The Hoboken Girl Team 
The holiday season is in full swing. It has been another week of news in Hudson County, and we’ve got all the headlines to get you caught up, as we do every week, from all around the internet. Among the local news: Hoboken Police Department hosts its annual toy drive; the New Jersey Devils visit Jersey City Medical Center to spread holiday cheer; and the founder of a Hoboken nonprofit receives an award from The Courage Project. Keep reading for all the news in Hoboken + Jersey City for the week ending on December 14th, 2025.
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Among the Headlines (read on for the full stories + more):
- Jersey City’s Bodega Cards is Moving to Hoboken
- Brazilian Steakhouse to Open in Jersey City Heights
- Seafood Restaurant, The Boil, Closes in Jersey City
- Hybrid Coffee to Open New Location in Jersey City Heights
- Founder of Hoboken Nonprofit Receives Award from The Courage Project
- Olaide’s Kitchen to Open Second New Jersey Location in Jersey City
- Varsity Pilates to Open in Jersey City Heights
- Hoboken Police Department Hosts Annual Toy Drive
- Jolie Femme Nails Opens in Hoboken
- New Jersey Devils Visit Jersey City Medical Center
- Hoboken Musician Releases Debut Album
Jersey City’s Bodega Cards is Moving to Hoboken
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Jersey City’s beloved trading card shop, Bodega Cards, is making the move to Hoboken this January. Owner Pete Keeling has spent the past few years building more than just a business at Bodega Cards, located at 3563 John F. Kennedy Boulevard in the Jersey City Heights. He’s created a community hub where kids crack packs after school, collectors trade rare finds, and everyone from WWE wrestlers to local families gathers for events. Now, with a new location at 119 Monroe Street, Pete is bringing that same energy to Hoboken. Click here for more.
Hoboken Celebrates First-Ever Holiday Night Out
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Holiday magic continues to flow on the streets of Hoboken this season with a special one-night event of shopping, dining, and fun. The Hoboken Business Alliance hosted its first-ever Holiday Night Out on Washington Street on December 13th. There was live music, kids’ activities, and free workshops for the more grown-up elves. Plenty of Hoboken businesses participated in this festive event. Click here for more.
Àbákẹ́ Books + Cafe Posts Signage in Jersey City Heights
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Àbákẹ́ Books + Cafe recently posted signage in Jersey City Heights advertising the soon to come bookstore and coffee shop. Owned by Jersey City local Jacquees Thomas, also known as Peace, the space will be a “one-of-a-kind fusion of literary passion and distinctive coffee flavors,” per its website. Peace is a writer and host of the podcast BLK LIT, a black literature podcast. The space will also function as an event venue for other purposes such as podcast recordings and film shoots. The shop highlights literary works from authors from various countries within the African diaspora and coffee brews from Tanzania and Rwanda. There is no opening date listed yet for the shop, but the store has a presence online and at local pop-ups in storefronts such as Rudo Plants & Home. Click here for more.
How Hoboken Cafes Will be Impacted by Matcha Shortage
Matcha has skyrocketed in the past year or so as the most popular drink on cafe menus. The green lattes that are all over your social media feed actually have roots in ancient Japanese history, but may soon vanish. Since the tea has a reputation for less jitters, more antioxidants, and other health benefits than traditional caffeine sources, it has seen an unprecedented increase in popularity around the globe. As a result of this sudden trajectory, though, and the conditions under which the tea is grown, supplies may soon run out. Click here for more.
Brazilian Steakhouse to Open in Jersey City Heights
In one of the most recent additions to the Heights’ expansive restaurant scene, a Brazilian steakhouse will be opening in a previously vacant commercial space at 366 Palisade Avenue. The space was previously vacant for 15 years. While there is minimal available information about the space as of this publishing, this piece will be updated as information becomes available. Click here for more.
Maritime Park in Hoboken: Phase One Construction To Begin
Photo Credit: City of Hoboken
Hoboken will be one step closer to having a fully public waterfront. The Maritime Park project has been in the works for months, and now construction is set to begin on Phase One. On Wednesday, December 10th, the City of Hoboken hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the future Maritime Park. Construction is set to take place this winter, continuing into the spring of 2026. Click here for more.
Seafood Restaurant, The Boil, Closes in Jersey City
A seafood restaurant in Jersey City looks like it’s gone fishing. The Boil has been serving Jersey City lobster, crab, shrimp, and more flavorful seafood for the past five years. The Hoboken Girl noticed the restaurant at 8 Erie Street has wrapped its front windows and has been listed as “temporarily closed” online. Click here for more.
