Montclair Business

Monclair Village is the small commercial district of Montclair that stretches along Highway 13. Packed on evenings as Montclarions get off work and on Saturday and Sunday mornings when the local families descend on the Village for brunches and relaxation, Montclair’s “business district” serves all the basic needs of locals except maybe those of entertainment (there is not a Montclair movie theater). You can do everything from get a haircut to mail a letter here.

Despite its tiny size—it is barely four blocks long and two wide—Montclair Village has quite an offering as far a culinary desires. Two supermarkets bookend the neighborhood on north and south—Lucky’s and Safeway; their proximity makes it necessary to stay ever aware of their knowing clienteles discerning tastes and whims. A well stocked spirits store and an A.G. Ferrar—with it daily fresh French loaves—make preparing for visits and parties a simple task. For those who would rather go out or get take-out rather than prepare their own meals, they will find everything from pizza to sushi in town. Crogans--part-Irish pub, part restaurant-- is a favorite nightspot for married couples to entertain relatives and friends. (You can also get Indian, Italian, and Mexican in town.)

The affluent stay-at-home moms and dads will also find a smattering of clothing boutiques and gift shops, making it easy to stay local and still find the perfect new outfit or birthday present. Shutterbugs will find a rarity these days—an actual mom-and-pop type camera store, while active types can get their athletic needs and desires fulfilled at the sporting goods or bicycle shop.

The city planners smartly placed Montclair Elementary at the northern end of town right by the park where kids just off school can play for bit or take a stroll around the lake before moms tow them into town to snag a few groceries or run a couple of errands.

It’s a bit too open-laned and busy to really seem quaint—though that is definitely the intended aesthetic, but Montclair Village is perfectly suited to local needs and desires. A nice little suburban one-stop commercial district.