The Changing Face Of Upper Montclair; New Businesses Set To Open

For years, Upper Montclair has been the go-to neighborhood for The Gap, Williams-Sonoma, Tinga Taqueria, and Cold Stone Creamery, among other destinations. But the tenor of the neighborhood is about to change, at least somewhat, with the arrival of several new businesses.

Set to open are the Four Seasons Kebab House, Sticky Buns, Five Guys, and Baby's Perfect Gift. In addition, Rabbit Rabbit Home Decor is about to move into the old Beyond Knits & Needles location at 224 Lorraine Avenue. And Chelsea Square at 601 Valley Road is undergoing a makeover.

Marcia DeOteris, co-owner of Baby's Perfect Gift, said moving to Upper Montclair is a sure-fire way to target young families.

"I've always considered the Church Street area as more of the hispter area," she said, adding that there are loads of young mothers living in Upper Montclair. "We really do think this will be a good location for this kind of a business."

DeOteris, who has lived in Montclair for more than 20 years, said that it was time for Baby's Perfect Gift, previously a Web-based business, to become a brick-and-mortar site.

She said that Baby's Perfect Gift on Bellevue Avenue is set to open on October 3 with an expanded line of clothing and gift items for babies and toddlers up to size 4T.

"We're going to have a community grand opening with balloons, and raffles, and a clown," she said.

Most likely, Sticky Buns, just a few doors down, will also open on or around October 3. The franchise is also launching outlets in both Ridgewood and Edgewater.

The Kebab House on Valley Road near the Upper Montclair Fire Station is scheduled to open on Thursday, September 23. According to the menu taped to the window, there will be lot of gyros on tap, part of lunch specials priced at $9.95.

It remains to be seen how well the restaurant will stack up against the nearby Jackie's Grillette and Falafel Hut, both of which also sell Middle Eastern fare.

Perhaps the biggest question mark of all still hangs over the opening of Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

The popular Virginia-based chain at 622 Valley Road has been "due to open" for more than a year now.

Molly Catalano, a company spokeswoman, initially said it would open in July, then August, and now it could be anytime between October and December.

Even so, over the weekend it appeared as though workers were putting the finishing touches on the inside decor.

The opening of this restaurant is highly anticipated as Five Guys has been the recipient of a lot of good publicity ever since President Barack Obama made a surprise lunchtime stop at a Five Guys in Washington, D.C. last year. Indeed, he ordered a cheeseburger with tomato, lettuce, mustard, and jalapeno peppers, and also ordered several burgers to go for his staff.

Valerie Fischer, owner of the Banyan Tree in Upper Montclair and former president of the Upper Montclair Business Association, said she's just thrilled so many businesses are making the neighborhood their home.

"It's not unusual for new businesses to open around here ... we are lucky to be in this place and to have so many people interested in the area," she said.

For more information on the Upper Montclair business community, go here.