Happy Sunday, Hudson County. We hope you’ve got a mid-morning mimosa or another brunchy kind of drink in hand because there’s a lot to catch up on this week. It might feel impossible to keep up with all these storefront changes but Hoboken Girl has all the latest updates on what’s coming and what’s going, so you don’t have to go looking for them. Keep reading to find out 25 news stories you missed in Hoboken + Jersey City this week.
Mayor Bhalla Launches Adopt-a-Pet Waste Station Program
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla is determined to cut back on the City’s level of pet waste. The latest initiative with this goal is an “adopt-a-pet waste program,” which includes stations with a starter supply of pet waste bags. The poo-poo bags are free of charge for interested property owners or condominium associations who order the station and pledge to maintain and refill it with bags.
“My administration is committed to clean streets and sidewalks,” Bhalla said in a statement. “I encourage property owners across Hoboken to help play a role and adopt free pet waste stations, which have been successful in reducing pet waste in other regions.”
Property owners can apply for a pet waste station by filling out a request form online. The form will be evaluated by the Department of Environmental Services. If the application is accepted, the City will purchase and install the starter station, which will include one pet waste bag dispenser, signage, and a starter supply of bags within one block of the property.
Find more info and apply for an adopt-a-pet waste station here.
Fiscal Femme Founder Parodies “7 Rings” for the Financially Savvy
Hoboken local and founder of Fiscal Femme {and former Hoboken Girl of the Week} Ashley Feinstein Gerstley made a money-savvy parody of Ariana Grande’s hit song “7 Rings.” Ashley — who is a frequent guest contributor of Hoboken Girl — used the hip-hop tune as the inspiration of a financially savvy project that spoke to women’s wealth goals.
“Instead of glorifying acquisition culture, we made our version all about the badassness of being financially savvy,” Ashley says in an email.
New Jersey Officials Running Annual UASI Must Exercise
From May 13th to the May 16th, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness {NJOHSP}, the New Jersey State Police, and the Jersey City/Newark Urban Areas Security Initiative {UASI} will be running annual drills on the municipal, county, and state levels.
This is an opportunity to see our firefighters in action, working collaboratively with our PD and FD task force partners in simulated disaster scenarios. Participants will witness various types of technical rescue, rope rescue, extrication, and confined space rescue, as well as emergency responses to terrorist and mass casualty simulated incidents. The drills focus on intelligence, information sharing, search and rescue, and hazmat and decontamination exercises. These drills will also focus on SWAT, bomb, hospital and public health responses to various scenarios as well.
You can check out the drills on May 14th from 6:30PM-7:30PM at the Newark Special Operations Training Center at 191 Center Street in Newark.
Arts and Music Festival Moved to May 19th
The 25th annual Spring Arts and Music Festival has been moved to Sunday, May 19th. Last week, the festival was rained out. Rescheduled to the 19th from 11:00AM-6:00PM, festival-goers can expect to see musical performers {including featured artist Buster Poindexter}, artists, vendors, and of course, lots of food.
The festival spans down Washington Street between Observer Highway and 7th. There will be more than 300 artists and vendors present and tons of activities for kids on 3rd Street. Rides, games, crafts, face-painting, and even sand art will be available for children of all ages! Here’s to hoping the weather holds out — again.
Car Crash on Plank Road Leaves One Dead, One in Critical Condition
A nurse was pronounced dead at the scene of a head-on collision at Plank Road in Jersey City on May 6th. Two others involved in the crash were hospitalized, one of which is still in critical condition.
The fatal accident occurred at 7:14AM last Sunday on Paterson Plank Road, the site of many other accidents. In fact, three other people have died of accidents in that same spot in the last six years.
Adriana Riano, 32, a North Bergen nurse, was pronounced dead at 3:15PM. A passenger in the other car was treated for minor injuries, while the driver Jonathon Ortiz-Guananga, 26, of Union City, is in critical condition at RWJBarbnabas Health’s Jersey City Medical Center.
