Independently owned bookstores can provide a special peek inside the culture of the city or county in which it is located. Each store has a unique take on the books it provides while still carrying classics in popular genres, such as biographies, self-help, fantasy, historical fiction, and more. Essex County, New Jersey is home to several bookstores, each with its own flair, and we’ve rounded up a whole list of them. Read on for must-visit bookstores in the Montclair + Essex County area.
Ant Bookstore + Café | 345 Clifton Avenue, Clifton
View this post on Instagram
Reading books with a good snack or beverage is a winning combination. Ant Bookstore and Café has the best of both. Breakfast, lunch, coffee, and cold drinks are served daily alongside the bookstore. Grab a book inside and head out to the open patio when the weather allows for a peaceful morning or afternoon. Books and food can both be ordered online for pick up in-store.
Read More: Books Based in Essex County + Beyond
The Book House | 281 Essex Street, Millburn
View this post on Instagram
While every bookstore has something unique, The Book House is one of the only to provide book tastings — a special event where an expert from the store will share a curated list of suggested books to choose from. Members of the tasting receive a special discount off of presented books. For those that want a curated experience at home, The Book House has a subscription service of monthly books.
The Collective Bookstore | 460 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
The Collective Bookstore was founded by Verona residents and husband and wife duo Josh and Lauren Jacobs. Once customers walk into the store, they can immediately find themselves right at home with the smell of printed books and brand-new shelves stocked with new worlds and ideas just waiting to be discovered. New releases, bestsellers, staff picks, children’s books, non-fiction, beloved classics, and more can be found on homemade bookshelves that are categorized by genre.
Indigo | 1200 Morris Turnpike (Lower Level near Bloomingdale’s), Short Hills
View this post on Instagram
Located inside the Short Hills Mall, Indigo has endless book options to choose from at its Short Hills store. From new releases, fiction, and non-fiction to kids’, teen, and young adult books, the selection here has something for everyone.
Iris | 25 Valley Road, Montclair
This bookstore sells used and new books and zines from all sorts of genres, from cook books to comics. In the back of the store, Montclair locals will find books on sexuality, gender studies, poetry, and more. Iris also sells art supplies, tote bags, and everything under the sun.
Montclair Book Center | 221 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
The Montclair Book Centers, which is the largest bookstore in the Tri-State Area, has been a staple in downtown Montclair for quite some time. Despite humble beginnings, the store now boasts three levels and two stores filled with a diverse selection of genres, including both new and used books. Although its name suggests only books, vinyl records, journals, tarot cards, puzzles, and more can be found here.
Source of Knowledge Bookstore | 867 Broad Street, Newark
Source of Knowledge Bookstore is an African-Caribbean family-owned bookstore carrying books written by and about people of African descent. In addition to traditional genres seen in most bookstores, Source of Knowledge has an array of African art, drums, and Shona stones. Guests can visit to get the latest in literature or stop by the community center for yoga, lectures, parties, and more.
Watchung Booksellers | 54 Fairfield Street, Montclair
Watchung Booksellers is in the heart of Montclair and provides all kinds of books hand-selected by staff and readers. From books on travel to education and biographies to fiction, visitors can fulfill their literary needs. For those not sure what they are looking for, the expert staff shares over 70 years’ worth of knowledge combined and is always happy to help. This spot is not only great for books, but also Italian food. Da Pepo, a charming little restaurant that serves authentic Italian cuisine, is located inside the shop.
See More: A Guide to Bookstores in Hoboken + Jersey City
[words] Maplewood’s Bookstore | 179 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood
This bookstore has dedicated itself to the practice of inclusion. This can be seen in the selection of books provided, but also with the staff. Word has hired over 100 young people with autism as part of the vocational training program. The mission of this bookstore has been recognized by others and even awarded. Montclair locals can find all kinds of genres at this bookstore, from romance to fantasy to self-help.
‘The Saint Clair’ to Open in Former Scala del Nonna Space in Montclair
In early February 2025, one of Montclair's most iconic Italian eateries, Scala del Nonna, closed its doors after 11 years. Since then, the space has been empty as MTC locals eagerly keep an eye out for what will come next. On Tuesday, April 1st, 2025, The Montclair Girl received an exclusive update from the new business owner taking over the space. 32 Church Street will soon welcome a new American restaurant, The Saint Clair. Read on for everything we know so far about The Saint Clair's arrival in Montclair, New Jersey.
The New Spot
View this post on Instagram
The Montclair Girl received word via DM from local foodie and Top Chef Season 19 contestant, Chef Leia Gaccione, on Tuesday, April 1st that she had an exciting secret to share with the Montclair community. Leia let us know that she would be taking over the former Scala del Nonna space at 32 Church Street in Montclair. With a goal of opening early this summer, the restaurant will be called The Saint Clair and focus on new American eats. The chef driven, locally sourced eatery will feature brunch, lunch, and dinner, and be open seven days a week.
Read More: Skip to My Brew: Montclair’s Newest Coffee Shop on Valley Road
Leia shared with MG that she hopes The Saint Clair will be a "sanctuary for food lovers and community." Noting that she had been inspired by the original architecture of the Church Street building that features beautiful cathedral ceilings and historic features on top of being located in her favorite city (Montclair). While Leia is holding onto final design details of the space, she expressed her excitement for all to come, grateful to share the space with hungry Montclair residents. Above all, Leia is thrilled to be a business owner and resident of Montclair, sharing that being able to feed the community is high on her list of things she is looking forward to. Leia worked in her very first kitchen in Montclair 25 years ago, and feels that this is a true full circle moment of her hard work coming to fruition. We will be sure to keep readers posted with more updates about The Saint Clair as details unfold.
What Was There Before?
View this post on Instagram
On February 9th, 2025, Scala del Nonna announced via Instagram that its Montclair location at 32 Church Street would close permanently on Sunday, February 16th, 2025. The restaurant had served the Montclair community for 11 years prior and was known for its traditional Italian comfort dishes. Currently, Scala del Nonna still has three other locations, called Scala Fedeli, at 63 Main Street in Chatham, 167 Main Road in Montville, and 165 Duane Street in New York City.
See More: First-Ever Foodie Fest for Autism Awareness Happening in Hoboken on 4/5
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.
