Here at The Montclair Girl, new restaurants, enticing bakeries, and fashionable boutiques excite us, but it’s the hidden gems that make our hearts beat. A family business that you may have walked by but never really noticed until something caught your eye in the window. Montclair is full of stores and services that have stood the test of time and chances are, life has brought you to one of them making it a new and old discovery all at once. MG came upon such a store. Tina Jewelers, located at 32 A Church Street in Montclair, is a discreet yet inviting jewelry store that embodies the groove of Church Street and the importance of community. Read on to learn more about Tina Jewelers in Montclair and the owner Basem Alhazim.
About The Owner
When Basem Alhazim came to The United States from his home country of Syria, he landed in Clifton, New Jersey. He would often visit Montclair and the Church Street area because he enjoyed the culture, restaurants, pleasant shopping vibe, and the people.
Read More: Where to Get Permanent Jewelry in Northern New Jersey
Basem’s family has always been in the jewelry business which is where his love of vintage watches came from. He is also a jewelry designer and enjoys searching for interesting pieces. His brother had a jewelry store in Bloomfield, which inspired Basem to open his own jewelry store. He knew right away he wanted his store to be on his beloved Church Street.
Basem eventually opened Tina Jeweler’s first location in Montclair on Church Street almost 30 years ago. The original location was at 16 Church Street, which now houses Dutch’s Sandwich Shop. Ten years ago when 32 A Church Street became available, Basem knew that was where he wanted to relocate the family business.
Interesting Church Street history: 32 A Church Street was the original location of Montclair’s beloved Raymond’s Luncheonette, which has also proven to stand the test of time.
Presently, Tina Jeweler is a family affair. Basem is regularly found welcoming clients into his store which is unique unto itself. Fadi Badis, his nephew, focuses mainly on the shop’s online presence with marketplaces, such as Ruby Lane and First Dibs. He also oversees the social media outreach. Elias, another nephew of Basam’s, is also always on hand to help clients and keep the store running smoothly.
Services
Tina’s may seem small but the services are extensive. The team can customize family pieces into something unexpected, giving heirlooms a new love story to tell. The team prides itself on working with customers to get their vision exactly right.
The family’s specialty is an extensive collection of estate jewelry, art deco, antique and vintage jewelry, and vintage watches. The one-of-a-kind pieces speak to the eclectic taste of Montclair locals and collectors around the world.
“The trend of jewelry today is breaking the trends,” Basem told The Montclair Girl. We are told natural gemstones in vibrant colors are replacing the traditional diamond engagement ring.
Unique and vintage pieces are commonly sought out by younger and older generations alike, making this hidden gem of a store not so hidden any longer. Modern adornments still have their place in Tina’s, assuring everyone’s jeweled desire is met.
Repairs are done with care and trust as well as appraisals for insurance companies.
Favorite Downtown Spots
Basem always starts his day with coffee from Java Love or Paper Planes. For a sweet treat, Jayce Baudry French Pastry is everyone’s go-to.
See More: Where to Get Your Ring Cleaned or Repaired in Hoboken + Jersey City
Lunch is always at Raymond’s and when working late, sushi at Aozora + Scala Del Nonna, which is next door to Tina’s, are the family’s favorites.
Follow Tina Jewelry on Instagram here.
Meet Montclair’s Newest Chinese Restaurant: Paper Lantern
Other states may have us beat with lower taxes and year-round warm weather, but when it comes to diverse cuisine, New Jersey stands second to none. Take Montclair for example. The town, as small as it is, has streets lined with globally inspired restaurants, from Mediterranean food to Yemeni fare to the rich cuisines of Ethiopia. The Montclair community welcomed yet another flavor to its local dining scene on 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. Read on for what we know about Paper Lantern, the newest restaurant to open in Montclair, New Jersey.
The Details
Paper Lantern, a Chinese restaurant serving Sichuan and Chinese fusion dishes, has put down roots at 379 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. This spot held its soft opening on Tuesday, February 11th, 2025 and hosted its official grand opening on Monday, February 17th.
Arvin Vheng, the manager of Paper Lantern, told The Montclair Girl that this new spot is owner Alex Niu’s latest business venture. Alex is also the mastermind behind the Jersey City staple Taste of North China on 75 Montgomery Street, which also serves Sichuan-inspired fare. “We trying to explore the different communities..expand the business..and give the community diverse choices for Chinese food,” Arvin shared with MG.
Read More: O’Bagel Coming to Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair
At the Paper Lantern, Montclarions can find dim sum, cold dishes, and traditional Sichuan options like the chef-recommended spicy boiled beef, which comes with boiled sliced beef, vegetable medley, and Sichuan chili broth, and the sichuan spicy offal stew, made with tender offal and crisp vegetables in a numbing chili broth.
Those with dietary restrictions don't have to miss out on the fun because Paper Lantern also has all kinds of vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian menu items. Plant-based eaters also have options like the scallion pancakes, garlic cucumber salad, boletus mushroom fried rice, and mala dry hot pot.
Its gluten-free dishes include the House Special Lo Mein, which comes in beef, chicken, or vegetable, Rice Noodles, Yangzhou Fried Rice, Steamed Spare Ribs With Rice Powder, Shrimp Dumplings, and Sichuan Cold Jelly Noodles, which is also vegan. While the entire menu is a must-try in our book, the MG team recommends the chicken lo mein, which is large enough to serve two people.
Once the restaurant settles in its new location, Paper Lantern looks forward to adding more to its menu in the future. Montclair customers can expect dessert options, more spicy dishes for those who like the heat, and "a lot more choices for people who have different tastes and preferences," Arvin told MG. Paper Lantern also hopes to eventually expand its cuisines to other areas in the Garden State.
To celebrate its arrival in Montclair, Paper Lantern is providing customers with 10% off of all dine-in orders through February 28th. Diners can visit this restaurant any day of the week from 12PM to 9:30PM.
See More: Crumbl Cookies Hosting Grand Opening in Downtown Jersey City on 2/28
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