Looks Like Sunnyside Cafe + Eatery Is for Rent
Things are looking pretty grim for Sunnyside Cafe + Eatery. Located at 79 Hudson Street, Hoboken Girl reported in April that Sunnyside had temporarily shut down, an eviction notice posted on its door. Locks went on the doors on April 23rd and have been on since. The latest update doesn’t look so promising, as a “For Rent” sign has officially gone up in the storefront window.
In April, Sunnyside owner Jeremy Mo confirmed the eviction to HG, but maintained optimism about the cafe’s likelihood of re-opening.
“We’ll definitely be closed for a few weeks at minimum,” Mo shared. “We may do a pop-up inside of Gogi Grill, so stay tuned for that.”
Hoboken Resident Named in Voter Fraud Scheme Pleads Guilty
Mile Square was rocked when news broke that a voter bribery scheme had played out in two separate city elections from 2013 to 2015. Now, Hoboken resident Matthew Caliccio, 28, has admitted to promoting the bribery scheme and has pleaded guilty.
On May 7th, Calicchio pled guilty in front of U.S. District Court Judge William J. Martini in Newark federal court. He admitted to using the mail system as a way to promote voter bribery in two municipal elections in Hoboken. Calicchio is one of five people named in the scheme, including Frank Raia, who at the time was an at-large council candidate.
“The cash for votes scheme as outlined by the U.S. Attorney’s office is an unfortunate reminder that corruption and dark special interests still play an outsized role in our municipal elections,” Bhalla said. “It’s shameful that candidates for public office have been accused of bribing voters, and if true, they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I commend all law enforcement personnel for their continued efforts at holding corrupt candidates and elected officials in Hoboken accountable for any and all crimes that were committed.”
It’s NJ law that registered voters must cast a ballot by snail mail, legislation that Calicchio and others took advantage of. On several occasions, members involved in the voter bribery scheme went to voters’ residences, instructed the voters to vote for a rent control referendum that Raia supported, and promised to pay the voters $50 on behalf of Raia.
Under New Jersey law, registered voters are permitted to cast a ballot by mail. They must complete and submit to their county clerk’s office an Application for Vote by Mail Ballot. The clerk’s office processes the application and sends the applicant a mail-in ballot.
Calicchio and others involved mailed the ballots to the Hudson County Clerk’s Office and after the elections, those voters received $50 checks.
Homeware Shop Wild Coming to Old Aaraa Location
A new shop called Wild Homewares is coming to the old Aaraa location at 408 6th Street in Hoboken. According to their website and Instagram account, Wild is a homewares shop that draws inspiration from the beach, architecture, and wildflowers. Their website is currently blank — just a cheery, millennial pink “coming soon!” — but More info as updates come.
Get a Look at the New Shipping Container Village on MLK
{Photo credit: @briandavidplatt}
Jersey City Business Administrator and Chief Operating Officer Brian David Platt recently offered residents a sneak-peek of Jersey City’s latest project. Platt uploaded a photo of an under-construction shipping container village being built on MLK.
“Sneak peak of the shipping container village being built on MLK across from the new City office buildings,” Platt wrote. “We are taking a vacant city-owned property and using old shipping containers to create 4 new storefronts that will become free small business incubator space for Jackson Hill small businesses. Partnership with @jacksonhillmainst @risingtideorgand Councilman @jrobinson_jcwardf to better support our local small business community.”
Black Rail Coffee Announces New Ownership
After five years of serving Hoboken, the owners of Black Rail Coffee have announced their decision to leave. In a statement on Instagram, the owners wrote, “Thank you, Hoboken, for an incredible five years. James and I {Daisy}, have loved every minute of getting to know and growing with the community.”
While James and Daisy have made the difficult decision to step away from Black Rail Coffee, lovers of the small, endearing coffee shop will be happy to know that it’s not shutting down. Black Rail is simply under new ownership.
They continued in the IG caption, “We cannot thank our customers enough for your constant support and encouragement. But the time has come for us to share the Black Rail love. The next time you come in, please introduce yourselves to the new owners of Black Rail Coffee, Jin and HeeBeen.”
