While New Jersey locals took advantage of the much-needed downtime during this recent holiday break, all kinds of noteworthy news stories unfolded. The Montclair Girl has got it covered with a list of the news in the area that took place during the break, from one of Essex County’s beloved film festivals returning this year to the approval of an ordinance that reduces the use of single-use plastic products. Read on for six must-read news stories that you missed in the Montclair + Essex County area.
19th Annual West Orange Classic Film Festival Returns for 2025
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The annual West Orange Classic Film Festival, a cherished community event in the Essex County area, will return for its 19th year on January 12th. This festival, which runs every Sunday until March 2nd, will feature all kinds of 20th-century cult classics, including Family Plot, Clue, Purple Noon, Desperately Seeking Susan, and more. For $15 a ticket, locals can see these films at AMC DINE-IN Essex Green 9, located at 495 Prospect Avenue in West Orange. See the full list of films, schedule, and show times here.
Read More: New Businesses Coming to Montclair + Essex County in 2025
Inner City Cafe in Orange Gaining Attention on Social Media
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Inner City Cafe, located at 15 South Essex Avenue in the City of Orange, has gone viral on Instagram for its colorful interior. Guests can stop into this cozy spot and find paint-splattered walls, interesting art, and florals galore. Inner City Cafe also serves a menu of coffee, sandwiches, pastries, and more, as well as books, mugs, hoodies, and other merchandise. Stay tuned to MG for more on this spot in the coming weeks.
Ironbound Farm Market Opening in Lackawanna Plaza
This spring, Montclair will welcome a new farmer’s market to Lackawanna Plaza: Ironbound Farm Market. According to a video released by NorthJersey.com, the market will operate 365 days a year and bring “regionally grown food directly to the residents of Montclair.” This includes produce, meats, and premade meals. The official opening date is still unknown, but this post will be updated with any further details regarding Ironbound Farm Market’s future arrival in Montclair.
Montclair’s “Skip the Stuff” Ordinance to Take Effect on 3/1
Montclair is going green with the approval of “Skip the Stuff,” an ordinance that prohibits the administration of single-use products like plastic utensils, napkins, straws, and mini sauce packets from restaurant take-out and delivery orders unless specifically requested. This ordinance, which has been adopted by towns and cities across the country, was unanimously voted in favor by the Montclair Township Council on December 17th and will be in full effect on March 1st, 2025.
Target is Coming to West Orange
Essex County locals will have a new go-to shopping center this coming fall. According to Patch West Orange, Target is coming to West Orange at 235 Prospect Avenue. While an official opening date has yet to be announced, it is known that the developers have already started the renovations on the 23-acre property.
New Coffee Shop, Qahwah House, Coming to Montclair
A Yemeni-style coffee spot, Qahwah House, has plans to open on the first floor of 493 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair sometime this year. With another location in Clifton, this spot will be the business’s second New Jersey location. While an official opening date is still unknown, Montclairians can expect a menu of Middle Eastern coffee, tea, and pastries, including Qahwah House’s signature Sana’ani Coffee, a medium roast coffee made with cardamom, and Khaliat Alnahl, a roll filled with butter and cheese and topped with drizzled honey.
See More: 2024 Wrapped: The Craziest New Jersey News Stories Of the Year
To stay up to date on the latest Montclair + Northern New Jersey news, follow @themontclairgirl on Instagram and TikTok, sign up for our newsletter that shares the top stories in your inbox here, and check out our events calendar.
A Historic Upstate Getaway: Hotel Kinsley in Kingston, NY
No matter the time of year, a weekend getaway can feel special in every season. A place that’s not too far from home, but just far enough, is Kingston, New York. Recently, our team had the chance to explore Hotel Kinsley in uptown Kingston, NY + its surrounding area. From a winter + cozy feel to a transition to spring, and from a mini outdoor vacation over the summer to soak up the last of fall’s perfect weather, New Jerseyians can make a weekend getaway work all year long. Keep reading to learn more about the luxury boutique hotel in Kingston, New York.
About Hotel Kinsley
Hotel Kinsley is about an hour-and-40-minute drive from the Montclair area by car. It is available by taking the Garden State Parkway to Routes 17, 287, + 87 to get to NY state. Once in New York, drivers can take Route 28. For those who need to take public transit, it is possible to reach the Kingston Area through a series of NJTransit + Amtrack trains. It is more feasible to travel via car, and passengers can travel throughout uptown, midtown, + downtown with ease.
