Supporting small businesses is second nature to those located in Hoboken and Jersey City. After all, the residents here are surrounded by some of the best that New Jersey has to offer. While small businesses are great for their unique items and services, what makes them even more special are often the people behind them. The team behind local shop Kanibal + Co., located at 197 Montgomery Street in Jersey City and 27 Maple Street in Summit, exemplifies this. There’s a reason why this shop is a perennial winner in The Hoboken Girl’s Best Of contest, and every local’s go-to spot for gifts and goodies. Read on to learn more about Kanibal + Co. and the team behind this special spot in Jersey City.
About Kanibal + Co.
In 2006, founder Kristen Scalia began Kanibal + Co. as an online shop previously known as Kanibal Home. What started as a hub for selling refurbished furniture soon became a Jersey City staple. As Kristen’s love for home decor grew, so did her business. In 2009 Kristen opened Kanibal + Co.’s very first brick-and-mortar location in Jersey City in a small storefront off of Grove Street. Eight years later, in need of more space, the store moved to its current location at 197 Montgomery Street (right across from City Hall). Kanibal + Co. can be thought of as a “creative partnership with the local community.”
Kanibal + Co. has now graced downtown Jersey City for nearly 15 years and flourished within Northern New Jersey. Even through the challenges of the pandemic, Kanibal + Co. was able to bounce back against the odds. In October of 2023, the team opened a second storefront in Downtown Summit located at 27 Maple Street.
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Kristen candidly shares on the Kanibal + Co. website that she has worn many hats over the years (that in our book, make her a super-equipped business owner). She states “My background is varied, and I’ve worn many different hats — morgue assistant, rugby player, ice cream scooper, and snack cake mascot wrangler, to name a few — but nothing has made me as happy as being a small business owner in Jersey City and Summit.”
Besides a passion for home decor, Kanibal + Co. also has a shared passion for the community. The store also has monthly craft classes and events such as candle-making, watercolor workshops, wreath design, yoga, and more. Even better, each class is taught by New Jersey-based artists and 100% percent of the cost goes directly back to the instructor.
To take a peek at Kanibal + Co.’s event calendar for both the Jersey City and Summit locations, click here.
The Merchandise
Kanibal + Co. has a whimsical array of lifestyle goods waiting around every corner. Just when you think you’ve seen the perfect gift, another one jumps out. Besides great gifting items including cards, candles, and other treats, Kanibal + Co. also sells home goods, skincare, apparel, accessories, refurbished vintage furniture, plus antique and custom jewelry much of which is a collaborative effort with local talent.
One of the many things that set Kanibal + Co. apart has to be the specialty “Garden State Gear” made right here in New Jersey. From bags, and apparel, to stickers, keychains, and even mugs, this is the go-to section for Jersey City-themed gifts.
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Visiting Kanibal + Co.
Kanibal + Co. in Jersey City is open Monday through Friday from 11AM-8PM, Saturday from 11AM-7PM, and Sunday from 11AM-5PM. The Summit location is open Monday through Saturday from 10AM-7PM and Sunday from 10AM-5PM.
For online shoppers, Kanibal + Co.’s website is fully stocked with lots of the same merchandise seen in-store.
To stay in the know about Kanibal + Co.’s latest events, updates, and new merchandise drops, be sure to follow along on Instagram.