The snow flurries we had this week were an excellent excuse to enjoy a warm seasonal drink or turn up the holiday tunes a little louder. It’s been another busy week in Hudson County and we’ve got all the headlines to get you caught up. Among the highlights: Hoboken announces winning design for 800 Monroe Street Resiliency Park; the Jersey City Council votes against a resolution regarding the conflict in Gaza; and several local businesses are on the move. Read on for all the news from Hoboken and Jersey City for the week ending December 10th, 2023.
The Hoboken Girl Donates $1000 to Two Local Non-Profits Thanks to Readers
Two local non-profits each received $500 donations on behalf of The Hoboken Girl team thanks to two readers. Readers participated in a contest on social media where they were entered to win prizes and donations to their favorite local non-profits. The two winners chose See Spot Rescue, an animal rescue organization, and the Hoboken Shelter to receive the donations. Thank you to all readers who participated and to the local non-profits that make Hoboken a special place.
Paul Presinzano Wins Ward 1 Runoff Election in Hoboken
While most of the candidates for the 2023 Hoboken City Council race knew the outcomes shortly after voting closed on November 7th, candidates from Ward 1 had to wait until after a runoff vote on December 5th to find out the winner. According to New Jersey election laws, to be declared a winner, a candidate must obtain a plurality of the votes. Since none of the three candidates achieved that number, a runoff election was held. Around 9PM on December 5th, Paul Presinzano was announced as the winner of the runoff election over Rafi Cordova. Read on to learn more about the runoff election that happened in Hoboken + more about both candidates.
New York Giants QB Tommy DeVito Makes Hoboken Appearance
View this post on Instagram
Over a bye weekend on December 2nd and 3rd, NY Giants quarterback and North Jersey native Tommy DeVito made an appearance at Hoboken’s Wicked Wolf. According to TapInto, he is a native of Cedar Grove, NJ, and a graduate of Don Bosco Prep School. On Saturday night, December 2nd, he and teammates Cor’Dale Flott and Jashaun Corbin hung out with other bar-goers, taking pictures and enjoying the crowd.
Just BeClaws in Jersey City is Closing
View this post on Instagram
Located at 280 1st Street in Jersey City, Just BeClaws may not look like much from the outside, but one foot in the door and you are immediately met with the heavenly smells of fresh fish and mouthwatering, buttery goodness. Opened in 2015 by brothers Francis and Nambinh Tran, the restaurant, which is decorated with plastic chairs and tables, nautical sailor ropes, and giant industrial sinks, this place describes its menu as “Vietnamese Cajun Seafood.” We just found out that this beloved JC seafood spot will be closing its doors on December 23rd — but there are still a few more weeks to try out this spot if you haven’t already. Read on for what we know about the closure and what we will miss about Just BeClaws in Jersey City.
Jersey City Public Safety Leaders Want More Officers
Jersey City leaders have announced plans to hire more police officers, according to remarks made during a 2024 budget hearing. Per NJ.com, Jersey City has 887 officers, down from 924 at this time last year. Public Safety Director Jim Shea and Police Director Tawana Moody said they wanted to add at least 100 more officers, as retirements and recruiting challenges have impacted the force’s ranks.
La Brujeria Moving to New Location in Jersey City
View this post on Instagram
Changes are coming to one of Jersey City’s best-loved spots for late-night food. La Brujeria, located at 590 Grand Street, will close its downtown location in January and move to a new space in Jersey City, just a half-mile away. The Hoboken Girl has exclusive details on what’s next for this Mexican take-out spot. Read on for what we know about La Brujeria’s next steps in Jersey City.
Hudson County Receives Grant to Make Bike Lanes
View this post on Instagram
Hudson County is one of 14 recipients of NJ Bikeways Grants, which will be used to improve bike safety in the community. According to a press release, Hudson County received a $914,000 grant to add bike lanes along Duncan Avenue. bike lanes will be constructed on Duncan Avenue from Route 1&9 west to the Hackensack River, according to NJ.com.
