Every week, we gather the highlights you missed in the news this week in Hoboken + Jersey City. Among the local headlines: the Hoboken City Council approved a one-year contract for the community to use the pool at Stevens; Jersey City is set to receive $426K to beautify the community; Drag Queen Story Hour returns to the Hoboken Public Library; and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Hoboken, Jersey City, + beyond.
Hoboken Early Voting Underway for Primary Election
In-person early voting for the Tuesday, June 7th Primary Election is available until 6PM on Sunday, June 5th. Registered voters can cast their ballot in person, using a voting machine in the conference room on the first floor of Hoboken City Hall. Residents can also cast their ballot at their registered polling place on Tuesday, June 7th from 6AM to 8PM.
Salt + Ginger Opens on Grove Street in Jersey City
A new restaurant has taken over the former spot of Wild Fusion. Salt + Ginger, a new Chinese eatery, has opened at 313 Grove Street in downtown Jersey City. The location joins several other restaurants on Grove Street across from Jersey City Hall, within a short walk from the Grove Street PATH station. The restaurant is still in its soft opening stages, but it’s already a hit among the community. Click here to read about Salt + Ginger, now open in Jersey City.
Jersey City’s New Thanh Hoai Closes Permanently
New Thanh Hoai, located at 234 10th Street in Jersey City, has officially closed as of Tuesday, May 31st, per Jersey City Upfront. The restaurant featured an extensive menu including pho and short rib noodle soup.
City of Hoboken Kicks Off Pride Events on Monday
Starting at 5PM on Monday, June 6th, the City of Hoboken is kicking off a series of events for Pride Month. The first event includes a flag raising at City Hall, located at 94 Washington Street. Click here for the full list of events.
Peruvian + Italian Fusion Restaurant ‘Ragazzo’ Opens in The Heights
Ragazzo Restaurant, an Italian and Peruvian eatery, recently opened in The Heights in Jersey City. Ragazzo is more than a fusion restaurant — it’s a partnership between a mom from Peru who loves to cook and an Italian man from a popular pizzeria in town. Click here to read about Ragazzo Restaurant, located at 3417 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
Annual Jersey City Jazz Festival Returns to Arts District
The Powerhouse Arts District in Jersey City is scheduled to be full of music this weekend, per NJ.com. On Sunday, June 5th, local bands will play live music on two stages set up in the lot at 107 Morgan Street. Before becoming an annual event, the Jersey City Jazz Festival began in 2013 as a community concert.
2 Hoboken Farmers Markets Officially Open This Week
Two city-run farmers markets will be officially opening for the season next week. The Southwest Park Farmers Market is brand new and it will be open on Thursdays starting on June 9th. The Church Square Park Farmers Market returns for its 26th season on Tuesday, June 7th. Click here to read more about these farmers markets.
City of Hoboken Signs One-Year Contract to Use Stevens Pool for Residents
On Wednesday, June 1st, the Hoboken City Council voted on a proposed one-year contract to use the pool at Stevens Institute of Technology. According to Patch, users must be Hoboken residents and vaccinated against COVID-19. As of right now, an opening date has not been set. Click here to read more about what we know.
Police + Bystander Revive Man Aboard Train at Hoboken PATH Station
Port Authority Police and a bystander saved a man in a medical emergency onboard a train, per Tap Into. The incident happened at the Hoboken PATH station on Thursday, May 26th. The police officers and the bystander, who was a physician’s assistant, were able to revive the man and transport him to Christ’s Hospital in Jersey City.
Jersey City Receives Over $426K to Beautify Neighborhoods
Jersey City is set to receive over $426K to remove litter and beautify the community, per Tap Into. This money comes from a Clean Communities grant. This is just one grant that will be given in New Jersey as The Department of Environmental Protection distributed more than $21.4 million in Clean Communities grants.
Jersey City to Vote on New Public Library Branch Location
On Thursday, June 16th, the Jersey City Council will vote on the possible location for a new branch of the Free Public Library, per Jersey Digs. A newly finished development located at 297 Johnston Avenue in Jersey City has 8,000 square feet of ground floor space the city acquired the rights to. The council will vote on whether or not this space is ideal for this specific project.
World’s Largest Ice Cream Eating Contest Happening in Hoboken On 6/12
The “Mile Square Meltdown” ice cream festival will be on June 12th and it will also include the “largest ice cream eating contest in the world,” per Patch. More than 160 people have signed up to compete. This event will be part of the monthly Artisan Market run by Main Street Pops. The ticket sales will be donated to the Hoboken Family Alliance in order to help support the annual summer food drive.
Hoboken Continues Paving Roads: An Update
Hoboken is continuing to pave roads, per Patch. They recently repaved 14th Street as a part of the city’s 2022 Resurfacing and Complete Streets Program. For more information on the construction schedule for the city, you can click here.
Hoboken’s BookBike is Back to Lend/Return Library Materials
Hoboken’s BookBike will once again be hitting the streets this month, per Tap Into. This bike will begin to be out twice a week and it will lend and return library materials, share wireless internet, and even issue library cards. The first day it is out will be June 6th at Pier A Park on 100 Sinatra Drive.
$25 Million Loan Approved to Refinance Hoboken’s ShopRite
JLL has arranged a $25 million loan for the refinancing of a shopping center, per Rebusiness Online. Grocer ShopRite, located at 900 Madison Avenue in Hoboken, will be fully leased by the time the loan closes. The loan carries a 10-year term and a fixed interest rate.
