Hey there, Hoboken and Jersey City! Happy Hannukah to all who celebrate and for those waiting for Christmas festivities to began, can you believe it’s only two Sundays away? With the holidays in full swing, there has been so much going on. Yesterday, the Budweiser Clydesdales came to town, dropping off cases of beer in commemoration of the repeal of Prohibition. Did you catch the Clydesdales as they galloped down Washington Street? There have been many Santa appearances since the first day of December and if you haven’t caught up with Old Saint Nick yet, check out this guide to NJ Santas across the northern part of our state. For more holiday-related happy hours and events going on, check out this week’s events guide.
And that’s not all. With Hoboken municipal parking garages upping prices, a grilled cheese shop opening up in the Newport Mall, and a random fire breaking out in an apartment building, there is so much to catch up on. Missed these recent news headlines? There’s more below!
One Injured as Fire Breaks Out in Hoboken High-Rise
{Photo credit: Instagram}
A fire broke out in a Hoboken high-rise last Wednesday. While it’s not yet clear what caused the apartment building to ignite into flames, no one was in the apartments at the time. Two nearby residents complained, however, of smoke inhalation and police reported that at least one was injured. The fire broke out at 2 Marine View Plaza. Two apartments were reportedly damaged severely. The W Hotel in Hoboken is reportedly offering shelter to anyone displaced as a result of the fire. More to come as the story unfolds.
Hoboken Raises Monthly Parking Garage Rates
{Photo courtesy of Jessica Halpern}
The monthly rates of municipal parking garages in Hoboken is apparently going up. Thanks to a Hoboken Girl reader who shared a photo of the rate update, it looks like the monthly rates for January 2019 will increase by $50 and $30 respectively. It appears that the City of Hoboken’s official website has not yet been updated with this information. More as the story develops.
Melt Shop Officially Open in Newport Mall
{Photo credit: Instagram}
The Melt Shop has officially opened its second New Jersey location. Located in the Newport Mall, the sandwich shop — known for its signature melts, cheesy tots, and grilled cheeses — is now open Monday-Friday from 10 am to 9:30pm, Saturday 10am to 10pm, and Sunday 10am to 9pm. The first NJ Melt Shop opened in Rockaway back in November and CEO Spencer Rubin said in a press release that he’s looking to open at least one more NJ location sometime in 2019.
Stroller Thief Apprehended in Hoboken
{Photo credit: Pexels}
Hoboken can sleep soundly tonight knowing the local stroller thief has been apprehended by authorities. A 40-year-old New Jersey woman was arrested last week in conjunction with the disappearance of five different strollers, bounty that totals up to $3,000. Jacquelin Dunleavy of Hoboken was charged with burglary and theft. Dunleavy is accused of stealing strollers since November 3. Police charged Dunleavy with the stroller thefts after a traffic stop confirmed her vehicle was connected to the thefts. She has since been released with a court date.
Uni K Wax Opens Sister Studio in Jersey City
{Photo credit: Instagram}
Need a wax? Already on Washington Street in Hoboken, Uni K Wax Studio has opened a second location. The new studio, located at 160 Morgan Street in Jersey City, is offering new customers a complimentary first waxing service in celebration of its grand opening. Ladies can choose from the following options for their complimentary service: bikini line, underarm, or upper lip waxing. Gentlemen can choose from shoulders, commando line, nostrils, or 10% off most services. The JC location’s hours are Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 9:30am to 7pm, and Sunday 10am to 7pm.
Missing Hoboken Teen Found and Reunited With Family
A 15-year-old Hoboken teenager was reported missing earlier this month. In the days since Aldric Roberson disappeared, he has since been found and reunited with his family. Roberson was reported missing by family members on Tuesday, November 20. According to the Hoboken Police Department, Roberson had last spoken to his father on Sunday, November 18. Roberson had been missing a week before returning to his family.
Mile Square Theatre Moves Production to Off-Broadway
The Mile Square Theatre is moving its hit world premiere production of The Net Will Appear to the Off-Broadway venue 59E59 Theatre in co-production with The Collective NY. The production explores the unlikely friendship between 9-year-old Rory and her 70-something-year-old neighbor Bernard, played by actor Richard Masur.