City Bagel Has Closed, ‘Bread Stone Cafe’ to Open in Its Place
View this post on Instagram
A fairly new bagel shop in Jersey City, City Bagel + Deli, has closed and a new restaurant will be moving into the space at 301 Grove Street. Per a Reddit thread, farm-to-table restaurant Bread Stone Cafe will be taking over in the coming weeks. The spot was originally slated to become the new Broa location before City Bagel took over. Read on for what we know about Bread Stone Cafe coming to downtown Jersey City.
New Hoboken Yogurt Shop ‘Hey Yogurt’ Opening in March 2024
View this post on Instagram
Say “hey” to Hey Yogurt, the newest dessert shop making its way to Hoboken. With its first location in Fort Lee, Hey Yogurt is a “health-conscious,” Japanese-inspired dessert shop with various drinkable yogurts and other sweets (think: Japanese-style cheesecakes, creampuffs). The Hoboken storefront is slated to open in March of 2024 at 90 Hudson Street, right near the Hoboken terminal. Keep reading for what we know about Hey Yogurt, the new dessert shop coming to Hoboken next year.
Former Jersey City Corporation Counsel Dies
View this post on Instagram
According to the Hudson County View, the former corporation counsel for Jersey City has passed away at age 44 after suffering a heart attack. Jeremy Farrell served as Jersey City’s corporation counsel from 2013-2017, then worked with the city’s municipal utilities authority for 2018, before joining LeFrak in 2019. He was LeFrak’s special counsel and senior managing director of government and community affairs.
New Spot Called Wing Bar is Open in Jersey City’s McGinley Square
Wing Bar has officially taken over Taco Bar in Jersey City’s McGinley Square. Located at 684 Bergen Avenue, Wing Bar has quickly become the go-to place to satisfy late-night cravings. The staple chicken wings are made to order and the dipping sauces are freshly housemade. Wing Bar is more than just a place to grab a bite — it also has a full bar with plenty of bar seating. And, there is even entertainment throughout the week. Read on to learn more about Wing Bar Jersey City.
Hudson County Legends Gala to Honor Four
View this post on Instagram
The Hudson County Legends Gala will take place on Thursday, December 14th. According to NJ.com, this year’s honorees are Angelo J. Genova, chairman of Genova Burns LLC; Karina Jimenez-Belen, marketing and sponsorship manager of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey; Alfa Demmellash, CEO of Rising Tide Capital; and Richard Dwyer, senior public affairs manager of PSE&G. The event will take place at Envue Autograph Collection Hotel is located at 550 Avenue at Port Imperial, Weehawken. Tickets are available through the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce website.
Jersey City Council Defeats Resolution on Conflict in Gaza
The same week that Jersey City observed the four-year anniversary of a religiously motivated hate crime in Greenville, the City also reckoned with the reality of the current global conflict between Israel and Hamas. Councilman Yousef Saleh, Ward D, introduced a resolution that would support a cease-fire in the region. The Jersey City Council held a special meeting on Wednesday, December 6th to vote on the resolution. Read on to learn more about the resolution and the outcome of the vote.
New Rules for Union City Parks Under Scrutiny
Legislation passed in Union City is now being challenged by the ACLU, claiming it limits self-expression. Per NJ.com, the city council approved new rules for public parks that prohibit, among other things, scooters, picnics, ‘inappropriate clothing’, any food or drink, and tables and chairs. While the rules were meant to reduce community disturbances, but critics say that it goes too far.
Work to Begin on Jersey City Waterfront Project
Photo Creidt: ImageFiction
Via a press release, Tishman Speyer announced that construction is set to begin on 55 Hudson Street, the first of a two-tower development that will bring new rental apartments, public open spaces and amenity retail to Jersey City’s waterfront. Tishman Speyer, which secured approvals for the development from the Jersey City Planning Board in late 2022, closed this week on a $300 million construction loan from Otera Capital. With full financing now secured, Tishman Speyer expects to start construction on 55 Hudson early this month with completion anticipated in early 2027.
