If you’re curious to know what you missed this week in Hoboken + Jersey City news, we’ve got you covered. Among the local headlines: masks are now optional at most municipal buildings in Bayonne, New Jersey State officials have advanced 11 bills designed to help and prevent food insecurity throughout the state, Maman has opened the new Jersey City location, and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Hoboken, Jersey City + beyond.
Hoboken Hosting Baseball Parade to Kickoff Little League Season
As the spring season approaches, we’re gearing up for warmer weather, longer days, and baseball. Sure, Hoboken is known for being the birthplace of Sinatra, the location of where the Oreo and ice cream cone were created, but Hobokenites have always valued sports culture in town, and many professional athletes have come from here – after all, the Mile Square was the home of the first-ever game of baseball. To commemorate the kickoff of the 2022 Little League season, the City has reinstated its beloved baseball parade. Click here for all the details.
The DRIP Fitness to Host Grand Opening in Downtown Hoboken
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The Drip Fitness is hosting grand opening classes from Monday, February 21st through Friday, March 11th in downtown Hoboken. The fitness studio is located at 44 Hudson Place, Floor 4 in Hoboken and offers both cycling and mat classes. The grand opening party will take place on Friday evening, March 11th.
Bubbakoo’s Burritos Now Open in Jersey City
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A new burrito place, Bubbakoo’s Burritos is now open to Journal Square. Located in different states across the country, Bubbakoo’s first-ever restaurant opened in Point Pleasant, NJ. Now, it’s opening a new location at 896 Bergen Avenue in Jersey City. Click here to read about Bubbakoo’s Burritos newest location.
Milk Sugar Love Announces Closure of Jersey City Heights Location
The Heights in Jersey City just lost a sweet spot on Palisade — but fear not, as there’s still organic ice cream in Hamilton Park to be found. On February 17th, Emma Taylor, the owner of Milk Sugar Love, a woman-owned popular ice cream company, announced via the brand’s Instagram that the Jersey City Heights storefront had closed. This was the shop’s second location, located at 394 Palisade Avenue, but the downtown Jersey City location at Hamilton Park remains open. Emma’s delicious treats are known regionally, and the brand is known for its unique flavors and organic recipes. Click here for what we know.
Property Owner Blindsided in Potential Eminent Domain Case
The City of Hoboken appraised the building at 1501 Adams Street in uptown Hoboken at $19.3M, according to NJ.com. The Poggi Press building would serve as the new public works building but the property owner said he was blindsided by Hoboken’s move to acquire the building, potentially through eminent domain.
Jersey City Film Studio Makes Mafia Comedy Starring Sopranos Star
Jersey City-based film company Sip Studios is bringing a new mafia comedy to this Sopranos-loving area. A film called Wise Guys just released the trailer for the new, dark comedy series starring Sopranos legend Robert Funaro and Tik Tok star Troy Bond. Click here to read about this film and its New Jersey connections.
2 Concepts in 1 Set to Open in Delfino’s Former Hoboken Location
When one door closes, another opens. The Hoboken Girl has learned that ‘The Pizza Shop’ and ‘Flour’ are the official new eateries taking over the Delfino’s space. The owners hope to bring their own flair with new owners and a new menu. Click here to read about what’s to come at The Pizza Shop by Flour in Hoboken.
The Hive’s Cinnamon Rolls Sold Out in 30 Minutes — and We Can’t Get Enough
The Hive’s newly launched cinnamon rolls have become a huge hit in Hoboken, so much so that they’ve been selling out 30 minutes after the shop opens. What makes them so good? The Hoboken Girl has the inside scoop on how the fluffy sweet treats are made. Click here for our exclusive profile on the homemade cinnamon rolls sold at The Hive.
And The Winner of the 2022 Hoboken Girl Puppy Photo Bowl Is…
Although it was an extremely tough decision as all of the pups were next-level adorable, our 2nd annual Puppy Photo Bowl Contest 2022 has a winner after a long weekend of voting. The winner of this year’s contest is…TUGG! The Top 9 Finalists were voted on by the community over the span of five days.
Tugg’s owner shared with us:“Tugg is a Boxer mix rescue that came from the woods of Virginia and now happily lives in Hoboken with myself and my partner. He loves going to the dog parks around Hoboken to play with his friends and you can often find him jogging along the water. When Tugg isn’t protecting his neighborhood from the squirrels and birds of Hoboken, he enjoys hiking and going on fun road trips with his humans.” Click here to see more pictures of cute pups and to see what Tugg won.
Artichoke Basille’s Opens New Location in Jersey City
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Artichoke Basille’s Pizza celebrated the grand opening of the newest NJ pizza shop located at 246 Bay Street in Jersey City. The New York-based pizza shop is well known throughout the area and currently has just one other New Jersey location, in downtown Hoboken.