Jersey City to Establish Early Dismissal on Hot Days
Jersey City Public Schools’ Interim Superintendent Norma Fernandez says that she is hoping to establish a policy that will allow for early dismissal on hot days, per NJ.com. This helps keep students and teachers out of the sweltering classrooms. Out of the 46 buildings owned by the school district, 33 of them do not have air conditioning.
Jersey City Night Market is Back at City Hall
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The Jersey City Night Market returns to help the community support small businesses, per NJ.com. The first night market of the year was on Saturday, June 4th from 4PM to 10PM at the City Hall Lot on Marin Boulevard and Montgomery Street. This event is open to the public and free of charge.
JLL Receives $88 Million Loan for Urby Development
Journal Square’s spin on the Urby development has been given a major financial push to finish the job, per Jersey Digs. Jones Lang LaSalle Capital Markets recently announced they closed on an $88.34 million loan. This project will include 317 units and span 25 floors once it is complete.
Drag Queen Story Hour Returns to Hoboken Public Library
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The Hoboken Public Library will be kicking off Pride Month with a Drag Queen Story Hour, per Tap Into. Harmonica Sunbeam will be reading stories, telling jokes, and singing songs at the DQSH on June 8th starting at 10:30AM in Church Square Park. The library says the story hour is open to children of all ages and that registration to the event is required. Click here to see other pride events in the area.
Hoboken-Based Culina Health Secures $4.75M in Funding
According to a press release, Culina Health announced it has secured $4.75M in funding. Based in Hoboken, Culina Health offers personalized, science-backed virtual nutrition coaching from local experts. According to PR News Wire, Culina Health is the only platform in the market providing clinical-level, integrated care management in a scalable and cost-effective way.
Hoboken Parking Enforcement Officers to Wear Body Cameras
The Hoboken Police Department will be expanding the use of body cameras beyond just police officers. Parking enforcement agents will now also wear body cams as part of a two-month pilot program. During this period, several of the city’s parking enforcement officers will be wearing body cams while on duty. You can click here to read more about this initiative recently passed by the Hoboken City Council.
Prisoners from Cumberland to be Transported to Hudson County Corrections
Hudson County Corrections and Rehabilitation Center in Kearny will begin accepting inmates who were formerly housed in the Cumberland County Jail, per Tap Into. This follows a decision that was made in late December.
Lokal Eatery + Bar in Jersey City Expands Open Hours
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Lokal Eatery + Bar, located at 2 2nd Street in Jersey City, has announced an expanded schedule which means more time to enjoy great food and an even better view. According to Instagram, the bar will be open for lunch on Thursdays and Fridays from 11:30AM to 2PM. Reservations can be made online or by calling 201-222-6800.
902 Brewing Jersey City Americana Music Festival Happening in Late June
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The 902 Brewing Jersey City Americana Music Festival will be happening this summer. According to this Instagram post, the festival will take place on June 25th at the brewery. There will be vendors, food trucks, and music including Steel Press, Viktor.Digital, Sean Tobin + The Boardwalk Fire, Jackson Pines, Widely Grown, and Grateful Dead Jamboree.
Woman Referee from New Jersey Joins NFL Refs
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Referee Robin DeLorenzo will officially be joining the NFL as one of three women referee professionals, per NJ.com. The Instagram post reads, “Robin DeLorenzo! 👏 The Nutley native got her start reffing high school football games here in New Jersey in 2004. This fall, she’ll be one of 3 women referees on the field in the National Football League.”
Bombay Tea Rooms Announces First Collaboration
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The Bombay Tea Rooms announced its first-ever collaboration happening later this month. The post reads, “Manasi takes the traditional Afternoon Tea and gives it a whirl of spices and flavors. Come and experience the taste sensations of our first Bombay Tea Rooms.” The first event will be held at the Stingray Lounge in Hoboken on Saturday, June 11th. Seatings are at 11AM + 12:30PM. The second event will be held at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit on Sunday, June 26th. Seatings will be at 11:30AM + 2PM.
WorkSocial Coworking Space Expands Jersey City Headquarters
According to a press release, WorkSocial Coworking Space is expanding its Jersey City headquarters. This new development will expand the existing space to 14,000 square feet, increasing the number of rooms available to reserve for coworking. WorkSocial will continue to offer the amenities such as secure server access, shipping + mailing, an onsite notary, complimentary high-speed Wifi, printing, hot breakfast, lunch services, and beverages + snacks.
Hoboken Girl Scout Receives Gold Award
Amanda Tennaro was awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award, per a press release. This Hoboken Girl Scout was awarded the highest, most prestigious and challenging award for a Girl Scout to obtain for her work in establishing the pet food pantry with the Hoboken Community Center to help serve clients. Amanda is part of Girl Scouts Hearts of NJ.
First Round of Jersey City’s Arts and Culture Trust Fund Grants Announced
Mayor Steven M. Fulop joined City Council members and the Arts and Culture Trust Fund Committee to announce the first round of grant funding through Jersey City’s Arts and Culture Trust Fund. According to a press release, they gave out nearly $900k in grants to provide support to 89 artists and arts organizations throughout Jersey City. This first round of grants will include opportunities for programming and arts education.
Memorial Event Honors Late Jersey City Musician
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On Friday, June 3rd, friends gathered to celebrate the life of Charles “Chuck” Daly, a much-beloved tattoo artist, musician and DJ in Jersey City. Chuck passed away on March 13th. The event featured a memorial concert at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City where friends and ex-bandmates paid tribute to Chuck’s contributions to the local music scene.
