Happy Sunday, Hoboken and Jersey City! Assuming that your cookies are baked, stockings hung by the fire with care, New Year’s Eve plans solidified, then hopefully you can take time out of this most hectic of days to read up on what’s been going on in our New Jersey cities. Take a load off, put the wrapping paper down for a while, and sit back with a nice cup of tea while we list all the headlines you missed earlier in the week!
Battello in Jersey City Takes Steps Toward Reopening
It’s a 2019 miracle — Battello is *hopefully* planning to reopen in mid-to-late January {after many delays and setbacks}.
Head Chef and owner Ryan DePersio posted on his Instagram about hiring for all positions, “Wednesday December 26th & Thursday December 27th @battellojc team will be interviewing for All Positions. 12pm-3pm. We are looking for PASSIONATE PEOPLE ! Bring a resume and be ready to tell us why you want to join our team. This is for Front of the House and Back of the House. Please REPOST IF YOU LOVE BATTELLO!. ”
An Instagram follower asked him when they are planning to open, and his response via Instagram comment was “we will hopefully taking reservations mid-January.” We’ll keep you posted on when a solidified date is announced.
Hoboken SantaCon Culminates in 14 Arrests, 4 Cops in Hospital
Last week, people dressed as Santas celebrated SantaCon in the Mile Square City, but as usual, the day ended up being controversial. A total of 14 people were arrested and four cops were sent to the hospital.
Scores of red-clad revelers unleashed chaos on the streets of Hoboken during Saturday’s SantaCon, as 14 people were arrested and four cops landed in the hospital. One cop was even punched in the face near Cadillac Cantina. The aggressor was charged with aggravated assault.
Hoboken police chief Ken Ferrante shared his feelings about the holiday chaos on Twitter:
“That’s 4 officers needing medical aid & some wonder why I condemn this day!” Ferrante wrote. “No other day like it in the entire year in @CityofHoboken. Those that cause it need to pay the consequences (sic).”
In addition to the 14 arrests, cops served SantaCon partiers a total of 33 summonses — for everything from public intoxication to urination. By comparison, 2017 saw 52 summonses issued and a total of 17 arrests were made.
New York City SantaCon, which also went down last week, saw two arrests and 50 written summonses by police.
City of Hoboken Doles Out Reusable Bags at Holiday Events
In anticipation of Hoboken’s city-wide single-use plastic bag ban — effective January 22, 2019 — the city will be passing out reusable bags {for free!} at several upcoming holiday events.
“The first phase of the bag giveaway is aimed at providing reusable bags for the senior population,” a press release states. “Additional reusable giveaway events will be announced in January, which include partnerships with Hoboken schools. The reusable bag giveaways are aimed to encourage local residents to help Hoboken’s local environment by bringing reusable bags for all shopping trips, including grocery shopping and daily use.”
As previously mentioned, Mayor Bhalla and the Hoboken Green Team {led by Councilman Jim Doyle} initiated the single-use carry-out plastic bag ban. The ban prohibits retail and food establishments from providing single-use plastic carry-out bags to customers. Instead, paper bags will be available to customers for a fee of 10 to 25 cents per bag. One of the goals of the initiative is to encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags.
Learn more about the plastic bag ban at www.hobokennj.gov/plasticbags and learn more about the Hoboken Green Team at www.hobokennj.gov/greenteam.
State of New Jersey Bans the Circus
New Jersey has become the first state to pass legislation that bans the use of wild animals in circuses and other traveling shows that make wild animals perform. Governor Phil Murphy signed the bill on December 14, which is known as “Nosey’s Law.” Nosey is a 37-year-old elephant from the Great American Family Circus who made headlines when she was seized from her circus owners in 2017, who were charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty. The owners were accused of chaining Nosey, forcing her to sit in her own waste, malnourishing her, and general neglect.
The new law seeks to protect endangered and threatened species — elephants, lions, tigers, bears, and primates — and ensures they’re not forced to “perform” for entertainment.
The Dodo reports New York, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and Massachusetts are also considering similar bans.
Court Street Might Be Getting a Historic Rehabilitation
Court Street might be the next locale in Hoboken to qualify for historic rehabilitation. The seven and a half blocks of cobblestone run parallel to Washington Street and were laid within Hoboken’s Historic District back in 1804 as part of the original city plan.
