Talking Shop: Upper Montclair Is Always Evolving

Everyone knows that if you don't like the weather in Britain, all you have to do is wait five minutes. It's sort of the same in Upper Montclair: if you don't like the business landscape, all you have to do is wait five minutes and it will change.

Upper Montclair has long 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 continues to change, as businesses open or expand.

For example, only a few months ago, Patch wrote about the openings of Four Seasons Kebab House, Five Guys, and Baby's Perfect Gift. Then Sweet Home Montclair on Valley Road, which opened in November 2009, expanded earlier this year with a new adjacent shop called Words in the space that formerly housed Montclair Paperie. Then there was the opening a few weeks ago of the fabulous cocktail bar and restaurant above Dai Kichi called

But now there are a whole slew of new changes afoot!

Showcasing at least some of them will be the Upper Montclair Business Association’s Annual Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, September 17 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Throughout the day, as always, there will be lots of fabulous bargains—and lots of surprises.

Here's a sneak peek at what's in store for Upper Montclair.

First, Jafajems at 623 Valley Road is expanding with Fancy That, a new store just two doors down that will feature items from Dylan's Candy Bar and MacKenzie-Childs.

Owner Carol Jafferjee, who plans to open during the Sidewalk Sale on September 17, said that she's happy to be bringing two New York City institutions to Montclair.

"We're bringing something different to the Upper Montclair area," she said, adding that "these are businesses that don't normally make their products so widely available."

In addition, a new bakery called Blue Daisy is expected to open at 626 Valley Road in October, with—possibly—a sweet preview of treats available at the Sidewalk Sale.

Blue Daisy Bake Shop will be offering custom cakes, cupcakes and cookies for pre-order, and will also have baked treats available for walk-in customers to purchase and take to any celebration.

Blue Daisy Bake Shop is owned by Jennifer Snyder, a Montclair mom who has been making her cakes and cookie favors for friends and family for the past four years. Her philosophy is that baked goods must first and foremost taste great. Everything is baked from scratch and on site. The added bonus is that her cakes and cookies are decorated in a fun and creative style.

Meanwhile, Ria Maxx, who recently opened Art Gallery and Framing at 618 Valley Road, said Upper Montclair is the place to be.

"We used to have customers from Montclair who would visit our New York City store and we would deliver to them out here ... and then we just fell in love with Montclair," she said.

Roger Ochoa, who opened Chyten Educational Services in January 2010, also said business is good in Upper Montclair.

"All of our tutors are experts in their fields .. they all have to have a master's degree," he said. "We are not a tutoring mill ... we are doing well in this location."

Other changes afoot in Upper Montclair include the opening of Grid Iron Waffles in the space formerly occupied by Sticky Buns on Bellevue Avenue. And, in addition, Alex of Upper Montclair plans to move from Valley Road around the corner to 193 Bellevue Avenue. 

Meanwhile, at the Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, balloons and free popcorn will be given out at Coldwell Banker’s newly renovated location. And storekeepers throughout Upper Montclair will have their largest sales of the year on the day.

Carrie Babcock, co-owner of the on Valley Road, said the business is offering a "slew of new children's programs, including children's latin-fitness, ballroom and latin dance, pre-schooler tap/jazz, and 17+ adult jazz with Broadway veteran Lois Englund."

Also on Saturday, Baby’s Perfect Gift will raffle off a free personally monogrammed baby blanket. And Frederic Goodman Jewelers will raffle a free Michael Kors Watch while Barbara Eclectic will raffle an Ella Vickers Recycled Sale Tote with a gift certificate included.

You can also get your fall planting at the Sidewalk Sale. Members of the Montclair High School community will be selling hardy chrysanthemum plants to benefit Project Graduation Class of 2012. Mum plants in four colors will be available.

So come on out and check out the changes in Upper Montclair during the Sidewalk Sale on September 17—or before! Montclair Patch will be there as well—to welcome you with some special treats for the kids.