Hey, Hoboken and Jersey City! We hope you’ve had a peaceful and happy holiday week full of good food, loved ones, and gratitude. While it may have been a slow week at work, there was still a ton that went on in our two New Jersey Cities. First off, Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla provided residents with an update on the Union Dry Dock situation. Secondly, filming took place in Jersey City again for the high-profile movie The Joker. Not to mention, a local bakery took home a national award for its baguette recipe! Keep reading to find out which headlines you missed in Hoboken and Jersey City this past week!
The Brookyn Bagelry is Coming to Hoboken
The old site of Boardwalk Fries is officially getting a new business in its space: The Brooklyn Bagelry is opening in Hoboken, according to Jersey Digs, in late 2018. The business, to be located at 832 Washington, will serve freshly baked bagels “every hour,” according to its website, as well as salads, wraps, and other grab-and-go. The Brooklyn-based family shop has expanded from its original location to several locations in New Jersey — including Aberdeen and now Hoboken. More to come on this new spot!
Hoboken Vets Coming to Maxwell Lane
{Photo courtesy of Lara Cohn}
The old Toni & Guy hair salon looks like it’s being transformed into another veterinary clinic. New signage at 1125 Maxwell Lane in Hoboken reads, “Hoboken Vets: Animal Clinic.” The new vet clinic’s website is currently under construction, but suggests the clinic will be open early 2019. For more information, you can email info@hobokenvets.com.
Newport Skating Rink Officially Open for the Season
Newport Skates is Jersey City’s only outdoor ice skating rink and it’s officially open for the 2018-2019 season. Located at 95 River Drive South, skaters will have the perfect view of the New York City skyline while zooming around in time to holiday music. Admission costs $8 and skate rental is $7. (Note: Newport residents receive half-price admissions as long as they bring their Residential ID cards.) Season passes and group rates are also available; Newport Skate offers private lessons, party packages, and can also be rented for private events.
The rink is open every day, Monday through Friday from 4 to 9PM, Saturdays from 11AM to 9PM, and Sundays from 11AM to 7PM.
Mayor Bhalla Gives Hoboken Union Dry Dock Update
Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla is remaining steadfast in his efforts to protect Hoboken’s Union Dry Dock from becoming a ferry refueling station. In an email newsletter the Hoboken Mayor wrote, “As you know, protecting the waterfront Union Dry Dock property from becoming a ferry refueling station continues to be a major priority. It is my strong preference for this to be turned into a public park, a plan that has sadly been met with opposition from the State, NJ Transit, and NY Waterways.”
The Mayor continued, “Last week my administration released a study confirming a better alternative for New York Waterway’s refueling station is Lackawanna Terminal in South Hoboken where there is already a transit hub, a conclusion reached by NJ Transit themselves back in 2009. To me, this compromise makes perfect sense and supports our ferry system and mass transit infrastructure without sacrificing the well-being of Hoboken residents.”
Bhalla ended the email newsletter by imploring Governor Murphy and the State to “consider this proposal, which would prevent the refueling station from being placed in a residential neighborhood.”
City of Hoboken Partnering With Community Compost Company
The City of Hoboken is working to bring to fruition another environmental initiative. By partnering with the Community Compost Company, Hoboken will now offer free weekly curbside pickup of food scraps for local businesses and schools. Additionally, residents can drop off food scraps and compostable materials at a compost drop-off site: Public Works Garage at 256 Observer Highway on Saturdays from 9 am to 12 pm and Mondays from 8 am to 12 pm. Residents will also have the option to sign up with Community Composting Group to have food scraps picked up from their door; this service will, however, require a fee.
Hoboken’s Office of Constituent Services Open Now
The City of Hoboken’s new Office of Constituent Services is now open to the public. The purpose of the Office is to provide constituent services to residents in Hoboken. Headed by Hoboken native Caroline Caulfield, residents can reach the office at (201)420-2000, EXT 1311 or by email at ccaulfield@hobokennj.gov.
Hudson County Posts Video From Community Forum on Recreational Marijuana
https://www.facebook.com/hudsoncountyview/videos/1956731014628794/
ICYMI, Hudson County hosted a community forum last week on the topic of recreational marijuana. For anyone who could not attend the community forum, the Hudson County Facebook page posted a recap video online. Watch the recap above and for a feedback and insight from community members who attended the forum, check out the subsequent reddit thread here.
Loew’s Jersey City Theater Transformed to ‘Monarch’ Theater for ‘Joker’ Movie
Hoboken Girl reported earlier this year that the upcoming Joker movie filmed scenes in Jersey City. Now, it appears the Joker is coming back to film more scenes, this time outside the Loew’s Jersey City Theater. The exterior of the theater has been transformed into ‘Monarch Theater.’ In the Batman universe, Monarch Theater is where Batman’s parents (AKA Bruce Wayne) were mugged and then later, murdered.
Back in October, the Jersey City courthouse and its surrounding street served as a setting for some of the film’s scenes. The particular scene shot outside the courthouse may take place during the 1970s as prop police cruisers with similar styles to the Plymouth Belvedere Pursuit, a cop car popular during the decade.