Good Boys + Girls Welcome: Carepoint Health Launches Therapy Dog Program
View this post on Instagram
Via a press release, CarePoint Health announced a collaboration with The Good Dog Foundation, a renowned organization dedicated to utilizing the incredible bond between humans and dogs to alleviate suffering and enhance learning through Animal Assisted Intervention. This partnership will introduce a four-week Therapy Dog Certification Program at Hoboken University Medical Center, where individuals interested in participating are welcome to apply to join this transformative initiative.
Reader Submissions Welcome to The Hoboken Girl’s Event Calendar
HG readers can now add their own events to our community calendar. Using this link, readers can use the form to submit event information and images that will populate our site.
Two-Tower Residential Plans Approved in Paulus Hook
The Jersey City Council has approved plans to build two apartment towers with a school on the ground floor in the Paulus Hook neighborhood. According to Jersey Digs, local developer Silverman will lead the project, which has been in the works for nearly ten years. While 397 residential units are anticipated, 15% of those will be set aside for low- to moderate-income families. The ground-floor educational space will be for the Church of Our Lady of Czestochowa.
City of Hoboken Shares Health + Safety Tips for the Holiday Season
The holiday season has arrived here in Hoboken. Many are already making holiday plans — from booking that last-minute trip to see a loved one or making a reservation at a local restaurant. It is the most wonderful time of the year but to ensure it continues to be a festive time for all it’s important to keep some tips in mind. The Hoboken Public Safety Department has released some advice and tips relating to the upcoming holiday festivities. Read on to learn more about how to have a safe holiday season in Hoboken with health and safety tips.
Salad House Opens in Secaucus
View this post on Instagram
The Salad House, a New Jersey-based salad chain, has opened a Secaucus location in Harmon Meadows. Per Patch, the Salad House serves made-to-order salads, wraps, grain bowls, and smoothies. The Secaucus location at 700 Plaza Avenue joins other North Jersey locations including Englewood, Hackensack, and Rutherford.
Jersey City Council Approves Settlement in Federal Discrimination Case
The Jersey City Council approved three settlements recently, including one payout of $175,000 to a deaf Jersey City man who filed a federal discrimination suit against the city, according to NJ.com. Ryan Cuevas got a parking ticket from the city, but the city delayed for months in getting a sign language interpreter for the court hearing. A federal judge found that the city had discriminated against him.
New Payment System for PATH Launches Pilot Program
A new tap-and-go payment system was launched in some PATH stations this week. According to NJ.com, the TAPP, or Total Access PATH Payment debuted at the 33rd Street Station in Manhattan and the Journal Square Station in Jersey City. Using the system, riders can use chip-equipped cards to pay for their fares. Eventually, the system will be available in all stations after being phased in over 18 months.
Jersey City Distillery Corgi Spirits is Closing at the End of 2023
Located at 1 Distillery Drive in the Bergen-Lafayette area of Jersey City, Corgi Spirits is the first (and only) distillery to come to Chilltown. Since it first opened in 2017, customers have enjoyed good cocktails in a chill atmosphere. To the disappointment of many residents, this Jersey City staple will be closing its doors on December 30th, 2023. Read on for more details about Corgi Spirits’ closure and what we will miss about this Bergen-Lafayette spot.
Jersey City’s Iron Monkey to Close
Iconic Jersey City bar the Iron Monkey has announced its closure. The bar, located at 99 Greene Street in the Exchange Place neighborhood of Jersey City, is known for its extensive beer list, rooftop bar, and weekend brunch. Read on to learn more about Iron Monkey in Jersey City and what we know about its closure.
City of Hoboken Earns Sustainable Jersey Silver Certification
^ Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla was awarded the Mayor Art Ondish award for being a leader of a model Sustainable Jersey town + providing the Green Team with ideas, policy support, + resources to achieve sustainability at a local level, contributing to a statewide movement + accepted the Sustainable Jersey Silver Certification on behalf of the City of Hoboken on November 14th. Photo credit: City of Hoboken
Via a press release, Hoboken today announced it has earned silver-level certification from Sustainable Jersey for the fourth year, meeting rigorous requirements to achieve the prestigious allocation for its sustainability initiatives and policies. While there are 466 Sustainable Jersey registered municipalities, only 70 municipalities across the state, including Hoboken, achieved the advanced silver certification. Certified towns were announced at the Sustainable Jersey Annual Luncheon on November 14th, 2023, in Atlantic City at the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Conference.
