As the weather warmed up in Hudson County this week, we were busy gathering all the important local news to get you caught up. Among the stories: NJ Transit approved a controversial 15% fare increase; Timothée Chalamet’s A Complete Unknown is filming in Hoboken; and the Jersey City marathon returned today. Keep reading for all the news in Hoboken + Jersey City for the week ending on April 14th, 2024.
Have a news story or press release? Email it to hello@hobokengirl.com.
Among the Headlines (read on for the full stories):
- Hoboken Library BookBike Program Returns
- Buster, The Sweet Pitbull Rescue From Hoboken, Found a Forever Home
- Snap Fitness Opens in Jersey City
- Hoboken McDonald’s Undergoing Renovations; Closes Temporarily
- Jeremy Allen White Cast as Bruce Springsteen in Upcoming Film
- Cafe Tati in Hoboken Closer to Opening
- New Dispensary Coming Soon to Hoboken
- Team Wilderness Cuts Ribbon on Jersey City Location
- Community Rallies Around Busy Bee Organics Co-Owner After Cancer Diagnosis
- NJ Transit Passes 15% Fare Hike; Taking Effect This Summer
Spa Chain Expanding to Uptown Hoboken
Photo Credit: @jdowdxx
The HG Team has confirmed a new spa location at 1201 Hudson Street will be a 4Ever Young medical spa. The anti-aging spa’s menu will include hydrafacials, botox, chemical peels, and more. 4Ever Young in Hoboken will be the chain’s latest addition — with locations currently in Edgewater, Morristown, Livingston, Ridgewood, and Spring Lake, among other locations across the US. A Jersey City location is also forthcoming. Learn more here.
Leo’s Grandevous and Hoboken Community Save the Day for a Hoboken Wedding
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A group effort from the Hoboken community saved the day for a local bride and groom. On Saturday, April 6th, the team at Leo’s Grandevous found that the restaurant had no water because of nearby utility work done by Veolia. Per TapInto Hoboken, the Leo’s team contacted Veolia, neighboring business Losurdo’s, and Hoboken Office of Emergency Management to come up with a solution. Water was routed to Losurdo’s, providing Leo’s team with a water source, and bottled water was delivered for guests. Everything was ready in time for the 3PM ceremony. Congrats to the newlyweds!
PATH Will Invest $430 Million To Solve Delay Issues
On Friday, April 5th the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced PATH Forward: a $430 million upgrade and repair program that officials say will lessen the delays commuters often face. Issues such as track and signal problems, train breakdowns, and damage leftover from Hurricane Sandy will be addressed by this investment. Per a press release, the PATH is aging: the rail system is over 100 years old. over A majority of the work planned for Hoboken Station and Newport and Exchange Place stations in Jersey City will be focused on making repairs to damage caused by flooding during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
Hoboken Library BookBike Program Returns
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Hoboken Public Library’s BookBike made its seasonal return on Thursday at a community welcome-back event. The BookBike is a pop-up library where library cardholders can return books and check out new ones to the cart. The BookBike can be found on Thursdays and Fridays at locations such as Elysian Park, Columbus Park, and Pier C through October. The mobile library will also make appearances at festivals and events throughout the season. Learn more about all the services Hoboken Public Library offers here.
No Foul Play in Pedestrian PATH Train Death, Investigators Say
An investigation into the death of a pedestrian who was struck and killed by a PATH train at Grove Street Station in Jersey City on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024 ruled out foul play, according to a spokesperson for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The investigation is ongoing. Check here for updates.
Buster, The Sweet Pitbull Rescue From Hoboken, Found a Forever Home
After an adventurous few weeks spent in Hoboken, Buster the rescue pitbull has officially found his forever home. The Hoboken community rallied around Buster after he had been abandoned and then found by local resident Hilary Christensen. Buster was adopted less than two weeks after his intake at Wise Animal Rescue. Read the full story here.
Snap Fitness Opens in Jersey City
The wait is over: Snap Fitness officially opened its doors on Monday, April 1st. Located at 139 Brunswick Street in The Village section of Jersey City, Snap Fitness is a 24-hour gym — albeit daily staffed hours vary. Amenities include an infrared sauna, heavy weights, cardio equipment, personal training, and more. Memberships begin at $89 a month. Learn more about this new fitness option for downtown Jersey City residents here.
Hoboken McDonald’s Undergoing Renovations; Closes Temporarily
The only McDonald’s in Hoboken is undergoing renovations and will be closed temporarily. Located at 234 Washington Street, the restaurant plans to reopen on May 3rd. Mobile ordering is also paused. Click here for everything we know.