Privé Gastrobar Is Still Closed
As of April 30th, it appears Privé is closed. Owners of the urban gastrobar have told Hoboken Girl that the closing is temporary, but it has not opened in four weeks. Additional details are at a minimum. We reported on the Jackson Street bar early last April, which briefly took over the old Taphaus location at MetroStop.
Vegan Spot Rosita Yah’s Coming Soon to Jersey City
{Photo credit: Facebook}
Coming soon to 203 Academy Street near both Journal Square and McGinley is Rosita’s Yah, a new vegan restaurant that offers plant-based breakfast and lunch options. The cafe and smoothie bar is the brainchild of Rosa L. Montesquieu, co-owner of the Manhattan plant-based eatery Terri.
As of right now, it looks like Rosa is planning for a grand opening in June. Hours will be as follows: 6:00AM-6:00PM.
Police Chief Shares Yearly Crime Stats for Mile Square
Police Chief Ken Ferrante recently took to Twitter to share the year-to-date crime states for Hoboken. Good news — Mile Square’s crime stats are down in several categories.
“After 4 months, we have had only 26 burglaries in @CityofHoboken,” Ferrante wrote, “down from the 44 in the same period in 2018, meaning burglaries are DOWN 40.9%!!!”
Ferrante added, “@HobokenPD is down in 10 categories, even in 3, up in NONE!”
Jersey Mike’s to Open in Next Month
After Fran’s Italian Deli unexpectedly closed last June, it was announced that Jersey Mike’s Subs would be taking over the location at 202 Hudson Street. Now, sources tell Hoboken Girl we’re weeks away from JM’s grand opening. The American sandwich chain is expected to open within the next month. We’ll keep you posted on updates.
The Jersey Mike’s franchise has nearly 1,300 locations throughout the United States, with 70 more in the works.
Police Find $500K Worth of Marijuana in Illegal Pop-Up Shop
Jersey City police found $500K in illegal marijuana after raiding a black market marijuana pop-up in McGinley Square on April 25. Among the seized paraphernalia and drugs were 35 pounds of marijuana flower, a handgun, and 421 of pre-rolled joints and weed cigarettes, 532 edibles, and 863 containers of vape oils. The pop-up was discovered in a vacant mechanical garage. Thirteen people were arrested in conjunction with the raid.
“Running a large-scale black market operation like this creates an attractive nuisance drawing potential violence and robberies,” city spokeswoman Kimberly Scalcione said.
City of Hoboken Hosting Free Rabies Vaccination for Dogs and Cats
The City of Hoboken is hosting its annual free rabies vaccination clinic for dogs and cats. Held at the Multi-Service Center at 124 Grand Street, all Hoboken residents are welcome. Dogs must be securely fastened with both collar and leash; dog owners must also bring their 2019 Hoboken dog license. If you do not yet have a license for your dog, you can obtain one on site. Cats must either be on a leash or in a carrier. All pets must be accompanied by an adult who is able to help them onto the examining tray.
A veterinarian from the Animal Infirmary of Hoboken will be administering the vaccines. License fees are as such:
- Spayed/neutered 1-year license: $12
- Spayed/neutered 3-year license $30
- Non-spayed/neutered 1 year-license: $16
- Non-spayed/neutered 3-year license: $40
Proof of residency is required. The vaccination clinic will be held on Saturday, May 18th from 10:30AM-1:30PM. For more information, visit here.
Hoboken’s First CBD Store Is Coming to Old Re-Juice-a-Nation Spot
Hemp Garden CBD will be the first official CBD store in Hoboken. The spot is taking over the former location of Re-Juice-a-Nation, which closed last December. Located right across from the PATH train at 64 Newark Street in Downtown Hoboken., Hemp Garden CBD markets itself online as New York City’s finest official CBD store. They have locations in the West Village, Lower East Side, Williamsburg, Nolita, and the Meatpacking District. Online, they sell pre-rolled hemp joints, lotion blends, vape cartridges, edibles, tinctures, and more.
Hemp Garden CBD is hiring, according to the sign in their storefront, so if you’re interested in applying, call 315-400-3444.
