In early February 2025, one of Montclair’s most iconic Italian eateries, Scala del Nonna, closed its doors after 11 years. For a while, the space was empty as MTC locals eagerly kept an eye out for what would come next. Back in early April, The Montclair Girl received an exclusive update from the new business owner taking over the space that 32 Church Street would soon welcome a new American restaurant, The Saint Clair. On May 27th, we received another update with renderings of what the space will look like upon opening. Read on for everything we know so far about The Saint Clair’s arrival in Montclair, New Jersey, and a glimpse into the new space.
The New Spot
The Montclair Girl received word via DM from local foodie and Top Chef Season 19 contestant, Chef Leia Gaccione, on Tuesday, April 1st, that she had an exciting secret to share with the Montclair community. Leia let us know that she would be taking over the former Scala del Nonna space at 32 Church Street in Montclair.
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With a goal of opening early this summer, the restaurant will be called The Saint Clair and focus on new American eats. The chef-driven, locally sourced eatery will feature brunch, lunch, and dinner, and be open seven days a week.
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Leia shared with MG that she hopes The Saint Clair will be a “sanctuary for food lovers and community.” She noted that she had been inspired by the original architecture of the Church Street building, which features beautiful cathedral ceilings and historic features, and is located in her favorite city (Montclair).
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Above all, Leia is thrilled to be a business owner and resident of Montclair, sharing that being able to feed the community is high on her list of things she is looking forward to. Leia worked in her very first kitchen in Montclair 25 years ago, and feels that this is a true full-circle moment of her hard work coming to fruition.
Updates as of 5/28
Photo Credit: D&G Interiors + Design
The Montclair Girl team received an exclusive first look at The Saint Clair’s soon-to-open space. D&G Interiors + Design, a Hoboken-based company, is behind the interior design.
Upon opening, customers can expect an “overall vibe [that] teeters between old-world romance and modern-day mystique,” Brian Garcia, Principal at D&G Interiors + Design, shared with MG. Taking advantage of the property’s architectural features, like its groin-vaulted ceilings, the team plans to create a space that features “warm woods and lush greenery” and brass, crystal, and silk accents.
Photo Credit: D&G Interiors + Design
The decor will also include plenty of art, as Brian states it will “[play] a central role in the space.” “There’s an underlying story, almost as if the chef—or some enigmatic collector—has been curating a rotating gallery over the years,” Brian said.
Photo Credit: D&G Interiors + Design
The upstairs area is what Brian refers to as “darker, sexier, and more intimate.” Drawing inspiration from the 1990s film Romeo + Juliet, the space will include dark and gritty (yet romantic) tones. It will have “a vibe all its own, yet still intrinsically tied to the soul of the space below.”
What Was There Before?
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On February 9th, 2025, Scala del Nonna announced via Instagram that its Montclair location at 32 Church Street would close permanently on Sunday, February 16th, 2025.
“Dear Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that after 11 wonderful years, Scala del Nonna will be closing its doors. This is not just the closing of a restaurant—it is the closing of a chapter that has been filled with laughter, love, and the warmth of family, because that is exactly what many of you have been to us.
You were never just customers. You were friends who became family. We have watched your families grow, celebrated your milestones, toasted to your successes, and even grieved alongside you in difficult times. You have filled our dining room with stories, traditions, and moments that we will cherish forever.
It has been an absolute privilege to serve you, to cook for you, and to share in the simple joys of a good meal surrounded by good company. Your support and loyalty have meant the world to us, and there are truly no words that can express our gratitude.
Though our doors may close, the memories we have created together will always remain.
This is not goodbye—just a change of scenery. Please come visit our other locations for the same delicious food that you have come to know and enjoy. We would love to welcome you with open arms and continue sharing meals, laughter, and memories together.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. For everything.
With love and gratitude,
Scala del Nonna Family”
The restaurant had served the Montclair community for 11 years prior and was known for its traditional Italian comfort dishes. Currently, Scala del Nonna still has three other locations, called Scala Fedeli, at 63 Main Street in Chatham, 167 Main Road in Montville, and 165 Duane Street in New York City.
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A Guide to the Essex County Park System
Essex County is rich with opportunities for outdoor activity, with an entire park system comprising over 6,000 acres of open space that spans everything from neighborhood parks to undeveloped reservations. Dating back nearly 130 years, the Essex County Park System is one of the most historical aspects of the county, providing beautiful parks and facilities for community members to play, explore, and engage with nature. Read on for a breakdown of the Essex County Park System in Northern New Jersey.