Meet the 10 NJ Nonprofits Selected for Our $10,000 Donation
As a community-first hyperlocal media brand, The Local Girl is dedicated to contributing to the communities that we love so much. Supporting fellow small businesses and showing up to uplift our communities has always been a foundational practice of our brand. Outside of highlighting our vibrant community editorially, The Local Girl also takes pride in our hands-on work in our communities IRL. To further this impact on Giving Tuesday 2025, we asked readers to nominate 10 local nonprofits to which The Local Girl is donating $1,000 each. We asked, you answered, and out of more than 2,000 comments, we selected 10 nonprofits to benefit this year — all from different walks of life and doing incredible things across New Jersey. Hopefully, reading through this list will give you some ideas on where to donate throughout the year, too. Click here for more.
New Jersey to Increase Gas Tax 1/1/26
The New Jersey Department of the Treasury announced on December 1st, 2025, that the state’s gas tax will increase in the new year. New Jersey already has one of the highest gas tax rates in the country, and will see an additional increase by 4.2 cents per gallon come January 1st, 2026. New Jersey’s gas tax funds projects to improve the state’s transportation infrastructure. Click here for more.
Hybrid Coffee to Open New Location in Jersey City Heights
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Another newcomer to the lineup of Palisade Avenue businesses is Hybrid Coffee. Hybrid Coffee already has locations in Mana Contemporary at 888 Newark Avenue and another in JC at 398 Manila Avenue. Originally a mobile coffee cart, Hybrid Coffee is a passion project from longtime Jersey City resident Evan Santiago. Evan was also behind the concept for the mobile coffee cart, which was converted from an old horse trailer. Now a brick-and-mortar business with added kitchen space, Hybrid Coffee also has a pastry menu. The Heights location is set to open on December 15th. Click here for more.
Olaide’s Kitchen to Open Second New Jersey Location in Jersey City
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Olaide’s Kitchen is a West African restaurant set to open its second location in New Jersey. The restaurant’s chef and namesake, Chef Olaide Tella, serves a menu of authentic Nigerian recipes inspired by her heritage. The restaurant has been operating in Parlin, New Jersey, since 2017. The Jersey City Heights location opened on December 4th at 516 Paterson Plank Road, and the first 30 guests were gifted a free tote bag. Click here for more.
HDSID’s Happy Holiday Handmade Market Returns to Jersey City for TWO Weekends
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Jersey City’s Happy Holiday Handmade Market is back for 2025. Hosted by the Historic Downtown Special Improvement District (HDSID), this annual holiday bazaar brings together over 150 local artisans, delicious bites, and family-friendly activities for two weekends: December 13th + 14th and December 20th + 21st. Spread across two festive locations, The Grove Street PATH Plaza and The Ashford rooftop (145 Newark Avenue), The Happy Holiday Handmade Market is the perfect way to shop small, support local makers, and soak up the holiday spirit in the heart of Jersey City. Click here for more.
Hoboken Police Department Hosts Annual Toy Drive
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The Hoboken Police Department is hosting its annual toy drive. Residents are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys to the Hoboken Police Station at 106 Hudson Street. There is a drop-off box inside. Toys will be collected until Christmas Eve and will be distributed to the Hoboken Housing Authority and any families in need.
Varsity Pilates to Open in Jersey City Heights
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A new business will enter the Jersey City Heights community at 523 Palisade Avenue, Varsity Pilates. The pilates studio will be releasing its class schedule on December 15th, which will include reformer Pilates workout classes ranging from early morning 6AM sessions to late night sessions at 7:30PM. The studio is offering founding memberships before opening. More information about memberships can be found here. Click here for more.
Jolie Femme Nails Opens in Hoboken
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A new nail salon, Jolie Femme Nails, recently opened in Hoboken at 532 Monroe Street. Per its website, the salon specializes in premium, non-toxic, and cruelty-free formulations to deliver flawless, long-lasting results.
Founder of Hoboken Nonprofit Receives Award from The Courage Project
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Hoboken resident and founder of Community Lifestyle, Louis Quinones, received an award from The Courage Project on December 9th. Louis was selected as one of 12 honorees by The Courage Project: a national and nonpartisan initiative that honors individuals and organizations demonstrating civic courage, compassion, and community engagement with $25,000 awards. This achievement recognizes the impact that Louis has made in our local community. Community Lifestyle is a nonprofit committed to empowering the next generation with free sports and after-school programs that provide safe, structured environments for children in low-income communities.
Hoboken Musician Releases Debut Album
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Hoboken-based songwriter and bassist, Gregory McLoughlin, released his first full-length record on December 12th. His self-titled debut album is full of songs that sound like they’ve been carried around for years, refined by late nights and small rooms. Gregory plays a weekly set at Symposia Bookstore on Washington Street. Every week, people crowd into the cozy space not just to hear him play, but to share something that feels rare today: a sense of community.
