparking some controversy in the community of the two similar groups. The Pride Center of Montclair listed two upcoming events on its website, per Montclair Local: a Bingo! Night hosted by drag queen Mimi Sashimi on Wednesday, February 26th, at Just Jake's in Montclair and an event on Friday, March 28th that will celebrate the work of transgender authors in honor of International Transgender Day of Visibility.
Montclair’s Scala del Nonna Closing Today
Scala del Nonna, located at 32 Church Street in Montclair, announced this week that it will close today, Sunday, February 16th, 2025. The Italian restaurant serves up all of the staples — including lasagna, gnocchi, pappardelle, filet mignon medallions, seafood, and more. Click here for more.
NJIT Launches ‘AI Microcredential’ Program
The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark will debut an AI Literacy Microcredential that makes sure graduates are AI-literate, ethical in AI use, and capable of leveraging AI tools effectively across various disciplines in this era. The microcredential features ten non-credit two-hour courses and will be available free of charge to all NJIT students — regardless of level and major — and to the general public for a fee starting this spring, per a news release from the college. More information and registration can be found online.
The Gyro Project to Open This Week in Newark
PHOTO CREDIT: Onyx Equities
The Junction at Gateway Center in Newark is having its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Gyro Project on Wednesday, February 19th at 11:30AM. The Gyro Project provides a modern, street food-style menu featuring gyro platters, souvlaki, Greek-style lamb chops, moussaka, house-stacked meats, and imported olive oils per a press release from the establishment. This new location at The Junction will favor both office and fast-casual takeout customers, enhancing the dining options available to Gateway Center’s office tenants and the Newark community following its successful debut in Fort Lee in 2023.
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