Jersey City’s Kennedy Dancers Announce Holiday Showcase
The Kennedy Dancers, a non-profit Jersey City-based dance troupe, has announced its holiday showcase to take place December 17th and 18th, 2023. According to NJ.com, the performance will feature a variety of dance styles and will celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, and other winter holidays. Tickets are available online now.
Jersey City Resident, Howard Stern Co-Star, Passes Away
View this post on Instagram
A long-time Jersey City resident who was a co-star on the Howard Stern show passed away this week, according to NJ.com. Ralph Cirella, 58, was a native New Jerseyian and passed away after battling lymphoma. He started as Stern’s stylist and later became a co-host.
Hoboken Holiday Banding Set for December 10th
A quintessential part of a Hoboken holiday is the Hoboken Holiday Banding, which will take place on Sunday, December 10th at Willie McBride’s, located at 616 Grand Street. According to the event website, the performances will start at 4:30PM. Local musicians and groups will perform throughout the evening, and all funds raised will support Hoboken Cultural Affairs programming.
Stabbing at Newport Centre Mall Parking Garage
A man was stabbed in the parking garage of the Newport Centre shopping mall on Tuesday, December 5th. According to NJ.com, the victim approached his car to find a group of teens throwing trash and other items at his car. When he confronted them, he was stabbed in the torso, receiving non-life-threatening injuries.
Final Concept Design for Hoboken’s 800 Monroe Street Resiliency Park
^ The 800 Monroe Resiliency Park concept features dog runs, open lawn space, tennis courts, fitness equipment, and more. Photo credit: City of Hoboken.
Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla and the City of Hoboken announced via a press release the final draft concept design for the City’s fourth resiliency park at 800 Monroe Street. The draft concept includes dog runs, passive lawn space, native gardens, a pedestrian plaza, tennis courts, a water spray feature, fitness equipment, and a protected bike lane as part of the City’s green circuit, as well as above and below ground infrastructure capable of detaining up to 430,000 gallons of stormwater to mitigate area flooding.
Guilty Verdict in 2021 Jersey City Shooting
A Newark man was convicted by a Hudson County jury earlier this week for his role in a March 2021 shooting in Jersey City that killed one, per the Hudson County View. Jalen Culver, 22, was found guilty of manslaughter, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon and will be sentenced in January 2024. The shooting occurred on March 21st, 2021 at Martin Luther King Drive and Woodlawn Avenue in Jersey City. Responding officers found the victim, 17-year-old Zaimeir Bell, suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper body.
Lemongrass Closes in Hoboken, Pho Restaurant Incoming
Lemongrass, a Vietnamese restaurant located at 732 Washington Street in Hoboken, has closed, according to Patch. The restaurant opened in Summer 2023. A restaurant called Pho Express will open in the space in early 2024.
Tamborim Bar + Grill in Jersey City Closed for Rebranding, Changes Coming Next Year
There’s a colorful, vibrant, and delicious restaurant on Newark Avenue in Jersey City called Tamborim Bar + Grill. Located just steps from the Grove Street PATH Station, this Brazilian restaurant opened in 2020 by Jersey City restaurateur Michael Casalinho. Michael is also the owner of the former Broa in downtown Jersey City, as well as Eira Mercearia. Located at 130 Newark Avenue, Tamborim is the only Brazilian restaurant in JC and is worth the visit for its unique food and bold flavors — but we recently discovered this restaurant is temporarily closed for a rebrand and looks to open back up in the new year. Read on for what we know and for an inside look into Tamborim Bar + Grill in Jersey City.
MTA Approves NY Congestion Pricing Plan, Public Comment Period Opens
The Metropolitan Transit Authority has approved New York’s congestion pricing plan after a vote at a board meeting on Wednesday, December 6th. According to the New Jersey Monitor, the vote now opens a 60-day public comment period. While the policy is set to take effect in Spring 2024, a federal lawsuit filed by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is likely to delay that.