MST Artistic Director Chris O’Connor says of the show, “Our production last year of The Net Will Appear was by far our most successful show ever. People came back to see this wonderful play 2 and 3 times! We are thrilled to move the show to an Off-Broadway venue and to bring it to a New York audience. The play depicts a unique friendship; two characters, wildly different, find each other from atop their suburban rooftops and forge a beautiful friendship. We are also thrilled that Richard Masur is returning to play the role of Bernard opposite two talented young actresses; Dasha Dakkuri and alternate Eve Johnson. Audiences are in for a real treat.”
Schnackenberg’s Welcomes Alfalfa Pop-Up Shop, Nightly
{Photo credit: Facebook}
Calling all salad-lovers! Alfalfa set up shop {pop-up shop, that is} at Schnackenberg’s at 1110 Washington Street. The soft opening of the Alfalfa salad pop-up took place on December 3. But if you missed it, never fear. Word on the street is Alfalfa will be back, making Schnack’s its permanent stop during the nights. Alfalfa takes over Schnack’s every night, Monday-Friday from 6:30pm to 9pm.
Turquoise Cup Is Moving to Jersey City
The Turquoise Cup is on the move. The pottery-place-slash-coffee-shop on 6th Street in Hoboken was recently gutted. When HobokenGirl reached out to the owners to inquire about the future of the space, we learned that TC is moving to Jersey City. The art-infused shop has always been a place where kids can come to take a class and work on fun DIY projects. No word yet on the new JC space but we will add more information as it comes.
World Trade Center PATH Will Close on Weekends for 2 Years
Train service from Hoboken to the World Trade Center PATH station will see important changes in the new year. Starting January 5, 2019, the PATH’s World Trade Center Station will close every weekend, excluding major holidays. The weekend closings will last two years, until December 20, 2020. The closures have been ordered so equipment damaged from Superstorm Sandy can be replaced. As of January 5, the WTC will close at 12:01am Saturdays, and reopen 5am on Monday mornings.
For more information on the PATH service changes to World Trade Center, check out the PATH’s official statement and schedule here.
Jersey City Names 24-Year-Old Slam Poet as Poet Laureate
Meet Rashad Wright, a 24-year-old Slam Poet champion and the first poet laureate Jersey City has named in the past 14 years. Wright, a recent graduate of New Jersey City University, has been performing spoken-word poetry for six years.
“I didn’t know that I was in the city’s eye or taken seriously,” Wright said after learning the news. The poet laureate position is a two-year erm and a $3,000 annual stipend. Additionally, Wright was given studio space at Mana Contemporary. The last Jersey City poet laureate was Aaron B. Jackson back in 2004. Wright has performed poems like “Monsters” and “Ode to Basketball.”
Fight Over Union Dry Dock Continues… On Twitter
I just received notice @USACE_NY granted @ridetheferry a permit to move their ferry maintenance/refueling depot to UDD site. I am incredibly disappointed but for me, this fight is far from over. I am redoubling my efforts to ensure that this property will not be a refueling depot pic.twitter.com/Zo4H8YLfAk
— Ravinder S. Bhalla (@RaviBhalla) December 6, 2018
Mayor Bhalla is not going down without a fight… or at least, putting in his two cents on Twitter. Last Thursday, Bhalla revealed to his Twitter followers that a permit was issued to Ride the Ferry. “I just received notice @USACE_NY granted @ridetheferry a permit to move their ferry maintenance/refueling depot to UDD site,” Bhalla tweeted.
It’s true that the NY Waterway has granted a federal permit to move a ferry maintenance station to Hoboken. But that doesn’t mean Mayor Bhalla is ready to back down.
“I am incredibly disappointed but for me, this fight is far from over. I am redoubling my efforts to ensure that this property will not be a refueling depot,” Bhalla added.
It looks like the next move is in Governor Murphy’s court. “Before NY Waterway is given permission by @GovMurphy & his administration to ravage our waterfront & environment, I invite the Gov & @NJTRANSIT to view this video & visit the site w/ me so they can see the detrimental impact this will have on families & children of our community,” Bhalla urged Murphy.
