Erin Lanahan 
After serving the Jersey City community for nearly ten years, the owners of Frankie announced the restaurant and bar downtown will close for good in March of 2026. The funky restaurant had a menu full of Australian flavors, natural wines, refreshing cocktails, and groovy vinyl nights. In a social media post, the owners say a Hamilton Park favorite, Cheech’s Bagels, will be taking over the space at 264 Grove Street. Here’s what we know about the Frankie closure in Jersey City + the plans Cheech’s Bagels has for the space.
Goodbye Frankie
Frankie opened at 264 Grove Street in Jersey City in 2017. The Australian bar and restaurant crafted a menu of natural wines, cocktails, vegan and vegetarian eats. The owners, duo Rowen McDermott and Rebecca Johnson, built the space around their love of travel, coastal destinations, and Rowen’s hometown of Sydney, Australia.
The name is a nod to their dog, Frankie, who they say was a tiny chihuahua with a big personality.
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In a post on Instagram, the owners say they decided it’s time to move on from Jersey City.
“We feel incredibly lucky for all the memories made within these walls; dancing till dawn, cheeky drink + draws, family diners, buzzing tables, big milestones, and quiet celebrations. We are proud to have stood together with the community in both bright and dark times, and thank you for making us a part of your lives,” they wrote on Instagram. “We are most grateful for the lifelong friendships formed here and for the extraordinary crew who gave this place its soul. It has truly been an honor to be your local!”
View this post on Instagram
Frankie will remain open until Sunday, March 15th. The Instagram post teases a possible party announcement coming for the weekend of March 13th.
“We’re going out with a bang and hope you’ll come celebrate with us,” they wrote. “This isn’t goodbye, just see you later. Find us across the river at Moonflower and Binx.”
The duo will continue to run their other wine bars in Manhattan. Moonflower at 201 West 11th Street serves natural wines and small bites. Binx at 39 Christopher Street also serves natural wines with a dinner and brunch menu.
Passing The Torch To Cheech’s Bagels
In the same Instagram post, the owners of Frankie say, “Frankie was named after our tiny chihuahua, who had a giant spirit and meant the world to us. As it happens, the incoming team’s current local spot is also named after their own beloved late chihuahua. The new local fav, Cheech’s in Hamilton Park.”
The Hoboken Girl asked Cheech’s Bagels if they could share plans for what the new space will look like, and while they couldn’t share too many details, they said they’re excited to expand to Grove Street.
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Cheech’s Bagels opened at 176 Erie Street in Jersey City in May of 2025. John Ballan and Gianluca Fernicola have been lifelong friends since high school and Jersey City residents for seven years. They saw the need for a go-to bagel spot in the neighborhood and created Cheech’s together. The Hamilton Park bagel spot is named after John’s loyal sidekick, Cheech, a tiny Chihuahua with a big personality. The menu features a wide selection of bagels, coffee, and breakfast, with the choice of specialty sandwiches, spreads, add-ons, and vegan options.
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