Bwè Kafe Celebrates 5th Year of Crafting Holiday Drinks at Z100 Jingle Ball
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2025 marks the 5th year that the Bwè Kafe team has been crafting delicious holiday themed drinks for talent, guests, and crew at the Z100 Jingle Ball. This year, Bwè featured a Gingersnap Latte with the little acorn bakery, its Hot Cocoa Bar (with spiked option for adults), and Bwèspresso Martini in addition to coffee and espresso.
Jersey City to Convert Sixth Street Embankment into Elevated Park
Jersey City has moved forward with converting the Sixth Street Embankment into a nearly mile-long elevated park. Per the Hudson Reporter, the city council unanimously approved a settlement agreement that transfers the embankment’s open-space parcels to the city and establishes a path for redevelopment. The decision follows more than two decades of legal disputes and stalled efforts involving the historic rail structure. The council also introduced an ordinance proposing a 30-year tax abatement for the development portion. Both the settlement agreement and the tax abatement require approval on second reading. If approved, the actions would conclude decades of litigation and advance the creation of a new elevated park and open space.
Bill Authorizing NJCU-Kean Merger Clears Senate Committee
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The bill authorizing Union-based Kean University to absorb the financially troubled New Jersey City University (NJCU) cleared another hurdle in the state legislature on December 8th, with the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee voting to advance it. Per the Jersey City Times, 10-1-1 vote came after a representative for the schools’ non-faculty staff criticized portions of the bill that could put NJCU employees’ careers at risk after the merger. In November, the New Jersey Senate Higher Education Committee heard testimony that NJCU is facing a $25 million structural deficit and nearly $200 million in debt.
New Jersey Devils Visit Jersey City Medical Center
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New Jersey Devils players, alumni, and staff spread holiday cheer to RWJBarnabas Health with their annual systemwide hospital visits throughout the state of New Jersey, including the Jersey City Medical Center (JCMC). Per the National Hockey League, players visited the Labor and Delivery Unit at JCMC and met a few newborns, proud parents, and extended families.
Hoboken City Council Discusses 15th Street Light Rail Feasibility Study
The Hoboken City Council discussed a 15th Street Hudson-Bergen Light Rail feasibility study at the December 3rd meeting. Community Development and Planning Director Chris Brown explained that the project was funded by a grant to redevelop the North End section of the city. He noted that the Northwest Redevelopment Plan included a proposal for a 15th Street light rail station many years ago, and the council approved a feasibility study in July. Feasibility Study Project Manager Will Sherman said the next steps are working with NJ Transit and Union City and gauging their interest in partnering, which will help them assess where the funding will come from.
Jersey City Council Defeats Rent Control Expansion
A proposal to expand rent control protections to landlords who own multiple small residential buildings was defeated on December 2nd after the Jersey City Council split 3–3–2 on final passage, leaving the measure without the majority needed to be adopted. Per TAPinto Jersey City, the ordinance was designed to close what officials described as a growing loophole: large corporate landlords buying several one- to four-unit homes under separate LLCs, keeping each exempt from rent control. The measure would have required any owner with five or more rental units citywide, even if spread across multiple properties and entities, to come under rent control.
Bayonne Mayor to Resign on 1/1
Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis will resign on January 1st, 2026, to be sworn in as the next Hudson County sheriff, suggesting Public Safety Director Robert Kubert to take his place in the interim ahead of the May 12th mayoral race in the Peninsula City. Per the Hudson County View, Councilman at-Large Loyad Booker, former Council President Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski, and local developer Lance Lucarelli have filed to run for mayor next spring.
Newark’s Anheuser-Busch Brewery to Close Early Next Year
The nearly 75-year-old Anheuser-Busch beer brewery in Newark will close early next year after being sold. Per TAPinto Newark, the St. Louis-based company announced on December 11th that the plant along Routes 1 & 9 will close early next year, along with Anheuser-Busch breweries in Fairfield, California, and Merrimack, New Hampshire. The 475 employees at the three plants will be offered jobs at one of Anheuser-Busch’s other facilities, along with money to move and training to learn new skills. Employees who don’t want to relocate will be offered severance packages.
Hoboken Officials Release Statements Following Palestinian Flag Raising and Removal
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Hoboken officials have shared statements over a decision to raise the Palestinian flag at City Hall on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, and then removing it less than 24 hours later. The move sparked praise and criticism from some residents and elected officials, drawing local and national coverage. Click here for more.
Jersey City Council Votes to Prevent Heights University Hospital from Becoming Senior Housing
The Jersey City council took steps this week to prevent the Heights University Hospital from being turned into senior housing, citing concerns about the city’s dwindling hospital services. The city council voted 8-0 on December 10th, with one councilperson abstaining, to adopted an ordinance that prevents senior housing and assisted living residences from being built in the city’s medical zone.