Jeremy Allen White Cast as Bruce Springsteen in Upcoming Film
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There was chatter last month that Jeremy Allen White was first in line to play Bruce Springsteen in the upcoming biopic, Deliver Me From Nowhere. Now, The Bear star has officially been cast as The Boss. Directed by Scott Cooper, the film will follow Springsteen as he creates his 1982 album, Nebraska. Per Deadline, filming will begin in New Jersey this fall. Get the full scoop here.
Cafe Tati in Hoboken Closer to Opening
The owners of Barbès and La Boheme in Hoboken are close to opening a third restaurant, Cafe Tati. Located in a former computer repair shop at the corners of 4th Street and Bloomfield Street in downtown Hoboken, Cafe Tati will possess a diner-style and similar vibe to Barbès while providing a more express dining experience. Work on the space has progressed greatly. While the team awaits variance approvals from the city, the team plans to provide take-out only upon opening. A grand opening date has yet to be determined. Read our full conversation with Lisa and Omar Balouma, owners of Cafe Tati, here.
Dwight-Englewood School, an Independent Day School for Pre-K-12, Provides Spring Tours
Dwight-Englewood School, a prestigious independent day school for students in preschool through 12th grade, is inviting parents and prospective students to tour its campus this spring. Located at 315 East Palisade Avenue in Englewood, the school’s campus sits upon over 45 acres and affords students plenty of space for outdoor recreation. D-E also boasts state-of-the-art buildings that foster collaborative learning. Learn more about the Dwight-Englewood School here.
Despite ‘FOR RENT’ Signs in Window, Lido Boutique Remains Open, Says Owner
Lido Boutique may have ‘FOR RENT’ signs, but according to the owner, Lexi Pellegrini, the store is still open for business. Customers can visit the shop at its 632 Washington Street location from Wednesdays-Saturday at 11AM-6PM and on Sundays from 12PM-4PM. Stay tuned for updates.
Jersey City Settles With Couple Struck By City Vehicle While in Uber; To Pay $350k
In 2019 a couple in an Uber was struck by a Jersey City Parking Authority vehicle. Now, that same couple is set to receive a $350,000 settlement from the City of Jersey City. According to the couple’s lawyer who spoke to NJ.com, the couple suffered serious and permanent injuries.
Jersey City Marathon Happening Today
Today, April 14th, 2024 runners from all over the tri-state area will flood the streets of Jersey City as the Jersey City Marathon returns. The full marathon and half marathon will kick off from Newport. Along the way, participants will run through Paulus Hook, past Liberty State Park, and loop in Communipaw before crossing the finish line back in Newport. Due to the marathon, there will be many street closures and parking restrictions — more information on that can be found here. Check out our full article for the best places to watch the Jersey City Marathon.
New Dispensary Coming Soon to Hoboken
A new cannabis dispensary is coming to Hoboken: Village Hoboken, owned by Orange native and 16-season NBA veteran Al Harrington, is due to open this summer. Village Hoboken will sell Harrington’s Viola Brands products at Village Hoboken’s 516 Washington Street Location. Learn everything we know about the new dispensary coming to Hoboken here.
Hoboken Okays 382-Unit Mixed-Use Development in Uptown
Uptown Hoboken may look a lot different in two years. On Friday, April 5th, The Hoboken Planning Board unanimously voted to approve a 382-unit mixed-use development at 1500 Clinton Street, the site for a former industrial complex. Per Jersey Digs, the revitalization project will include housing, commercial space, bike lanes, and a pedestrian plaza.
Team Wilderness Cuts Ribbon on Jersey City Location
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Team Wilderness cut the ribbon on their new Jersey City space on Thursday, April 11th. Located at 503 Communipaw Ave, Team Wilderness is a nonprofit organization with outdoor exploration programs for children who reside in urban settings. The Jersey City space will act as a base and also includes a 20-foot rock climbing wall. Learn more about Team Wilderness’ programming here.
NJ Transit Passes 15% Fare Hike; Taking Effect This Summer
On Wednesday, April 10th, the New Jersey Transit Board of Directors unanimously voted to implement a controversial 15% fare increase. The new fares are set to take effect on July 1st, 2024. The board also approved a 3% fare hike annually beginning in 2025. Many Hudson County families and residents rely on public transportation like the Light Rail to get to school and work. Hoboken Mary Ravi Bhalla previously publicly spoke out against the plan to increase fares. Learn more about the fare increases here.
Timothée Chalamet’s A Complete Unknown Filming in Hoboken
After being spotted in Jersey City twice over two weeks, the Wonka and Dune: Part II star has ventured to the Mile Square to continue filming his upcoming movie A Complete Unknown — a Bob Dylan biopic following the singer’s life in the ’60s. The movie was filming at Moran’s this week, as well as at Church Square Park on Friday night. Read the full story here.
