Montclair Magazine Holiday 2016 | Page 16

Buzzworthy A BANK REBORN Buzzworthy usually highlights new businesses rather than new buildings, but VAULT491 is both – that is, eight new businesses in one building. Among these are Crazy Mocha, the Pittsburgh-based coffee house/gathering place that offers free Wi-Fi; Radius Digial Science, a medical animation and graphics company; software developer SiteTraker; and Hair491, a renamed salon whose owner wanted a more central location. “It’s fully leased with tenants who wanted to be in downtown Montclair,” says Bravitas Group co-founder Bob Silver, who worked with longtime associates Jack Finn, Rachael Grochowski and Paul VAULT491 Sionas to repurpose the former 491 Bloomfield Ave. bank building. The team retained Montclair one clue to the property’s former life: The safe deposit vault where Radius Digital Science has offices. 414 Pompton Ave. Cedar Grove 973-783-8999 ASTAIRE IN CEDAR GROVE Will this be the year when you finally unveil those dance moves at your holiday get-togethers? It’s never too late to sign up for instruction at FRED ASTAIRE DANCE STUDIOS, which, after two decades in Upper Montclair, has moved to Cedar Grove. “We’re reborn in this space,” says co-owner Carrie Babcock. The sunny, high-ceilinged dance studio may be new, but the skills taught are classic. A $99 gift certificate entitles new students to an introductory program featuring any dance style “where you’re holding on to another person.” 14 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE HOLIDAY 2016 RUTGERS REPRISE With one hit restaurant – DIESEL & DUKE in New Brunswick – already to their credit, Montclair natives and MHS buddies David Cusumano and Kevin Rezvani wanted to introduce their hometown to the DIESEL & DUKE same tasty yet 39 Glenridge Ave. affordable food. “We noticed that dining has Montclair gotten super-expensive here,” says Cusumano. 973-744-0055 “We like to do great food at a comfortable price point that everyone can enjoy.” Their Diesel & Duke in the space formerly occupied by Anderson’s 1949 serves up poutine – fries with gravy and cheese curds – for $4.99, burgers for $6.99, and fried Oreos for $3.69. There’s minimal seating, but ample reasons to take advantage of takeout and delivery, with Mountainside Hospital and the Bay Street train station nearby. ➤ VAULT491: IRA WAGNER; FRED ASTAIRE: CARRIE BABCOCK; DIESEL & DUKE: KEVIN REZVANI FRED ASTAIRE DANCE STUDIOS