Art of Essex

Robert Genovese

A SoHo Inspired Gallery

By Dan Epstein

Nestled in Watchung Plaza in Montclair is Local Coffee, a jewel of a shop wherein carefully curated food and beverage products from the tri-state are to be found. And while there’s generally always a few people waiting to order at this wonderful independent coffee bar, it’s the art gallery housed in it that first brought us there.

The beating heart of the establishment is Robert Genovese whose family owned the well-known Miladys bar in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village for decades. Coming of age in the hospitality industry, indeed in a neighborhood establishment, drew the outline for his life goals. Growing up in SoHo, his childhood friends were the children of locallybased artists. Surrounded by artists and the local Art world provided the color that enriched that outline. He says the relationship between the Italian neighbors and the SoHo artists sharing the same community is responsible for what he and his wife Adele have created in Montclair: a coffee shop with a neighborhood feeling that houses a very real art gallery.

Every month for the five years the doors have been open, Genovese makes the gallery available to a different artist. It’s a well designed, thoughtful space just perfect for looking at art. He does it for the pleasure he derives from becoming acquainted with the artists, and likewise the knowledge that he’s supplying a steady stream of eyes on each of the gallery’s exhibits while offering commission-free sales to the artists, as well as space to host a reception to celebrate the artists and their work. In addition, he maintains a blog which highlights all of the past exhibiting artists and features a selection of their work.

Whether you’re from the local neighborhood, or from the other end of the county, it’s worth the trip. Thanks to Robert Genovese, emerging artists, whose work deserves a look, have a legitimate venue for their work in this terrific gallery, where you can also get a great cup of coffee. The hours vary so it’s best to check them online or call ahead.

Local Coffee

107 Watchung Avenue, Montclair www.localcoffeemontclair.com