Choc O Pain French Bakery Takes Top National Prize for Baguette
Hoboken and Jersey City’s very own Choc o Pain French Bakery & Cafe have won an award for their outstanding baguettes. The first-ever Tiptree World Bread Awards with Food, which is supported by the American Bakers Association, took place on Wednesday, November 14 and awarded prizes in several different categories. Choc o Pain took home the first place prize in the Baguette Category and bakery owner Clemence Danko accepted the award. Danko said, “We are incredibly honored to have been chosen as the best baguette for this bread competition. It is overwhelming to be recognized among our peers, and I must say I’m so proud of my team for their hard work, their amazing skills, and their infallible dedication! This prize belongs to them!”
Lincoln Tunnel Crash Delays Traffic Days Before Thanksgiving
Days before Thanksgiving, a car crash in the Lincoln Tunnel left residual traffic to spill over into Hoboken. According to Port Authority of NY and NJ alerts, the accident caused delays up to 30 minutes during the morning rush hour. Bus service at Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City affected commuters headed both ways.
Chamber of Commerce Hosts Council Meeting to Oppose Employer Payroll Tax
Last Wednesday night, the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce held the second reading of an employer payroll tax ordinance at City Hall. The ordinance proposes an employer payroll tax of 1% on every employer and defines “an employer” as “any individual, entity, corporation, company, association, society, firm, partnership, limited liability, corporation or partnership, join stock company, trust, estate, or foundation that has one or more employees and has a payroll in excess of $2500 in any calendar quarter. The Chamber has actively opposed the payroll tax since its inception.
Mayor Bhalla Hosts Expungement Clinic
On Tuesday, November 20th, Mayor Bhalla hosted an expungement clinic in conjunction with Hoboken’s Chief Public Defender Katey Theurer, and Chief of Constituent Affairs Caroline Caulfield. The clinic took place from 6 to 8 pm in the Community Room at 221 Jackson Street.
The goal of the clinic was to educate people on expungement by walking them through the process. City representatives were there to answer any questions about new expungement rules as they pertain to individuals eligible for expungement.
Two Companies Sue Hoboken in an Attempt to Break Hilton Deal
The Hilton Hotel in Hoboken might not be a sure thing. On November 15, two landowners near the approved site — Hoboken Land Building LP and Hoboken Holdings LP — filed a lawsuit against the city, Mayor Bhalla, City Council, and KMS Development Partners.
The complaint filed takes issues with the givebacks promised by KMS in exchange for the Hilton Hotel site. (KMS has promised to donate $2 million to renovate the Hoboken Community Center at the former YMCA property, $1 million to improve infrastructure along 1st Street, $165,000 for infrastructure improvements in adjacent neighborhoods, $1 million to Hoboken Public Education Foundation, $484,000 to Hoboken Public Charter Schools, and $200,000 for Hoboken’s Affordable Housing Trust.)
The seven-count lawsuit argues the giveback payments as “unrelated to legitimate land use concerns.” It continued that the givebacks “constitute a blatant quid pro quo for the Cit’s acquiescence to the Redevelopment Agreement.”
The approved Hilton Hotel is planned to make its home at 1st Street and Sinatra Drive and will include 349 rooms and 20 stories.
“The Mayor has publicly stated that he would not have agreed to the Redevelopment Agreement but for the Giveback Payments,” the complaint explains. The complaint continues, citing the givebacks as “promoting favoritism, cronyism, lack of accountability, lack of diversity, and is otherwise unlawful.”
Hoboken Planning to Limit Marijuana Industry Before Drug Is Legalized State-Wide
State lawmakers are set to vote on making recreational marijuana legal before the year is up. This leaves smaller municipalities like Hoboken to consider ways to handle the adjustment.
Mayor Bhalla has already introduced an ordinance that limits the amount of cannabis shops to three throughout the city. In addition to controlling the amount of marijuana shops, Bhalla is also looking to control the store’s locations. Bhalla would prefer to confine shops to strictly commercial areas. Shops would also be required to pay an annual $15,000 to grow and sell.
Jersey City has already decriminalized marijuana, while Union City has banned it. The City of Hoboken is currently brainstorming ways to control the demand for recreational marijuana, should it pass. With New York City just a train ride away, City officials understand legalizing recreational marijuana will likely increase the amount of people visiting Hoboken.
Shaka Bowls Introduces New Biodegradable Bowls
{Photo courtesy of Shaka Bowl}
Shaka Bowl — located at 720 Monroe Street and 110 Washington Street — is introducing new and improved ways to experience their acai and poke bowls to go. After endless feedback from customers in search of a more eco-friendly option, Shaka has announced 100% biodegradable bowls.
“Over the last 6 months or so we’ve undergone a tremendous amount of change,” Shaka wrote in an email blast. “From opening a second location at 110 Washington Street, to changing how we present our to-go bowls, to changing the structure of our menu — we understand we’ve definitely thrown you for a loop, but we’re here to make up for it. “WE’VE HEARD YOU LOUD & CLEAR: We have gotten RID of our current TO-GO containers!”
Instead of Shaka’s current to-go containers, the acai and poke bowl shop will now be offering to-go containers that are 100% biodegradable. Which means? They can be composted! {See above Community Composting Company blurb.}
Hoboken Girl’s Holiday Market Is on December 17
Hoboken Girl’s Holiday Market is quickly approaching! This year, the event takes place on Monday, December 17 from 6 to 10pm at 92 River Street. Tickets are on sale now for just $10. You can grab your tix here! Hoboken Girl is donating a portion of each entry ticket sold to the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Core, an amazing organization that provides emergency care to Hoboken free of charge to residents. Check out a full list of all the participating vendors here and don’t forget — Jenn from Neurotic Mommy is hosting!
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