The ideal gift for a friend, partner, or yourself can be many things. Jewelry is lovely, a gift card for a local restaurant is fun, and something special for the home is thoughtful. On the other hand, the gift of perfume evokes a mood and a memory that can last for years. Read on for a list of the best places to buy perfume in Montclair and Essex County, New Jersey.
Acorn General Store | 41 Church Street, Montclair
Customers can find everything at Acorn General Store. Along with vintage clothing, accessories, locally-made art and decor, this shop sells perfume. Acorn General Store frequently updates its inventory, so there may be different scents available in the coming weeks. As of this writing, the shop sells Bloom’s Eau de Parfum, which has a “clean, bright, and sensual” scent, according to its description, and is made with natural essential oils.
Alchemy Scent Bar | 30 Church Street, Montclair
This shop provides the experience of creating a custom scent, which can be applied to candles, room sprays, body creams, body scrubs, and custom fragrance oil blends. Simply choose your favorite scents from their extensive wall of aromas, and the bouquet specialists will guide you through an engaging process that will lead you to your very own essence. Alchemy also has a premium scent collection reminiscent of famous perfumes worldwide. This Montclair Girl named her distinctive fragrance Mementos.
Read More: A List of Must-Shop Boutiques in Montclair
Beluved Oil Fragrances + Aromatics | 754 South Orange Avenue, Newark
According to the shop’s website, “fragrance is an accessory that is often overlooked,” which is why the owner behind Beluved Oil Fragrances + Aromatics opened a store dedicated to it. At this shop, Essex County locals can find handmade roll-ons in the scents Amber Gold, Aole Vera, Black Butter, Blue Nile, and many others.
Bluemercury | 30 South Park Street, Montclair
This beauty go-to carries over seven perfume brands. Jo Malone is a long-time store staple and crowd favorite. Ellis Brooklyn Eau De Parfum has a home on the top shelf and is in good company with the likes of Maison Louis Marie and Lake & Skye. Blue Mercury’s store manager, Angela Alberti, wears Sana Jardin’s fragrance Sandalwood Temple, and Vihelm Parfumerie’s Dear Polly is a best seller. Testing perfumes in the store can be overwhelming, so the staff will make samples that clients may bring home to decide which scent works with their body chemistry.
Cosmic Perfumes | 1275 Bloomfield Avenue Building 1 Suite 7, Fairfield
Cosmic Perfumes is the go-to shop for all beauty-related needs. In addition to skincare and makeup, patrons can find a wide selection of perfumes for sale, including highly-favored name-brand scents like Daisy by Marc Jacobs, Secret Obsession by Calvin Klein, and much more.
DollyMoo | 217 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
This shop specializes in hand-made bath and body products by two sisters inspired by their Greek grandmother. The sisters also make roll-on perfumed oils that embody the magic and love of their grandmother, especially The Evil Eye Perfume, which comes with a small evil eye for protection — just like the sister’s grandmother used to do. Classic Aura Oils are also available, and the cult favorite is Amber Moon Aroma Oil.
Houss Freya Apothecary | 205 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
This apothecary shop is a must-visit destination for fans of the metaphysical. Customers can expect to find crystals, balms, candles, oils, stones, and — of course — perfumes. The Love Witch Perfume, which has a fresh floral scent, is back in stock. According to Houss Freya’s Instagram, “this cult classic is your secret weapon for extreme allure and an enigmatic aura.”
Hyssop Beauty Apothecary | 674 Bloomfield Avenue, Nutley
Hyssop Beauty Apothecary in Nutley is a great spot for those who like custom scents. In a rollerball bottle, customers can choose up to two oils to create their own perfume. Some of the available oils include amber, black pepper, clary sage, frankincense, and gardenia. The shop also provides pre-made scents, such as Fleur de Lune, which has key notes of amber, jasmine, and ylang ylang; Wintre, with notes of fir needle, vanilla, and peppermint; and more.
Meus | 104 Baker Street, Maplewood
Meus is a home and lifestyle boutique that features local artists, jewelry, inspiring gifts, bath and body products, and enticing fragrances. The store has many perfumes, and Marichelle Hills, the owner, is always on hand to help shoppers pick the perfect scent. MG pro tip: be sure to try the fragrance Sweet Do Nothing by D.S. + Durga.
Monty | 12 North Willow Street, Montclair
Monty is a women’s clothing store that supports independent designers, located at 12 North Willow Street, Montclair, and carries two distinctive small-batch handmade perfume lines. Stora Skuggan, made in Stockholm, is as interesting as the beautifully crafted bottles. Be sure to try Pine. It is intoxicating. Atum Fragrance, based out of Austin, Texas, is made by the artist Kristen Scott. Her scents embody her inspirations. Be sure to walk around the corner to visit Mister, Monty’s counterpart, and a men’s wear store. There you will find Mihan Aromatics. It is made in Melbourne, Australia, and has a fragrance for everyone’s taste.
