Industry Tavern Coming to Lackawanna Plaza: A New Steakhouse Takes Over the Former Pineapple Express Space

Industry Tavern, a steakhouse concept teased as a classic warmly nostalgic tavern, will take over the former Pineapple Express barbecue space inside the historic 1913 Lackawanna Station. Here is what the new restaurant means for downtown Montclair,and the people who live nearby.

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What we know so far

Montclair Local reported the news in late August. The restaurant will land inside the historic 1913 Lackawanna Station terminal, a landmark building that gives the plaza its character.

Pineapple Express, a barbecue restaurant, opened there in 2021. The space had sat vacant for several months before this news came out. As of the first reports, no owners had been announced,and there was no confirmed opening date yet.

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Why this matters for the neighborhood

Lackawanna Plaza forms part of Montclair's most walkable stretch,with the train station right there,and every active storefront keeps the block busy. A long-vacant space being filled means more dinner options within walking distance,and steady foot traffic for the other businesses on the plaza.

• Vacancy that ends. A space empty for months becoming a restaurant removes an eyesore,and keeps the commercial corridor feeling alive.
• Transit-adjacent dining. Being steps from trains,this spot serves commuters coming home,and visitors arriving for dinner.
• Character,not flash. A warmly nostalgic tavern fits the historic station's personality,and tends to hold neighborhood value over the long run.

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What this means for buyers and sellers

For anyone choosing Montclair,restaurant news like this is a small vote of confidence in the downtown. It is not the kind of thing that moves prices on its own,but steady openings like this one are part of why the town stays popular.

For renters,it means one more reason the neighborhood stays lively,without driving rents on its own.

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The bottom line

Industry Tavern is the latest sign that Montclair dining stays active,even as the details remain to be announced. I will report back when an opening date or a menu is confirmed.

If you are comparing towns in Essex County,and want an honest,no-pressure read on development,taxes,and home values,I am happy to talk it through with you.