Taco-Drive Taking Over Rig A Tony’s in Downtown Jersey City
A new taco place called Taco-Drive will be opening very soon in Jersey City. Located at 195 Newark Avenue, Taco-Drive is taking over the space of Rig A Tony’s, and The Hoboken Girl has the inside scoop of what people can expect from the Mexican restaurant. Click here to read about Taco-Drive in Jersey City.
Bon Banh Inches Closer to Opening in Former Stacks Storefront
The Hoboken Girl reported back in October of 2021 that Bon Banh, a Vietnamese restaurant was going to be taking over Stacks Pancake House at 506 Washington Street. We had an opportunity to chat with owners Tony Kim and Kathy Kim about what to expect at the new fast-food spot. Now, locals who walk past the storefront will see the new signage hanging – signaling that the cafe is getting closer to the grand opening. Click here for what to expect. and peek at the new look of the storefront of Bon Banh in Hoboken.
Hoboken Residents Invited to Virtual Meeting on New Recreation Center
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Hoboken Councilman Ruben Ramos has invited the community to call in to a virtual meeting on Wednesday, March 9th to share opinions regarding a new recreation center, per Tap Into. Councilman Ramos has plans to sponsor a resolution at the meeting asking the City of Hoboken to hire a city planner to design a new community center.
Bayonne City Council Raises Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour for Municipal Employees
In a city council meeting on February 9th, the Bayonne City Council approved and ordinance to raise the minimum wage for municipal employees from $13 per hour to $15 per hour. According to Hudson Reporter, this new policy goes into effect retroactively, on Saturday January 1st, 2022.
Police Report: 15-year-old Shot in Jersey City
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is currently investigating the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old in Jersey City, per NJ.com. Shortly after 8:20PM on Saturday, February 12th, police responded to reports of gunshots in the area of 112 Myrtle Avenue and found the young man with a gunshot wound to his torso. The victim was transported to Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit is investigating the case with assistance from the Jersey City Police Department.
Hoboken City Council Seeks to End Rent Moratorium
The Hoboken City Council is proposing the end of the measure that froze rent for tenants that started in rent-controlled buildings when the coronavirus pandemic put millions of Americans out of work in the spring of 2020, per NJ.com. The moratorium was supposed to end two months after the end of Hoboken’s State of Emergency for the pandemic and the city’s Office of Emergency Management has not ended yet. Tenants are hoping to know when the rent will be increased so they will be prepared.
NJ-Based Crypto Startup to Pay $100M in Fines
Cryptocurrency lending platform BlockFi has agreed to pay $100 million in fines to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, per Tap Into. Under the terms of the settlement, BlockFi will be paying $50 million to the SEC and another $50M to 32 separate states. According to the authorities, the firm’s BlockFi Interest Accounts product was unregistered and the business was not properly registered as an investment company.
Jersey City Resident to Host Concert to Honor 60 Years of Female Singers
Jersey City resident Alicia Olatuja will be putting on a concert at the Flushing Town Hall this Saturday night, reported Patch. Her show “Intuition: From the Minds of Women” will be giving a new voice to 60 years of female artists and it will celebrate the achievements of many female composers. Olatuja will be sharing her own live music, and will also be singing the songs of Sade, Tracy Chapman, and many more.
Developer Secures Loan for New Class-A Property in Jersey City
Financing for a new multifamily development in Journal Square, Jersey City was recently arranged, according to Jersey Digs. The financing was arranged in the form of a $47 million lease-up bridge loan by Greystone, on behalf of Namdar Group. This project will consist of a new 166-unit Class-A multifamily property.
State Officials Approve Food Insecurity Bills
New Jersey State officials have advanced 11 bills design to help and prevent food insecurity throughout the state, per Tap Into. One such bill is the Working Class Families Anti-Hunger Act, which will allow more working-class students to have access to free breakfast and lunch options at school.
Jersey City Medical Center to Build Serenity Garden
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Jersey City Medical Center is planning on adding new greenery to their property as a tribute to those affected by the coronavirus pandemic, per Jersey Digs. This “serenity garden” will be placed in the Northeastern area of the Jersey Medical Center and the new garden was drawn up by Dewberry Engineers. Several items in the garden will honor the lives of loved ones who lost their lives due to the pandemic.
Artwork Celebrating Black History Month Unveiled at Church Square Park in Hoboken
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The City of Hoboken has unveiled a new art piece on Friday, February 11th, that highlights the character, culture, and contributions of the Black community, per Tap Into. The art piece is called “I AM 400: The African Journey In America 1619-2019,” and it was created by Jerome and Jeromyah Jones, a father-son art team. This art piece features 69 portraits of African American history makers.
Office Building in Jersey City Sold for $300M
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An office building located at 70 Hudson Street in Jersey City recently sold for $300M to Vision Properties and Hana Alternative Asset Management. According to Jersey Digs, the building sits on a 1-acre lot in the Paulus Hook neighborhood.