Hoboken has reportedly hired a Consultant Team to move the restoration project along. The City says it hopes to choose a contractor for the project by Spring 2019. Construction is anticipated to take six months.
While some Hoboken residents have expressed their disapproval of the project, the City is offering the opportunity to provide feedback. A presentation will take place at the January 16 Council meeting in the Council Chambers at City Hall at 96 Washington Street.
Hoboken PD Starts New Email for Traffic Concern Tips
We have started a new Email at @HobokenPD . For any Traffic, moving violation concerns and other car, bike, and pedestrian complaints occurring in @CityofHoboken , please send all videos, pics, complaints, questions and ideas to: Traffic@hobokenpd.org pic.twitter.com/xgUcMqN2t8
— Chief Ken Ferrante, Ret. (@KenFerrante) December 13, 2018
The Hoboken Police Department has started a new email for aggregating traffic concerns. “For any traffic, moving violation concerns and other car, bike, and pedestrian complaints occurring in @CityofHoboken.” Residents can send pictures, videos, complaints, questions, and ideas to traffic@hobokenpd.org.
Jet Donates Perishable Items to Hoboken Shelter
{Photo courtesy of Jet}
Last Tuesday, December 18, Jet partnered with the Hoboken Shelter to donate perishable items and other goods to the community. Volunteers from Jet, a Hoboken-based business, helped unload a Parcel van full of donations.
Visit Jet for more information on The Hoboken Shelter and to find out how you can donate.
Tutta Pesca Makes Top 100 Best Restaurant List from OpenTable
OpenTable has officially shared its Best Restaurants in America 2018 and Hoboken favorite Tutta Pesca. The list looks at over 12 million reviews from OpenTable diner and determines the top 100 out of 28,000 restaurants throughout the country.
Tutta Pesca is one of only two New Jersey restaurants that made the list. The other NJ restaurant to get the honor is Steve & Cookie’s By the Bay in Margate, NJ.
Congratulations, Tutta Pesca!
Bellamy, New Rental Commercial Kitchen Opens in Union City
{Photo courtesy of Bellamy}
Bellamy Kitchen has launched the opening of its new commercial kitchen facility at 913 New York Avenue in Union City. The facility is the first of its kind in Hudson County. Bellamy is 3,000 square-feet of commercial kitchen, now open for business.
“As a small food business owner, I witnessed the struggle of finding modern and consistent commercial kitchen space for food production,” owner Meredith Chartier says. “I wanted to help others like me make their business dreams a reality.”
“Bellamy Kitchen offers 4 package options, with customization available to meet the needs of all businesses, whether they are established or just starting out,” Chartier adds.
The kitchen is equipped with freezer storage, a baking studio, and two culinary kitchens, as well as a loading zone for deliveries.
Light Rail Cafe Reopens in Jersey City
{Photo credit: Instagram}
The Light Rail Cafe in Jersey City has officially reopened. Fans of the coffee shop have been anxiously awaiting the highly-anticipated reopening of the shop since its Instagram account started posting teasers of the reopening announcement. It’s now open at 237 Randolph Street in Jersey City, though it’s closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
Re-Juice-a-Nation Hoboken Temporarily Closed
The Re-Juice-a-Nation juicery, located at 64 Newark Street, is temporarily closed. The windows are covered up with brown paper so no one can see in. On paper covering the would-be entrance to the juicery, is a note that reads, “Sorry, we are temporarily closed.” No word yet as to what’s going on with the re-energizing the downtown spot, but we’ll keep you updated.
The Ashford Opens on Newark Street
{Photo courtesy of The Ashford PR}
As of Friday, December 21 The Ashford is the newest local restaurant in business, celebrating its grand opening at 145 Neward Avenue {right near Grove Street} with Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, the JC Historic Downtown Special Improvement District, and the Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Task Force present for the special event. Not only was it a celebration of The Ashford, but the double ribbon-cutting ceremony also honored the restaurant’s sister bar, Six26 Lounge & Rooftop, which also opened on Friday.
Both locations are located in downtown Jersey City — Six26 at 128 Christopher Columbus Drive — and are ready to serve guests, host private and corporate events, and dangle the carrot of their rooftop real estate before us. {Yes, rooftop will open, but not until the Spring!} Six26 is Jersey City’s newest LGBTQ+ destination, named for June 26, 2015, the date Marriage Equality was recognized by Supreme Court.
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