It’s been another busy week in Hudson County and we’ve got all the Hoboken and Jersey City news headlines you missed. Among the highlights: Hoboken bars can open early for World Cup games; the Jersey City Marathon will return in 2024; and New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver passes away. Read on for all the news from Hoboken and Jersey City for the week ending August 6th, 2023.
It’s Back: The Hoboken Girl’s Business Owners Networking Night at YogaRenew is 8/9
In cities like Hoboken + Jersey City, locally owned, small businesses are the cornerstone of our communities. From coffee shops and restaurants to indie bookstores and boutiques, these businesses color the streets with charm — but none of it would be possible without the imaginative and passionate business owners behind them.
That’s why The Hoboken Girl is partnering with YogaRenew to host a Business Owners Networking Night on August 9th, where Hudson County business owners can meet like-minded entrepreneurs and make some new friends. We’ve done this before, and it’s lots of fun!
The event will take place Wednesday, August 9th from 6PM – 8PM at YogaRenew’s downtown space at 12 Hudson Place in Hoboken, with all proceeds of registration going to Wise Animal Rescue. Read on for more about the event and how to register.
New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver Passes Away
View this post on Instagram
New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver passed away at age 71 on Tuesday, August 1st. Per NJ.com, she was briefly hospitalized after a long illness. Lt. Gov. Oliver was a lifelong public servant, beginning her career on the East Orange Board of Education in 1994.
Jersey City Cannabis Dispensary ‘Downtown Flwr’ Now Open
Even though the retail sale of cannabis became legal in New Jersey in early 2022, dispensaries are just now beginning to open throughout the state. The second dispensary to open in Jersey City is Downtown Flwr, located at 141 Newark Avenue. Read on to learn more about the store and the team behind it.
Italian Lingerie Store Coming to Washington Street
View this post on Instagram
Hoboken has had an influx of both local spots and chain stores opening up throughout the City, and now, there will be yet another store to check out in the Mile Square soon. Intimissimi, an Italian clothing brand that sells lingerie, underwear, sleepwear, and more, has put up signage in the former Same Day Health location at 321 Washington Street. Read on for what we know about Intimissimi coming to Hoboken.
Alessio’s Announces Soft Opening of New Location in The Heights
Back in April, local fave Alessio’s took to Instagram to share an uncharacteristically cryptic (and exciting) message. The post read “Coming Soon,” with a caption instructing locals to “start spreading the news.” Well, here we are, spreading the news: Alessio’s is making its way to The Heights, and will be soft opening up its second location this Friday, August 4th. The soft opening will continue through Sunday, August 6th from 8AM-3PM with a limited menu available. While Alessio’s is still hoping to keep some details under wraps, the team confirmed with The Hoboken Girl that the second outpost will offer up the same coffee, pizza, and gelato (as well as other fan-favored treats) that Hobokenites know and love. Read on to learn more about Alessio’s second location coming to Jersey City Heights.
Kindle Charter School to Debut in Jersey City This Fall
Per the Jersey City Times, a new charter school will open at the beginning of this school year. Kindle Charter School will open at 373 Communipaw Avenue. Initially, the school will only have 6th grade but plans to add a grade each year until it will reach its goal of serving grades 6 through 12.
The Jersey City Marathon Returns for 2024; Registration Open Now
View this post on Instagram
This year, Jersey City added another title to its multi-hyphenate resume: the site of a USA Track and Field-sanctioned marathon and half marathon event. The first-ever Jersey City Marathon race took place April 23rd — and now, after its “major success,” the event is returning for the foreseeable future, landing on the second Sunday of April each year (the third Sunday if there are conflicts with Easter). Registration for the 2024 race, which falls on Sunday, April 14th, is open now. Read on for what we know about the 2024 Jersey City Marathon + Half Marathon Event and find out how to register.
10th Annual Peach Pie Contest at Riverview Farmer’s Market in Jersey City
View this post on Instagram
Bakers will showcase the summer’s best peach pie at a contest on Sunday, August 6th at the Riverview Farmer’s Market in Jersey City. Per NJ.com, the annual contest is celebrating its 10th year. Only amateur bakers are permitted to compete, and they may submit a pie or cobbler. More rules and information are available here.
New Garbage Containerization Rules in Hoboken
In advance of a new ordinance requiring changes to garbage containerization, the City of Hoboken has shared an FAQ to help residents prepare. Via a Nixle alert, the City shared details about what types of trash cans would be acceptable. Fines for noncompliance would be $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second, and $1,000 for the third. The ordinance was passed at a special City Council meeting on Thursday, August 3rd, according to the Hudson County View.
Hudson County Teens Perform at Paper Mill Playhouse
View this post on Instagram
Six Hudson County teens are participating in a prestigious summer program at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ. Per Patch, the 2023 New Voices program culminated in performances at the end of the summer of an originally written and produced show called We Will Rock You. The teens representing Hudson County are Sophia Donath, Jersey City; Arianna Guerreiro, Kearny; Eva Zazzali, Secaucus; Natalia Artigas, Hoboken; Sienna Mello, Hoboken; and Avery Ramsey, Hoboken.
Retro Fitness in Hoboken Has Closed; Fitness Factory to Open in Its Place
A Hoboken gym has shuttered its doors and another fitness chain is opening in its place on Washington Street. Retro Fitness — a popular gym for Mile Square residents — is now closed, and Fitness Factory will take over the space at 130 Washington Street. Read on for what we know.
