Montclair Grants New Liquor License: Here’s Who Got It

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Township Council granted a new liquor license during their meeting earlier this week.

The council unanimously voted to pass a resolution that approves a “theater exception license” for plenary retail consumption to Montclair Film at the Claridge LLC, the nonprofit that spearheads the town’s annual film festival.

Montclair – like other towns in New Jersey – has a high bar when it comes to capturing a coveted liquor license. However, state law allows a township to issue a plenary retail consumption license to a nonprofit corporation which “regularly conducts musical or theatrical performances or concerts for which admission is charged,” without regard to population limitations.

The town issued a notice of intent to issue one plenary retail consumption (theater exception) license on Feb. 23 and March 2. Montclair received two applications: one from Montclair Film at the Claridge LLC, and the other from the Vanguard Theater Company.

The Vanguard Theater Company withdrew its application on June 2.

The council voted quickly to approve the license on Tuesday, with nobody speaking against it during a public hearing.

“Certainly, I know along with my colleagues, we’re pleased to be able to move this through,” Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller said after a public hearing for the license.

“We know that the film festival and others will be able to utilize this appropriately,” Spiller said.

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