History
In 1895, the first county park system in the US was established here in our home of Essex County. Governor Werts of New Jersey signed the paperwork to create the Essex County Park Commission and then snagged 60 acres from the City of Newark to make Branch Brook Park the first county park in the nation.
When the Commission got things rolling, the group hired the experts at Bogart and Barrett to start planning the parks, but a few years later, the Olmsted Brothers took over and made their mark. Known for their top-notch work, they designed all the parks and reservations of the Essex County System.
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The Olmsted parks of Essex County are meticulously designed and constructed. Think excavated lakes, carefully arranged mounds, and even imported trees and plants. It’s like these parks are nature’s art exhibit. They’ve got winding roads, natural waterways, open fields, and scenic overlooks. Plus, sunken roadways keep traffic out of sight, and the lush border mounds make it seem like nature goes on forever. There is even a parkway system that links up all these green spaces.
Despite facing social and fiscal challenges over the years, a voter referendum in 1998 led to the establishment of an Open Space Trust Fund exclusively for parks. With additional grant funding and capital investments, the park system has seen over $100 million in improvements since 1995.
Today, the mature landscape brings the grand Olmsted designs to life, making Frederick Law Olmsted and his sons celebrated icons. Public interest in history and historic preservation has never been higher, and Essex County takes great pride in recognizing and promoting the historic significance of its parks.
The Parks
With 24 parks and five reservations in the system, there's something for everyone. Verona Park is one of our favorites in the area, which spans 54 acres with a lake running through it. It's a welcoming spot for family fun with weeping willow trees, winding paths, and lots to do and explore. Within the park, visitors can find a 13-acre lake for boating and fishing, a boathouse that’s open in the summer with a snack bar and boat rentals, a picturesque ornamental bridge, tennis courts, playgrounds, bocce courts, and a gazebo that houses concerts in the park’s center.
Another popular gem is Brookdale Park, which spans Montclair and Bloomfield across 121 acres. This park has a variety of activities, from strolls along the prettiest of trails to engaging in sports on the lush lawns and fields. Visitors can also enjoy the archery range, playground, stadium with a grandstand, and dog park. Additionally, the park is home to the Essex County Rose Garden, which has been blooming since 1959 and features a stunning array of over 100 rose species.
At 360 acres, Branch Brook Park is the largest park in the Essex County Parks System. The park, whose borders move in and out to form an L shape, is approximately a quarter-mile wide and four miles long. It’s best known for its cherry blossom trees, as it boasts the largest collection in the US, with a festival that takes place in the spring.
Other small parks scatter the county, such as Anderson Park in Upper Montclair, which features a half-mile walking path loop and a center meadow often used for picnicking, volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, and other activities. Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell and Essex Fells is another popular spot with tennis courts, a playground, a lake, walking paths, picnic tables, and a baseball field.
For adventurers, Eagle Rock Reservation is located between West Orange, Montclair, and Verona and consists of hiking trails and footpaths that crisscross the woodland. Several routes take hikers to the famous 9/11 memorial and lookout point across from the NYC skyline.
There’s also South Mountain Reservation, the largest of the Park System’s reservations, which is located in central portions of Maplewood, Millburn, and West Orange. Both reservations contain segments of the Lenape Trail, a unique urban/suburban trail connecting 18 parks and 11 municipalities in Essex County.
The Essex County Park System is constantly growing and improving. In the last few years, they’ve added new local treasures like Cedar Grove Park, Riverfront Park, Kip's Castle Park, and Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.
Activities + Events
The Department also runs Turtle Back Zoo, Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain Recreation Complex, the Essex County Environmental Center, and three golf courses. The Division of Cultural Affairs has programs for seniors, children, and families. The parks host fun events throughout the year, like the Cherry Blossom Festival and the Summer Concert Series, in collaboration with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
See More: A Guide to Parks with Splash Pads in Hoboken + Jersey City
The famous Cherry Blossom Festival at Branch Brook Park attracts tens of thousands annually to see over 5,000 trees in full bloom — arguably better than the collection in Washington, DC. The Free Summer Concerts series features everything from jazz to classical music — something for every music lover. Plus, TripAdvisor.com named Turtle Back Zoo the best in New Jersey, making it a must-visit. And if that's not enough, Olympic figure skaters train at the ice arena, thrill seekers scale a Treetop Adventure Course, and art lovers gather at Riker Hill Art Park.
To stay updated on all the happenings at the parks, check out the Essex County Park's Instagram page.
