A Wonderful Time, a New Gift Shop and Art Gallery, Opens on Bloomfield Avenue October 1

A new gift shop and art gallery called A Wonderful Time is set to open October 1 at 488 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, next to The Clairidge. It is the hometown project of Monique Zauner, co-founder of the snack subscription company Universal Yums, which has shipped more than eight million boxes since it started. The store mixes gifts, original stationery, art, and home goods, and is described as part gift shop and part art gallery. For anyone watching downtown Montclair, it is another sign of the neighborhood's steady retail momentum.

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What is opening

A Wonderful Time is a small, curator-led storefront rather than a big-box addition. The shop stocks stationery, art prints, homeware, scarves, puzzles, and cards, many of them designed by Zauner herself, and the team plans to guide shoppers like hosts rather than run a typical counter. The location on Bloomfield Avenue puts it in the middle of one of Montclair's busiest shopping and dining blocks, right by the historic Clairidge theater.

Why this matters for shoppers and homebuyers

• A full, walkable downtown. A steady stream of independent shops and cafes is what makes a downtown feel alive and keeps residents coming back instead of driving elsewhere.
• Local ownership with a story. A business founded by a Montclair-raised entrepreneur who built a national brand adds a bit of hometown pride and draw.
• It supports the neighborhood feel. Vibrant retail is part of what buyers weigh when comparing walkable Essex County towns.

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The bottom line

A Wonderful Time is a small but meaningful addition to downtown Montclair, bringing gifts, art, and a curated local shopping experience to Bloomfield Avenue this fall. It joins a lineup of new openings across the area that reflect a healthy, walkable retail scene. If you are thinking about buying in Montclair or another Essex County town and want to talk through what makes the right fit, I am happy to help, no pressure.