Englewood Man Arrested After Bar Fight at Texas Arizona
An Englewood man was arrested in Hoboken after he got in a fight with another patron at Texas Arizona, then attempted to get back in the bar once thrown out. The man allegedly acted “combative” toward officers trying to de-escalate the situation.
The Hoboken Police Department responded to a report of a fight at Texas Arizona at 1:33AM last Sunday. When they arrived, Griffin Dorf, 23, of Englewood was bleeding from a head injury. Witnesses told officers that Dorf fell to the ground after trying to fight another man in the bar. After getting up, Dorf allegedly tried to re-enter the bar but staff denied him access.
Police described Dorf as “very uncooperative” and “combative.” He was charged with aggravated assault and possession of CDS.
Mayor Bhalla Wants to Hold Public Town Hall, Urges NY Waterway to Be Transparent
Mayor Bhalla is offering to host a public town hall event for NY Waterway. The Hoboken Mayor is urging NY Waterway to be transparent with Mile Square in the wake of a months-long tiff over the future of Hoboken’s Union Dry Dock.
Bhalla invited the CEO of NY Waterway, Arthur Imperatore, chairman Armand Pohan, and other company officials to discuss the proposed ferry fueling station in an open, public environment on May 9th.
“In the interests of transparency, I am willing to host a town hall meeting in Hoboken for New York Waterway, where you can present your renderings and plans to the public so residents are given an opportunity to offer you feedback,” Bhalla wrote in a letter. “My office would be glad to assist and offer a third party to moderate the forum.” It appears that NY Wat
Man Breaks into Cop Car, Says He Was Searching for Sunglasses
Well, this is the most “Florida” thing that’s ever happened in Mile Square. A 25-year-old Jersey City man, Bair Chimittsyrenov, was charged with burglary and theft after an officer caught him fishing around inside of a marked cruiser. Last Tuesday, Sgt. Nicholas Burke parked his cruiser near Fifth Street and Grand. Burke says he locked the car, but left the window cracked open.
When Burke returned, he found Chimittsyrenov inside of the cruiser, going through the glove compartment. When confronted, Chimittsyrenov claimed he was looking for his sunglasses. He was issued a summons but ultimately released.
The Lutze in Jersey City Reopens Next Week
Jersey City’s The Lutze officially reopens next week on Thursday, May 16th. The outdoor space will open for guests at 4:00PM and will begin the first of a series of Summer Tap Takeovers from Brooklyn Brewery. The Lutze can be found at 3 2nd Street, Jersey City on the waterfront.
Local Man Stole $750K From Bar Investors
A Hoboken resident, Nirav Patel, raised $750K from other investors under the premise that he would invest and open a beer distribution space in the Mile Square called World of Beer Hoboken, according to the Hudson Daily Voice. Instead, Patel took the money to spend on himself, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced on Thursday.
If found guilty, Patel will have to pay a fine of $150,000 and a jail sentence for up to 10 years, as per the Hudson Daily Voice.
470 Jersey City Teachers Laid Off This Week
This week, 470 Jersey City teachers, 75 administrators, and 500 non-instructional staff were given notice for being laid off, confirmed by the union president. With 30,000 students currently within the school district, the layoffs have happened at an inopportune time and are likely the first of more, NJ.com reported.
Body Balance Reopens on Newark Street
{Photo credit: @boodybalancehoboken}
Body Balance is back and it’s located at 36-42 Newark Street. The store originally closed due to a fire, but has reopened until renovations are complete at the above location in Suite 203. Opening times will vary, but the shop will be open seven days a week.
Shake Shack Might be Coming to Hoboken
Word on the street {and some local sources} is that Shake Shack is coming to Hoboken soon. The lease for 107 Washington is apparently to be signed in the next few weeks. The burger joint is known for its delicious burgers, vegetarian options {like the shroomburger}, and savory cheese fries. Find out more about this potential venture in Hoboken here.
Lululemon is Opening in Hoboken
{Photo credit: @lululemon}
In news from earlier this week, Lululemon will be opening in Hoboken. The Canadian athletic wear shop will be opening its doors at 313 Washington Street, right across the street from Athleta and down the block from the upcoming Shake Shack. Read more here about this store coming to the Mile Square.
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