Montclair’s Market Restaurant, the hot farm-to-table eatery in the tiny diner across from the Y, had practically outgrown its space the moment it opened. Although outdoor tables helped in the summer, its owners began searching for bigger digs in August. Now, the solution has been revealed. Market will be moving into the first floor of Church Street Kitchen in mid-December. Church Street Kitchen, meanwhile, will cease to operate as a walk-in restaurant, but will retain the second floor for private parties and expand its catering business.
“We become roommates,” explained Church Street’s Greg Spinelli, who will now do business under the name Church Street Catering. The move will almost triple Market’s current capacity, from about 35 seats to 90 at Church Street.
The two businesses will share a kitchen and a dishwasher, but all cooking and wait staff will be separate.
Spinelli says that Market, co-owned by Adi Hecht and Joshua Cederbaum, has already started redecorating his space late at night, and plans to emphasize its farm-to-table theme with a picket fence motif and hanging porch swing. Church Street expects to serve its last meal downstairs on November 29, and the space will be closed for renovations until Market opens there on December 15. Market plans to move its rustic blue sign to the Church Street location, but will need approval of the Montclair Historic Commission.
“It’s a total win-win,” says Spinelli, who says his catering business has exploded in the past year. “We can hardly keep up with it.” He hopes to expand his catering into Manhattan, where he was formerly catering director at The Russian Tea Room and Tavern on the Green, as well as other restaurants.
Spinelli, who has been responsible for attracting lots of live music to his restaurant and to the corner of Church and South Fullerton, says that Wednesday night open mic nights will continue. Greg and Cheryl Spinelli opened Church Street Kitchen in August 2004.
Awesome. I’m excited that Market will be right around the corner and that Spinelli can focus on what he loves doing.
I was never all that impressed with Church Street Kitchen as a restaurant. The owners realluy tried but it always came up somewhat short. I think this is a good move.
The farm theme sounds a little corny, though..
wonder if their hours of op. are going to change?
Congratulations to Greg and Cheryl, and Joshua and Adi! The nicest people in town, and the best food in town!
Sounds great! The kitchen sharing sounds like an issue to me. I’m glad it will be a different restaurant. Church ST Kitchen always seemed to have problems at least over the last 2 years….
Something Different – lol!
once we move we will still serve dinner everyday but tuesday, brunch on sundays, but we will be adding lunch everyday but tuesday as well!
-Adi