Madison Pizza Lab is Closing; New Bakeshop to Take Over Its Hoboken Space
View this post on Instagram
Boomerang Bites, a Jersey City bakery specializing in Australian recipes, has been in Hoboken for quite some time — with its pastries sold out of local coffee shops like bwè kafe. Now, the sweet shop is becoming a full-time Hoboken resident, moving from its Jersey City Heights location to take over the Madison Pizza Lab space at 152 Newark Street. At this time, it’s unclear when Madison Pizza Lab will be officially closing its doors — but sources close to the pizzeria confirmed it is closing. Boomerang Bites is aiming for a September opening and is doing so with a larger selection of Aussie bakery products. Read on for what we know about Madison Pizza Lab’s Closure and Boomerang Bites’ arrival at 152 Newark Street in Hoboken.
Bomb Threat at Jersey City Drag Queen Story Hour
View this post on Instagram
According to the Hudson County View, a Jersey City drag queen story hour was interrupted by a bomb threat that was later discovered to be false. The July 29th event featured performer Harmonica Sunbeam and was hosted by the Canco Park Conservancy. The park had to be evacuated while police investigated, and the event finally got underway after almost two hours.
Virtual Town Hall for Hoboken Resiliency Park at 800 Monroe
The City of Hoboken announced via a Nixle alert that registration is now open for residents to participate in a virtual town hall meeting on August 9th at 6PM. During the meeting, the project team will present two designs for the resiliency park that will be built at 800 Monroe Street. Click here to register.
Harborside Lot in Jersey City Sold, Will Become Residential Tower
Per Jersey Digs, a large parcel in Jersey City was sold by Veris Residential for $58 million to the Related Companies. The lot is known as Harborside 4 and is an entire block long. While an office building was slated to be built on the site, the new owners plan to build a residential tower.
Officer-Involved Shooting in Weehawken Under Investigation
An officer-involved shooting took place in Weehawken and is now under investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Shooting Response Team. Per the Hudson County View, two officers were patrolling a neighborhood that has been experiencing a high frequency of auto thefts. An officer was struck while approaching a suspicious car, prompting the second officer to discharge his weapon at the suspect. Neither the injured officer nor the suspect had life-threatening injuries, and both received treatment at local hospitals.
Jersey City Basketball Star Takes the Court Again
A Jersey City basketball phenom will take the court again this fall after rehabbing a potentially career-ending 2019 knee injury. Per NJ.com, Breyanna Frazier will play this fall at Jacksonville University as a graduate transfer student. Breyanna was a standout player at the now-closed Marist High School in Bayonne.
Green Light for Hoboken Bars to Open at 5AM for World Cup Games
The Hoboken Alcoholic Beverage Control board voted to allow bars to open at 5AM for World Cup Games. Per NJ.com, there is a caveat, which is that the game must start before 8AM for a bar to be able to open at 5AM. Bars must also apply for the early opening, and the application is now available online.
Toast x Bowl Opens in Hoboken on August 5th
In 1999, Trattoria Saporito (later Cucina Saporito) opened its doors on 328 Washington Street — and for the 22 years that followed, this unassuming Italian restaurant became a fixture in The Mile Square, dubbed by many locals as Hoboken’s best-kept secret. This past January, however, the long-standing bistro closed its doors for good, citing the pandemic and financial struggles as reasons for closure. In Cucina Saporito’s place comes Toast x Bowl, a new business serving up healthy bowls + sandwiches — and it’s set to soft open on Saturday, August 5th at 12PM. Read on to learn more about Cucina Saporito’s closing and Toast x Bowl, the new business taking over the 328 Washington Street space in Hoboken.
Historic Jersey City Firehouse to be Renovated
The historic Jersey City firehouse located at 244 Bay Street could take on a second life. But what that is is the subject of a request for proposals from the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency, according to Jersey Digs. The three-story building is vacant and in need of repairs. The request for proposals calls for, among other things, a plan that would maintain as much of the building’s historical details as possible.
Hoboken’s South Lions Dim Sum & Tea to Open Jersey City Location
View this post on Instagram
Per Jersey Digs, one of Hoboken’s favorite Chinese restaurants will soon be opening a second location in Jersey City. South Lions Dim Sum, located at 512 Washington Street in Hoboken, will open its doors at 105 Greene Street in Jersey City later this fall. South Lions is known for its dim sum meals and bubble tea.
New Restaurant, Maddy Rose, Debuts in Jersey City
Photo Credit: Zach Perl
Maddy Rose, a coastal-inspired restaurant with Mediterranean influences, has taken over the space of the former Liberty House restaurant, according to a press release from the company. The venue has been updated to reflect the new vibe, which is meant to transport guests to the Mediterranean. The menu has also been updated in keeping with the theme, featuring steak, seafood and more. Craft cocktails like the Mistral and the Meltemi use fresh flavors including lemon and apricot for a new take.
Maddy Rose is located at 76 Audrey Zapp Drive in Jersey City, and is open Wednesday–Sunday from 12PM-3PM for lunch (brunch menu available on Saturday & Sunday), Wednesday–Thursday from 5PM-10PM, Friday–Saturday from 5PM–11PM and Sunday from 5PM–9PM for dinner. Reservations can be made by visiting the Maddy Rose website or OpenTable.