Read More: A Trip to New Jersey’s 2nd Largest Museum: Morris Museum
Hotel Kinsley is one hotel spread across four buildings. Each building has its own personality and style, and there are 42 rooms in total. The Wall Street building, the first building the Hotel acquired, was originally the State Bank of New York and holds rooms with more modern finishes. It is also the space that holds the hotel’s complimentary breakfast + restaurant which is open to the public for lunch + dinner. Fair Street differs from the other buildings as it has rotating local art and also has ADA rooms available (guests should call ahead to inquire further about these rooms).
Pearl Street is one of the last buildings acquired by Hotel Kinsley. It has modern finishes and holds a lounge on the main floor, as well as a gym, massage room, + inferred sauna. The John Street building is a colonial cottage-style building that houses suite rooms for guests. There are seven rooms within the John Street building, in addition to an annex behind it. This annex can be reserved upon request and has two lounges, a kitchenette, and a half bath, making it a great spot for a child’s birthday party or a bride to get ready on her special day.
Hotel Kinsley is a space for all who love colonial-style architecture, contemporary art, + modern finishes. The buildings were established between the 17th + 19th centuries and some have gone through renovations. Much of the hotel’s artwork, including its crest and stunning watercolor art throughout the buildings, was created by Brooklyn-based artist Happy Menocal. The hotel’s crest is broken into four quadrants, each of which represents one of the buildings. The motifs are represented again in each building via a custom carpet design for each building: checkerboard in 301 Wall, lightning bolt in 41 Pearl, green leaf in 270 Fair, and scallop in 24 John.
Hotel Kinsley Local Collaborations
LOLA | 243 Fair Street, Kingston
Hotel Kinsley is associated with LOLA Restaurant + Cafe on Fair Street. LOLA has options available for appetizers, pastas, pizzas, + more. Our team recommends the Calamari (flash fried, with zucchini, + spicy aioli) or the Sauteed Escarole (with garlic, lemon, + white wine) to begin the meal. Then, move on to the Tiger Paw Pizza (with pepperoni, tomato sauce, provolone, mozzarella, onion, + chili honey).
Assembly | 236 Wall Street, Kingston
Hotel Kinsley works in conjunction with The Assembly. Located on Wall Street, this space provides events in its venue space which can hold up to 450 people standing. Some events available for attendees are Josh Ritter, Beth Stelling, + Hudson Valley Burlesque Bash. While Assembly mainly runs ticketed events, Hotel Kinsley provides private events in this space like weddings, bar mitzvahs, + more.
The Menu
Restaurant Kinsley is attached to the Wall Street building. The restaurant is open to the public for lunch + dinner. There is also a bar on the other side of the restaurant serving hand-crafted cocktails to customers. MG recommends starting the evening by ordering a cocktail like Bahamian (coconut-washed Pineapple Rum, Rittenhouse Rye, Pineapple Liqueur, + Absinthe Rinse) or an It’s Not My Fault I’m Happy (Tequila, mezcal, fernet, peach, + lime).
The main dining room provides a colorful atmosphere to try the Lamb Meatball (with romesco, + mint), the Lentil Tacos (black lentils, feta, avocado, pickled onion, + salsa verde), or the Smashburger (on a potato roll with aged cheddar, caramelized onions, secret sauce, + pickles, served with fries).
See More: A Trip to Readington Brewery + Hop Farm in Neshanic Station, NJ
Places To Explore
While the features of Hotel Kinsley provide guests with plenty of time for rest + relaxation, there are also things to do in uptown Kingston worth exploring. For those who appreciate the dive bar scene, check out the Saltbox Bar on Crown Street. For great cocktails + nibbles with an old-timey feel, stop by Stockade Tavern on Fair Street to enjoy intimate lighting and sit at tables made from sewing machines.
For a sweet treat, try stopping in Sweet Maresa’s Bakery for a cup of coffee + a French macaroon or a shortbread cookie. Music lovers should visit Rhino Records or Rocket Number Nine Records to check out a large selection of new + old vinyl. A must-see for a history buff is the Senate House + Museum nearby.
