There's a new face on the block: the Bellevue Avenue building housing Falafel Hut, Tony's and Village Laundry went from blah to beautiful. They lost the 50's look in favor of the Tudor theme which dominates Upper Montclair shopping district..Around the corner on Valley Road, another gift boutique graces the block. Sweet Home Montclair's window announces chocolates, confections, and curiousities. They'll be opening in a few days, and are right next door to Well Appointed Personal Accents.
Signs in the former Baby Boom announce that The Baby Registry by Diapers.com is taking over the primo retail location, but we haven't heard a whisper about it. Tell us what you know...Sappro II, a Japanese restaurant will be taking over the former Dai Kichi Daruma hibachi house.
Jewelry designer Erica Levine (aka Ricki) opened her first boutique recently at 209 Glenridge Avenue, and is one of our newest advertisers. Take a look at her original designs, big and bold. She says her jewelry is for "assertive women." Store hours are Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10:30 to 6. Thursday 10:30 to 7:30 and Sunday 12 to 5.
Just across the street, an elegant showroom featuring mid-century furniture opened. Stop in at Seed to see the original collection...Meanwhile we hear there is an auction gallery moving into the old Fly By Night space at 425 Bloomfield Avenue.
Good vibrations: the window of Anthropologie facing Bloomfield Ave. put a smile on my shopping face. Not the merchandise, the sentiment: "Montclair, we're so excited to be here!"
We found Art & Culture Designs on Bloomfield Avenue, whom we wrote about here, suddenly closed - the shop devoid of any of its lovely merchandise. The owner tells us business was D-E-A-D; the store only survived two months. Was it the location, he wonders?
Montclair BID is planning a BIG one day sale for November 12...participating retailers will offer at least 20% off merchandise one day only...And if you're looking for non-caloric treats this Halloween check out the shopping deals all over Montclair, at Shoplocalmontclair.com and sign up to receive the newsletter.
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Comments (20)
You'll give people a heart attack Annette. Sapporo II is taking over the former DARUMA space. Dai Kichi is still open and thriving.
That Art and Culture store on the ave had really lame stuff inside and a surly guy who was transfixed by his computer the time I was there....
What happened to the shoe repair guy on Bellevue? Does anyone know?
PLEASE say 3rd is right!! Dai Kichi is our absolute favorite. We loved Daruma and it was a blow to see it go, so please confirm DK is staying put!!
I don't know how these wonderful restaurants stay in business with no liquor licenses. The owner of Daruma told me they just got killed during the week -- empty
Yes, they are moving into Daruma's site.
As far as I know, the shoe repair store on Bellevue is still there.
By the way, I use a terrific fellow in Cedar Grove for repairs beyond the usual heels, soles, etc.
Cedar Grove Bootery, at Cedar Grove Bootery 576 Pompton Ave (973) 239-0748
They do excellent work with riding boots, for example.
Leroy, the owner, is terrific.
In addition to exemplary service, you'll get quick and reliable turn around, and a very personable approach to doing business.
And, they also do the usual work at a very good price.
WOW, I scared myself. Sorry for that sushi slip up.
Yes, of course, Dai Kichi is bigger and better than ever, have you seen the enormous expansion out the back? Sorry Dai-Kichi fans, for the mistake.
Given Montclair's financial problems and near-piratical property tax rates, Squire Cary, it might not have been the wisest or most populist-sounding thing to have thrown in a casual reference to the repair of your "riding boots" above.
Even that you go out of town for such repairs might coinceivably be turned against you in the future.
Sweet Home Montclair looks like a wonderful new addition to Valley Road, I hear there chocolate covered Pretzels are the best. My sources tell me that one of Jersey's very own Jonas Brothers get a stash of the owners Pretzels every time they are in Jersey!!! Best of luck to them!!!
And if your usual prose-battering and disregard for facts finally even scared you this morning, Annette, imagine how it affects people who simply read your struggles with both English and journalism regularly here.
cathar,
I don't think that Cary rides! He didn't say he did. And he didn't say that he's had his riding boots repaired there.
Now- back to your drinking...
The new Biz, Ricki L Designer Jewelry, had their Grand Opening a few weeks ago...If you go to their site, and click on Events, you'll see/hear all the excitement of the night...and get a chance to meet Ricki.
A Special tip of the Hat to our Mayor, and councilors Renee Baskerville, and Nick Lewis, for helping with the ribbon cutting, and for supporting local establishments.
For any other local shops in town, if you would like to have a video produced for your website, please contact me at kingcamelot2@aol.com.
Happy Halloween to all.
Wayne Robbins
I believe Sapporo is spelled incorrectly......
ANOTHER Japanese restaurant? How many can one small area support? Why not thai (would LOVE a thai restaurant in Upper Montclair!!)or Greek or SOMETHING ELSE!! Please??
BID should be spelled out...Not everyone will know what it stands for.
RED MANGO opening on Church Street. Frozen yogurt with toppings - like Pinkberry, but better.
And he didn't say that he's had his riding boots repaired there.
Yeah, right. And Clinton didn't inhale.
I agree with Cary, Cedar Grove Bootery is very good. I've been going there for decades - since before Leroy was the owner - but he has continued the excellence.
Riding with fancy boots is not my thing. However I did "discover" Leroy when I tried to find someone really good who could work on boots.
I tried riding when I was in college (Western). It was fun because I lived up state NY (Utica) and could ride on miles of forest and hills. And I could wear Kmart work boots.
WHEN exactly will 5 guys open?? does anyone know? Looks like nothing has happened there for months...
Thanks for the tip since I am not ashamed to admit that I ride and have the need, on occasion, to service my boots. "Tony", the cobbler, is still on Bellevue, he helped me stretch out my current pair at a completely reasonable price, as is all his work.