Two Hoboken firefighters are coming together to re-open an Italian-style cafe in Hoboken. The New Jersey natives are set to take over the Italian eatery and coffee shop, Green Pear Cafe, in Hoboken come 2025. The space at 93 Grand Street had been closed for a short time but will be back open in 2025 with an updated vibe, thanks to two first responders with a passion for good food. Here’s the scoop on how this transfer in ownership came to be, and what to expect in the new cafe.
The Background
Green Pear Cafe started as a family-run restaurant back in 2015. Isabella and Alfredo ran the kitchen while their children helped by waiting tables. The BYOB spot was a Hoboken favorite with its tasty lunch menu and adorable outdoor seating.
Mike Forcum, a Hoboken native, and Dominick Casolaro, a Jersey native, both served as firefighters in Hoboken for over a decade. Throughout their time as firemen, they would grab their coffees at Green Pear on the same day. That’s where they became friendly with owners Isabella and Alfredo, and also realized they both were drinking Green Pear coffee.
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While their careers as firefighters were a priority, Mike and Dominick knew their way around a kitchen. Mike went to culinary school and spent a lot of his time working in delis, including Andrea Salumeria at 247 Central Avenue in Jersey City. Dominick owns several restaurants around New Jersey, including Primavera in West Orange.
They kept in touch with Alfredo over the years. So when Alfredo said he was looking to sell his place, Dominick jumped at the opportunity to take over.
“We didn’t particularly choose the Green Pear — we had a relationship with the previous owners, got to talking with him, and he mentioned that he might be looking to move on from this,” Dominick shared with The Hoboken Girl. “Mike and I used to come in here, and we just thought it was a great opportunity for us, one that doesn’t always come around in Hoboken.”
As it turns out, this is a full-circle moment for the pair of friends. “It’s somewhat fitting because we came in when Alfredo and Isabella opened up, and we loved the place from the beginning and it turns out 10 years later, we’re actually taking it over.”
What’s Next?
While the Green Pear Cafe will have new owners, much of the space will stay the same. For the menu, Dominick tells HG the coffee options will stay the same but they might sell special lattes and other seasonal drinks throughout the year. When it comes to food, he says the breakfast menu will largely remain the same. He plans on adding more breakfast sandwiches — good news for BEC fans — and keeping most of the omelets on the menu.
When it comes to lunchtime, the owners say they want to elevate the menu while focusing on local ingredients. Diners can order the typical Italian deli fare, from chicken cutlet sandwiches, and meatball subs, to soups of the day and pastas to go. Because every meal should include a sweet treat, the duo also plans on selling fresh tiramisu and cheesecake on the dessert menu.
Though some upgrades are imminent, Green Pear’s identity will largely remain the same. “We like the name, and we talked about that [with Alfredo] even before we owned it… I thought it was kinda a good omen to keep it,” Dominick shared. “And it’s nice and cute!” Mike chimed in.
The goal is to open the Green Pear Cafe in January.
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Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla Announces He Will Not Run for Re-Election
After two terms of serving as Hoboken's Mayor since 2017, Ravi Bhalla announced he will not run for re-election for a third term this November. Mayor Bhalla sent out the following statement to Hoboken locals on Friday, January 10th, 2025 to announce the news.
Photo Credit: City of Hoboken
"I write to first and foremost wish you and your family a Happy New Year! 2024 was a year of tremendous progress for Hoboken, which I know we will continue in the New Year.
Serving as your Mayor these past seven years has been and will continue to be the privilege of my lifetime. I am immensely proud of the historic improvements we’ve made together on everything from securing the former Union Dry Dock site for public use, creating a model for pedestrian safety through our Vision Zero campaign, opening what is likely the country’s largest resiliency park at ResilienCity Park, and so much more.
After conversations with my family, I have decided not to run for re-election this November for a third term as Mayor. While I plan to pursue public service through a different path, I wanted to let you know that 2025 will be my last year as Mayor of our great City.
I’m more than confident about the future of Hoboken, and the path our team has paved for whomever is elected as your next leader. Our waterfront is now, once and for all, free from development. We have adopted redevelopment plans that maintain the charm and character of our City, while providing needed revitalization. We’ve preserved over 10 acres of land for public parkland, without sacrificing major concessions. And we have continued a model of transparency for major city projects, that I am fully confident the public will press for going forward.
Fortunately, Hoboken is home to a number of talented public servants and activists, and I have no doubt that the future is bright. I also have full faith that the voters of Hoboken will select a trusted leader to bring our City to even greater heights in the years ahead.
From the bottom of my heart, I want to extend my gratitude for the trust and confidence you have placed in me. It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve as the Mayor of Hoboken, and I'm confident in the coming years, the best is yet to come.
Sincerely,
Ravi Bhalla
Mayor"
Mayor Bhalla also announced the news via Instagram. See the full post below.
View this post on Instagram
Back in December of 2023, Mayor Bhalla announced his run for Congress in New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District in the Democratic Primary. His opponent was Democrat Rob Menendez, son of Senator Bob Menendez. Menedez won the election.
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