The Hoboken Girl Team 
Story Dispensary, slated to open in the former Hudson Tavern space, located on the ground floor of the condo building at 51–53 14th Street in Hoboken, has been in development for the past three years. While the dispensary’s plans were initially approved in 2022, the dispensary’s opening has been stalled by a series of lawsuits, and, after three years, an opening date has still not been announced. In recent weeks, Hoboken residents have walked past the soon-to-be dispensary and seen activity going on in the space, including lights on in the building. Locals have asked, and the HG team is here to answer. Read on for more about Story Dispensary and its current status in Hoboken, New Jersey.
The Ongoing Situation
Recreational cannabis was legalized in the Garden State in April 2022. Since then, Hoboken, which allows a maximum of six operating dispensaries within the city at a time, with a maximum of three allowed in each Ward, has welcomed four dispensaries to the area. For the past three years, residents expected Story Dispensary, which the Hoboken City Council first approved in December 2022, to take one of the six slots. (After Hudsonica opened its doors in June 2025, only two businesses are left.)
Read More: A Comprehensive Guide to Cannabis Dispensaries in Hoboken, Jersey City, + Beyond
While Story applied for the necessary permits from the City, it faced opposition throughout the process. Over the course of several public meetings in 2022, totaling more than 25 hours, residents shared extensive testimony both in support of and in opposition to the dispensary.
The Hoboken City Council approved the dispensary’s plan in December 2022, and later that month, the 51-53 Condominium Association, the residents of the condo building where the dispensary will be located, sued Story Dispensary and the Hoboken Planning Board. The lawsuit aimed to invalidate the Planning Board’s approval of the dispensary. This is a separate lawsuit from one filed by the same plaintiffs seeking to stop Story from opening.
Following this, a settlement was reached in this case between 51-53 14th Street Condominium Association, Inc., Story Dispensary, and the Hoboken Planning Board in September 2023. Lee Vartan, attorney for Story Dispensary, shared with The Hoboken Girl in 2023 the following statement:
“The parties have reached an amicable, confidential settlement. The settlement will allow Story of Hoboken to open its doors and begin to serve the Hoboken community in the coming months. The litigation has changed nothing. Story was always committed to bringing the best consumer experience to its customers while being respectful of its uptown Hoboken neighbors and the condominium association. Story looks forward to becoming a part of Hoboken’s vibrant small business community.”
While the terms of the settlement are confidential, the Hoboken Planning Board held a hearing on December 5th, 2023, that addressed some elements of the settlement. The December 5th hearing was a Whispering Woods hearing, where a city can settle a lawsuit related to planning or zoning without a full hearing. Three items from Story’s updated business plan were the subject of the hearing: changing the main entrance and exit door to the dispensary, a change to operating hours, and the presence of armed guards.
In the updated plans, the entrance was moved from 14th Street to Hudson Street, the dispensary’s hours were reduced, and the issue of armed guards on site was resolved. Guards will only be on-site during a “triggering event” and if the Association has approved it. The entrance to the dispensary was moved from 14th Street to Hudson Street to mitigate crowds. Queues outside of dispensaries are prohibited per Hoboken statute.
The Planning Board unanimously approved the changes with the caveat that Story must coordinate with the Hoboken Police Department on its security plan.
Current Status
Following the December 5th hearing, Attorney Lee Vartan told HG:
“Story’s appearance before the Hoboken Planning Board on December 5, where Story’s plans were again unanimously approved, was the last hurdle to the dispensary opening. Over the coming months, Story will complete its buildout while it obtains final approvals from the State. We anticipate a spring opening and look forward to serving our Hoboken neighbors.”
Despite an anticipated spring 2023 opening, Story has yet to debut in the Mile Square, and an opening date is still unknown at this time. Since September 2023, when the settlement was reached between 51-53 14th Street Condominium Association, Inc., Story Dispensary, and the Hoboken Planning Board, the 14th Street space has remained empty.
Representatives from the dispensary tell HG that the work in the retail space is part of normal updates that occur with any new tenant.
What Was in the Space Before?
For the past few years, Story Dispensary has set its sights on the space formerly occupied by Hudson Tavern at 51-53 14th Street in Uptown Hoboken. The 3,000-square-foot space is on the ground floor of a condo building. Hudson Tavern had been in operation in the same space for 36 years and was previously known as Lady Jane’s.
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Hudson Tavern closed in August 2021 and issued the following statement on social media:
“To Our Loyal Customers,
Last Saturday night was Last Call at Hudson Tavern. After 36 years at this location, both at Lady Jane’s and Hudson Tavern, it’s time for me to move on.
I’d like to thank the Managers and Crew throughout the years, especially Jess, Omar, Eddie and those of you who have been so loyal during the pandemic. Together, we have had the the honor of sharing in the lives of our customers and making them feel like this was their place, too.
And to those regular customers, over the decades, I say, Thank You. It has been so gratifying to be that home away from home to several generations in Hoboken. I am touched and proud that for many of you, when you look back on some of your happiest occasions, they have taken place here.
See you around the neighborhood,
Tom.”
See More: 20 Cannabis Dispensaries in Montclair + Essex County
Hudson Tavern was a quintessential part of Hoboken’s bar scene. Famous faces, including then-Vice President Joe Biden and former Giants quarterback Eli Manning, were spotted there. The bar and restaurant were renowned for their innovative American cuisine, weekend brunch, and laid-back atmosphere.