Late Jersey City Councilman Honored With Statue
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Jersey City leaders and community members gathered on April 6th to dedicate a statue dedicated to the late Jersey City Ward D Councilman Michael Yun. Councilman Yun died in early 2020 from COVID, according to TapInto Jersey City, and was a Councilman for Ward D from 2013 until his death. The statue is located at 366 Central Avenue in front of the Garden State News store, which he owned.
Seven Hoboken Police Officers Promoted
^ Hoboken Police Promotion Ceremony. Photo Credit: City of Hoboken
Per a press release from the City of Hoboken, seven members of the Hoboken Police Department were promoted during a ceremony at City Hall on April 3rd. Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla, Public Safety Director Ken Ferrante, and Police Chief Steven Aguiar joined the honorees, their families, and their colleagues to celebrate the accomplishments of the seven promoted officers. Sergeants Ed Sellick, Alex Gonzalez, Luke Zeszotarski, and Josh Velez were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Detectives Tyler Soto and Ryan Houghton and Police Officer Michael Straten were promoted to Sergeant.
Hoboken School Calendar Adjusted
Some tweaks have been made to the Hoboken School District’s 2023-2024 calendar. Per Patch Hoboken, to make sure the school year would be the required 180 days long, two half-days at the end of the year will now be full days (June 13th and 14th). A snow day in February impacted the number of required days in the calendar, per Schools Superintendent Christine Johnson.
Ribbon-Cutting at Jersey City’s Tonal Music
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At a ceremony on Monday, April 8th, Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop was joined by teachers and other community leaders for a ribbon-cutting at the new facility for the Tonal Art Music Center. The facility is located at 316 17th Street in Jersey City, at the Cast Iron Lofts building. According to the Jersey City Times, all levels of instruction are available in piano, guitar, strings, brass, woodwinds, drums and percussion, and vocal coaching.
This Hoboken Block is Getting 4 New Businesses
One Hoboken block is about to get a lot busier: four new businesses are set to open on Jackson Street in Hoboken — Body Fit Training, BYRD, Gotan, and Stretch Lab. Founded in Tribeca, Gotan is a cafe that will serve Counter Culture coffee, while BYRD, from the team behind Millburn’s Common Lot, will serve global cuisine and feature an extensive wine list and cocktail menu at its 800 Jackson Street space. Body Fit Training and Stretch Lab, both opening in the 7 Seventy House building, will share a focus on health and wellness — with Body Fit Training offering small instructor-led fitness classes and Stretch Lab providing one-on-one assisted stretches. Find more information on these soon-to-come businesses in Hoboken here.
Vintage On First in Hoboken Opening Second Location in Belmar
Vintage on First at 257 First Street, a Hoboken gem, will soon be in Belmar, too. Owner Mark Rosado is expanding his business to the Jersey Shore. Read more about the store’s history and new location here.
Second Jersey City Homicide Reported
A fatal shooting in Jersey City on Sunday, April 7th marks the city’s second homicide of the year. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office reports that a shooting occurred at Central Avenue and Bowers Street. Police responding to the scene found two victims suffering from gunshot wounds, while another victim self-transported to the hospital. Freddie Posey, 25, of Jersey City, was pronounced dead shortly after 9:30PM.
Paris Baguette Signage Up at Maxwell Place in Hoboken
After years of construction, we now know what will open up at 1000 Maxwell Place in Hoboken. Thanks to a reader tip, HG was able to confirm that popular bakery and cafe Paris Baguette will open later this year. Click here for more.
Founder of Hoboken Lacrosse Club Honored by City
Hoboken resident Sean Sargent was honored by the city for his long-time commitment to youth sports. Sean is the Founder and President of Hoboken Lacrosse Club, a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and instruction of lacrosse to youth athletes in a fun, safe, and sportsmanlike environment. Congratulations, Sean!
Former Jersey City Property Manager Makes Guilty Plea in Conspiracy Case
The former property manager of the Canco Lofts apartment building in Jersey City pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. According to a press release for the US Attorney’s Office from the District of New Jersey, Ranaldo Bennett of Jersey City conspired with two other Canco Lofts employees to defraud the owner of the building by falsifying work orders and receipts from November 2018 to October 2020. The two other co-conspirators have already pled guilty and are also awaiting sentencing.
Montclair-Based Cuban Pete’s Takes Steps Towards Opening in Former Charrito’s Space in Hoboken
Just in time for patio season, a popular Montclair-based restaurant will soon open its doors at 518 Washington Street. Cuban Pete’s is a BYOB Cuban restaurant that has taken the space that was formerly occupied by Mexican spot Charrito’s. Click here for more.
