Montclair Juice Basin Closing; ‘Developers, Big Brands’ Blamed

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A Montclair business is due to shut its doors on Halloween, and it’s partly due to “developers” and “big box brands,” its owners say.

The Juice Basin on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair will be closing on Thursday, Oct. 31, its staff recently reported on social media.

The company – which also has locations in Asbury Park and Jersey City – touts its “socially and environmentally conscious” mission, which includes organic ingredients and sustainably sourced packaging.

On Monday, a representative of the business shared more details about the closure on a Patch Neighbor Post (learn how to create your own event or article).

They wrote:

“After six fortunate years, we made the decision to close our Montclair Juice Basin location this Halloween night, Oct. 31. It is truly with a heavy heart for more reasons than we could possibly list. Montclair Township has a special place in the Juice Basin hearts. As the founders, we raised our children in this beautiful township while creating ever lasting friendships with neighbors, coaches and business owners. We support the public schools and NYC transportation hubs while patronizing the many cultural gems and sports facilities.

“Like the invasive beetle species responsible for the cutting of over 2,000 trees in our ‘City On The Hill,’ developers and big box brands have also invaded our community determined to decimate its charm. Local businesses striving to pay decent wages while maintaining the physical upkeep of decaying infrastructure and renewed costly rents are simply in a holding pattern while awaiting the imminent wrecking ball. This uncertainty creates a business growth challenge.

“Gradually the walking Bloomfield Avenue business strip has become a vehicular highway while meandering pedestrians have faded into quick service delivery systems. The interpersonal communication of why fresh, organic artisan craft products demand a higher ticket price wafts silently away while more and more buyers click to big box for quick solutions.

“The definition of progress is to move forward or onward. May the Montclair community take a moment to assess their personal interpretation of progress. From what we can see, the many new developments block your neighborhood streaming sunshine, eliminate tall hard wood trees and create a less than desirable streetscape for community interaction.”

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