Where do you stand on the Union Dry Dock dilemma? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Hoboken SantaCon to Go Down on December 15
Another December, another SantaCon. Hoboken’s SantaCon is set to kick off on Friday, December 15, but there are have been toher Santa-friendly events happening throughout the state of New Jersey, too. Asbury Park’ SantaCon went down yesterday, December 8, for the seventh year in a row. Princeton, NJ also celebrated SantaCon yesterday, as well as New York City and Philadelphia joining in on the SantaCon fun.
Seaside Heights is also hosting a SantaCon event on December 15. Participants are asked to contribute to non-profits by bringing at least two non-perishable items or an unwrapped toy for charity.
Last year during Hoboken SantaCon, police chief Ken Ferrante celebrated by live tweeting the tickets aggregated throughout the day. A total of 17 people were arrested during 2017 SantaCon in Hoboken with charges ranging from public drinking, moving violations, aggravated assault, resisting arrest, drug possession, simple assault, and “sexual contact.” Ferrante reported via Twitter that roughly 55 intoxicated people were taken to the hospital for detoxification in 2017.
Hoboken City Council Enacts “Placeholder Legislation” in Anticipation of Marijuana Legalization
And now for your weekly update re: the marijuana decriminalization debacle in New Jersey. The City Council of Hoboken is expected to consider “placeholder legislation” in anticipation of forthcoming recreational marijuana legalization. The thought is to get ahead of the game, so to speak. If in fact, recreational marijuana does become legalized in NJ, Hoboken does not want to fall behind in establishing official policy on legal marijuana. The placeholder legislation seeks to temporarily prohibit recreational dispensaries from popping up in town until official policy is established.
The proposed ordinance dictates that only three marijuana stores would be allowed in the city of Hoboken. The next scheduled session in which both state Senate and Assembly will vote is Sunday, December 17.
In the meantime, the cannabis derivative CBD is completely legal and is thought to help with ailments like anxiety, stress, depression, and even migraines. Check out our complete guide to CBD in Hoboken here.
Center for Transitional Orthodontic Research Celebrates
Grand Opening in Hoboken
{Photo courtesy of CTOR}
The Center for Transitional Orthodontic Research celebrated the grand opening of the CTOR Academy in Hoboken on Wednesday, December 5. Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro and Councilwoman Emily Jabbour were in attendance. CTOR is the only center in the world dedicated to Translational Research in Orthodontics.
Founded a decade ago as a center for scientists and clinicians to drive innovation in Craniofacial Orthopedics and Orthodontics, CTOR offers specialty training to dentists through its education branch, only the second Orthodontics Specialty Program in New Jersey.
“From our founding by the Stevens family to hosting the largest tech meetup in the state, Hoboken has a proud history of innovation and technology, and we continue to build upon that legacy with businesses like CTOR that are pushing the boundaries of science,” Mayor Bhalla said in a statement. “People from across the country travel to CTOR’s clinic in Hoboken to receive life-changing treatments made possible by their groundbreaking discoveries. It is an honor to celebrate their growth as they open only the second orthodontics specialty program in New Jersey where they will train the scientists of tomorrow.”
New Mixed Use Building Approved at Jackson Street
{Image rendering courtesy of Nastasi Architects}
Jackson Street might be getting a new 43-unit mixed-use building. The project, set to take place at 401 Jackson Street in Hoboken, was recently approved by the city’s zoning board. The development will bring a “large retail space” to the location, most likely a restaurant.
The space in question focuses on the seven lots between 401 and 411 Jackson Street, which have been occupied by the Big Banner Plaza for years now. Big Banner consisted of a supermarket, liquor store, and restaurant but has since closed to prepare for the upcoming development. It is now a vacant property.
The ground floor of the new-and-improved 401 Jackson will have 3,620 square feet of dry flood-proofed retail space. Designed for restaurant use, the retail space will also feature a kitchen area and exhaust system. With large glass components in teh design and a 1,900 square-foot lobby, the space will even feature a backyard green space.
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