Montclair Center is classic and edgy, urban and urbane, great business and great fun. Montclair Center is a First Suburb and a modern Transit Village. Most of all, Montclair Center is a great place to shop, dine, work, live and play. These exciting dichotomies and more are summed up in our tagline — Montclair Center: Where the Suburb Meets the City.
Montclair Center Business Improvement District (the BID) celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 2022 and continues to proudly serve the businesses, property owners, residents and customers of the district. The BID was founded by merchants and property owners who were concerned about on-street aesthetics, safety, code enforcement, customer attraction and district marketing.
Montclair Center Corporation started operations in the summer of 2002. Since that time, Montclair Center has become known for its vibrant street life, fabulous restaurants, award winning retail, great art scene and pedestrian friendly office setting.
In 2012, 2013-14 and 2018 this ribbon of commercial zoning was recognized as New Jersey’s Favorite Downtown Arts District. In 2015, Downtown Montclair won the Great American Main Street Award for the best Downtown in the US. And no wonder! The district is New Jersey’s restaurant row; an arts and entertainment destination; home to some of the best independent, national, and international retailers; and a magnet for creative businesses. If you are already familiar with Montclair Center, you know and appreciate our unique offerings.
If you are thinking about doing business in Montclair Center, contact us at 973.509.3820 or visit our resources page to get your welcome packet to learn about our convenient location, great quality of life and desirable demographics.
Main Street is a comprehensive revitalization program that promotes the historic and economic redevelopment of traditional business districts in New Jersey and a dedicated supporter or the Montclair Center BID.
What We Do
The Montclair Center BID works to keep Montclair Center great, make it even better, and let the world know about shopping, dining, working and living in Montclair Center. We focus on vibrant streets, economic development and quality of life. We follow the National Main Street model and bring value to the district in four fundamental ways:
- Identify and recruit new businesses to Montclair Center
- Connect property owners and their agents with potential tenants
- Work with existing businesses to make their ventures more successful
- Help new businesses learn the local ropes
- Encourage, create and promote events that draw customers and focus to the district
- Brand and market the district, through public relations, social media and advertising
- Advocate for business friendly ordinances and practices in municipal agencies
- Serve as an “honest broker” between local businesses and governmental agencies
- Encourage and contribute to public placemaking within Montclair Center
- Promote and encourage the artistic and historic eclecticism of the district
- Supplement municipal amenities, maintenance and sanitation efforts
Who We Are
Montclair Center Corporation Board of Directors has 21 members, comprised of seven district property owners, seven business owners, two town councilpersons, one resident and four at-large members. The full Board meets nine times a year. Program, administrative and executive committees meet and work as needed. The By-Laws of the organization can be found here.
Board of Directors
Executive Board
Jaji Packard, President
Ashley Cyrus, Vice President
Liz Rich, Secretary
Matt Horrigan, Treasurer
Ernst Goldman, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
Celestina Ando
Emer Featherstone
Daniel Garcia-Pedrosa
Rachael Grochowski
Natalie Haddad
Ray Ketchum
Jill Montague
Jacob Nieman
Julian Payne
David Placek
Matt Silverman
Robert Squires
Kristen Zachares
Councilor David Cummings,
4th Ward
Councilor Lori Price Abrams,
3rd Ward
Staff
Jason Gleason, Executive Director
Judy Ross, DMO Director
Jackie Apicella, Marketing and Events Director
Pauline Heaney, Office Manager
CDS
Jerry Rafalovich, Supervisor
Jason Field, Ambassador
Johnathan Graham, Ambassador
Tarrance Hunt, Ambassador
Ricky Commander, Ambassador
If you are a Montclair Center business owner interested in volunteering for the BID, contact:
Montclair Center at 973.509.3820.