Name: Jessica Phelan
Where do you live? Montclair
When did you move there? I moved to Montclair almost 9 years ago. I love Montclair and my location so much that I recently moved to a bigger unit in the building I have lived in for the past 6 years.
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Mendham, NJ. It’s about 45 minutes west of Montclair, and the claim to fame is it’s the town that housed Washington’s headquarters during the Revolutionary War.
How do you make a living? OR What is your everyday passion?
I make a living by working in marketing at Heineken USA. Luckily for me, beer is one of my passions! Outside of my 9-5, I am also extremely passionate about theater and spend a lot of time volunteering in various North Jersey community theaters. In February of this year, I produced a fundraiser production of The Vagina Monologues at Studio Playhouse, benefitting S.O.F.I.A., a local organization doing amazing work. I’ve also been working on Jersey Voices, an annual short play festival featuring new work by New Jersey Playwrights, at Chatham Community Players. This year we will be presenting our pieces virtually at the end of August.
Coffee, tea or … ? Coffee! Iced coffee with cream in the summer, and hazelnut hot coffee in the winter.
What’s your idea of a perfect weekend day? Either sleeping in and going to a late brunch outside with a group of friends, or waking up early to head on a morning hike or down the shore! My ideal weekends are also definitely spring and summer days.
What’s your favorite local restaurant? Kai Yang. Not only my favorite local restaurant, but also my favorite place to get Thai food out of any Thai restaurant I have tried.
What’s on your nightstand? A lamp and a book. Also sometimes a cat, who is busy knocking the book to the floor.
What are you listening to? Now that I am working from home, I listen to E-Street Radio all day. I am a huge Springsteen fan.
What are your current indulgences? Since quarantine started in March, I have been making coffee at home every day. Recently every time I get coffee out, it feels like a treat! I have been really loving Paper Plane Coffee for some of their really interesting lattes.
What talent you would most like to have? I wish I could sing.
What’s the worst-kept (or best-kept!) secret about Montclair? Café seating at Amanti Vino. I love trying a new beer and sitting on the sidewalk watching Montclair go by.
What do you hope they say about you at your funeral? That I had a big heart and truly showed love and compassion to those around me.