Hoboken Public Library to Receive American Rescue Plan Funding
According to a press release, the Hoboken Public library is slated to receive $10,000 from a humanities grant as part of the grant American Library Association grant-making program that delivers relief to libraries recovering from the coronavirus pandemic. The Hoboken Public Library will use the grant money to reinforce its role as the city’s vibrant center of learning, communication, and connection.
Madison Pizza Lab Teases Opening
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Dave Carney’s newest downtown pizza joint is almost here, per Tap Into. According to this Instagram post, Madison Pizza Lab is almost here. The new restaurant is located in the Newark Street space previously occupied by an old pizza place.
Jersey City Now Accepting Applications for Artist Grants
Applications for $850,000 in artist grants are now being accepted in Jersey City, according to NJ.com. Voters approved the arts fund tax in November 2020 and the application process has been slowed twice. Mayor Steve Fulop said, “Our local artists and arts organizations define our city as a local destination for arts and culture, and our investments today will have invaluable impacts for generations to come.”
Hoboken Driver Hits Parked Cars, Arrested
A Hoboken driver hit two parked cars while driving and was charged with driving while intoxicated, reported Patch. Aquil White of Elizabeth was charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and assault by auto. He was arrested, charged, and was later released to a responsible party.
New Jersey Transit Comes to Terms in Settlement
The New Jersey Transit Board has approved a settlement for a conductor involved in a deadly train derailment, per Bronx News. This train derailment happened in 2016 when one woman was killed and 100 others were injured. This settlement affects one of the two conductors aboard the train when it was derailed.
Hoboken Confirms 2 More COVID-19 Deaths
COVID-19 case numbers have continued to decrease in Hoboken since the start of the year, and the city has confirmed two more resident deaths from COVID-19, per MSN. Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a statement, “Hoboken lost another two individuals to COVID-19, a man in his 60s and a woman in her 90s. I send my condolences and prayers to their families and loved ones.” Since the start of the pandemic, Hoboken has lost a total of 63 residents.
Hoboken Announces Almost All Citizens 12 and Over Have At Least One Dose of Vaccine
The City of Hoboken said that almost all residents 12 and over have gotten at least one dose of the COVID vaccine, per Patch. 98% of Hoboken residents 12 and over have gotten their first dose as of this past weekend. For both doses, 83% of those 12 and over are considered fully vaccinated.
Jersey City Planning Board Approves Project Despite Public Backlash
The Jersey City Planning Board voted to approve a new building at 25 Clinton Ave. in Ward F, per Hudson County View. This new building plan has received several objections from residents in the community, due to it containing no affordable housing or designated parking spots for the 30 units in the building. This building has also received objections due to its modern edifice potentially clashing with the historic nature of the neighborhood it would end up in.
Maman Cafe Opens New Jersey City Location
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The Manhattan-based café, Maman has opened the new Jersey City location, per Jersey Digs. The space officially opened on Valentine’s Day on the ground floor of 70 Hudson Street. Weekday hours are from 7:30AM to 6PM and weekend hours are 8AM to 6PM.
Multiple Black History Month Exhibits Open in Hudson County
The Black History Month Group Exhibition will be open to the public for viewing on the second floor of the Rotunda Gallery located at 280 Grove Street in Jersey City, per NJ.com. The gallery will be on display until February 28th, and those who want to attend should schedule an appointment ahead of time. There are also countless other opportunities to celebrate Black History Month.
Man Charged With Carjacking and Several Other Counts
A man has been charged with carjacking while a baby was in the vehicle, and many other charges, per Hudson County View. Raymond Scott of East Orange was charged with multiple different counts after he was arrested for carjacking a car from a convenience store with a baby and a woman inside. The stolen vehicle was abandoned as Scott ran on foot and evaded police for a few days.
Masks Now Optional at Most Bayonne Municipal Buildings
Masks are now optional at most municipal buildings in Bayonne, including the City Hall, per The Hudson Reporter. The move to rescind this policy comes from positivity rates continuing to fall in the city and across Hudson County. Mayor James Davis announced via a memo that city employees will no longer be required to wear protective masks within municipal buildings or within city vehicles. Visitors in City Hall also are no longer required to wear masks when they enter the building.
Lawsuit over Bayonne’s Original Caschem Redevelopment Plan Dismissed
A Hudson County Superior Court judge has dismissed the lawsuit regarding the original redevelopment plan for the former Caschem site, reported the Hudson Reporter. When the original redevelopment plan came before the Bayonne City Council, it was tabled in October at the request of the redeveloper. The City Council did introduce the ordinance in November for a public hearing and a vote that was slated for December. Following the City Council’s December meeting, resident Robert Archibald filed a lawsuit alleging the city violated the Open Public Meetings Act.
Jersey City Man Injured During Apparent Road Rage Incident
A man was sent to a local hospital after he was assaulted in an apparent road rage incident, per NJ.com. The incident occurred Wednesday, February 16th at around 8:30AM. The victim told responding police officers a driver had gotten out of his vehicle, approached him, and struck him in the face. The injuries were not life-threatening.