See More: Skincuress, Buccal Massage + Facial Expert, to Open in Hoboken
Parcel | 608 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
This paper and craft store in Montclair sells handmade knickknacks, art supplies, decor, and everything in between. Parcel also sells a perfume line called Olfactory, which comes in the scents Archive, Heritage, and Nostalgia. These Parcel-branded scents come in a 10-milliliter amber glass roll-on bottle.
The Taliaferro | 28 Valley Road, Montclair
Hailing from East Orange, the owner of this perfume shop started his business with the desire “to help clients create lasting memories through personalized fragrance encounters,” as per the shop’s website. Patrons can find all sorts of unisex scents at The Taliaferro, including Room 129, which has notes of cherry, powder, and bubble gum, Queen Harriet, a floral and citrus fragrance that pays homage to Harriet Tubman, and B.E.D (Become. Everyone’s. Desire), a scent inspired by “clean sheets, fresh out of the shower intimacy, and a walk through a breezy beach house.”
6 New Fitness Spots to Visit in the Montclair Area
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of an in-person workout class. It’s an experience that’s hard to replicate at home — between the low lights, uplifting music, motivational instructors, and collective energy. there’s a large fitness footprint in the Montclair area that has recently welcomed a slew of new studios across modalities like cycling, boxing, yoga, pilates, and strength training. Read on for a list of six Montclair and Essex County fitness spots that are new to the scene.
BFT | 469 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Body Fit Training (BFT) is athletic training at its core, started by a fitness coach for athletes in Australia and evolved for all fitness levels. Its group strength and conditioning training programs burn fat, build lean muscle, and help members reach their fitness goals. The schedule cycles through 14 program types to provide a well-rounded routine. There’s Strength (BFT’s foundation session), Power (think explosive movements at a faced pace), Pump (high-volume resistance), Hyper (focusing on form and function), H.I.R.T (high-intensity resistance training), and Strength Endurance, to name just a few. Coaches float throughout the class to give members individualized attention. First-timers can experience their first class for free.
Read More: A Guide to Workout Studios in Montclair
Move House | 260 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
Essex County native Marissa Herrman opened Move House to create an inclusive, community-based workout that builds confidence while inspiring and challenging the mind and body. She used her background in dance and barre to create low-impact, high-energy, full-body classes. There are currently two class options: Sculpt, which combines barre and pilates with a fun dance vibe, and Barre, which focuses on lengthening the muscles. New students can purchase two classes for the price of one. Move House also provides virtual on-demand classes and personal training options.
Pulse House | 50 Upper Montclair Plaza, Montclair
Pulse, which took over the Ride It Cycle space in Upper Montclair Plaza, is a high-intensity, 45-minute indoor cycling class. Members ride to the beat of the music in and out of the saddle and complete choreography that targets the upper body and core for a full-body workout. Classes feature a weight segment using 3-5 pound dumbbells. In addition to Cycle, its signature ride, the studio hosts weekly music-themed cycles like Hip Hop Monday, Throwback Thursday, Frat Party Friday, and Swiftie Saturday. New riders can take their first class for $10 or opt into a free intro to cycling class.
Rumble | 536 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
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Rumble Boxing sprang up during the studio fitness boom in New York City in the 2010s and has since taken off with locations nationwide, recently landing in downtown Montclair. The boxing-based workout features a 10-round, 45-minute fight evenly divided between two training styles. In its Signature O.G. class, half the class explores the skills and drills of boxing, and the other half focuses on strength training. Class-goers can expect a thumping sound system and a custom playlist for an electrifying workout. Rumble provides a free class for first-timers.
Sol Spirit | 356 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Sol Spirit is a Jersey City favorite, winning our sister brand The Hoboken Girl’s reader-voted Best Yoga Studio in Jersey City for 2023 and 2024, with a second location now in downtown Montclair. Sol Spirit's class variety can fit into many lifestyles and interests, with about 25 weekly classes on the schedule, such as Vinyasa Sol Flow, Gentle Sol Flow, Yin Yang, Yoga for Anxiety, Yoga Fundamentals, Restorative Yoga, and Yin and Mini Sound Bath. The studio also hosts diverse wellness events like Meditation, Healing Circles, Reiki Sound Baths, Breathwork Workshops, and Continuing Education Teacher Training sessions.. New students can sign up for an unlimited month of yoga for $68, and its mats and props are complimentary.
See More: 13 New + Incoming Fitness Spots in Hoboken and Jersey City
The Strength Club | 351 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Strong New York
The Strength Club, a popular fitness studio in New York City, recently opened its second location (and first in New Jersey) in Caldwell. The Strength Club provides group classes and personal training for building muscle strength and conditioning. With the motto of “Quit the HIIT and get strong,” every day has a focus on optimizing training and ensuring ample recovery and muscle growth. There are two days targeting the upper body, two days focusing on the lower body, and three days dedicated to conditioning. With a cap of 18 people per class, members benefit from individualized attention in a supportive, high-energy setting. First-timers can purchase two classes for the price of one.
