Wind, rain, and flash floods: March has made its lion-like entrance. It’s been another busy week in Hudson County and we’ve got all the headlines to get you caught up. Among the highlights: Jersey City will phase out right turns on red lights at some intersections; several new businesses have opened in Hoboken; and eight Hudson County fire departments will share a federal grant. Read on for all the news in Hoboken + Jersey City for the week ending March 10th, 2024.
Have a news story or press release? Email it to hello@hobokengirl.com.
Among the Headlines (read on for the full stories):
- Golden Door Dispensary Announces Opening in Jersey City
- Jersey City to Phase Out Right Turn on Red at Some Intersections
- Angelo Seafood Market is Now Open in Hoboken
- 76-Year-Old Hoboken Resident’s Exhibit to Be Unveiled at Hoboken Historical Museum on 3/10
- The History of Sound Starring Paul Mescal Filming at 10th + Willow in Hoboken
- Film Honoring Hoboken Resident Shirael Pollack’s Life Now Available for Streaming
- The Good Dog Foundation To Introduce Therapy Dogs at Carepoint Health in Hoboken
- Centre Pompidou Hosts Night of Ideas in Jersey City
- Cangiano’s Marketplace to Open Two More Jersey City Locations
- Electrical Fire at Mint Market in Hoboken: What We Know
Alessio’s Debuts ‘The Hoboken Girl’ Breakfast Sandwich Benefitting York Street Project
Photo Credit: Hannah Taub
The only thing better than a Hoboken sandwich collaboration is a sandwich collaboration for charity. The Hoboken Girl team is thrilled to announce a collaboration with Alessio’s Cafe for the debut of our very own Hoboken Girl Breakfast Sandwich — all to highlight a local non-profit that does amazing work in the Hudson County Community. In honor of Women’s History Month, ‘The Hoboken Girl’ is available at the Alessio’s locations (539 Park Avenue in Hoboken + 99 Franklin Street in Jersey City) through the end of March. 100% of The Hoboken Girl’s portion of the sales will be donated to the York Street Project, a Jersey City non-profit combating poverty in the area. Click here for more about this tasty team-up.
The History of Sound Starring Paul Mescal Filming at 10th + Willow in Hoboken
Hoboken is a perpetually popular spot for all kinds of creative film and TV projects. The most recent filming to come to town is another new movie — a period drama called The History of Sound starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor. The movie was filming at Hoboken restaurant 10th + Willow this week. Click here for more.
Charges Filed Against Bayonne High School Teacher Following Altercation on School Grounds
Charges have been filed against a Bayonne High School teacher following his actions while breaking up a fight amongst students. Per a press release from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Joseph Mingoia, 68, of Bayonne, has been charged with four crimes, including endangering the welfare of a child. During a fight among students at Bayonne High School on January 22nd, 2024, it is alleged that Mr. Mingoia punched one of the female students. He has been on administrative leave since the incident and has been released pending his first court appearance on March 22nd, 2024.
Hoboken Business Alliance Awards Local Businesses Grants From City
The Hoboken Business Alliance (HBA) and the City of Hoboken have announced the recipients of the Water Main Break Recovery Grant Program to businesses that were impacted by the February 2023 water main break. The program, which delivers financial assistance to local businesses offered up to $5K in funding per applicant, totaling almost $52K in aid to 11 businesses including Toastique, R. Fiore Real Estate, The Brick Pizza, Shaka Kitchen, Play Hoboken, The Hive, The Shepherd + The Knucklehead, Brazen Athletics, Anchor Therapy, Christopher Burk, and GTK. Limited funding is being made accessible for a second round of businesses that were impacted by the water main break through the HBA.
Golden Door Dispensary Announces Opening in Jersey City
Photo Credit: Golden Door Dispensary
Golden Door Dispensary will be officially opening in Jersey City on March 15th. The dispensary is located at 638 Newark Avenue. The shop is by Brett D’Alessandro, a local Jersey City resident and Marine veteran. The dispensary will kick off its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 15th at 11AM. Read more about the dispensary here.
Jersey City to Phase Out Right Turn on Red at Some Intersections
We’ve been a national leader in #visionzero focused on efforts to make our streets safer for pedestrians/drivers. This week, we’ll be moving forward with “No Turn on Red” for a number of intersections near schools and parks – we’re starting in the Heights and gradually moving… pic.twitter.com/73gs71yPlL
— Steven Fulop (@StevenFulop) March 5, 2024
In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced that several roadways will be changed to prohibit right turns on red. The effort is part of the city’s Vision Zero plan to make roadways safer. “We’ll be moving forward with “No Turn on Red” for a number of intersections near schools and parks – we’re starting in the Heights and gradually moving south,” the statement read.
City of Hoboken Announces Safety + Traffic Improvements in Southwest
The Bhalla administration, in partnership with Hudson County, will launch the third phase of the Southwest Traffic and Safety Improvement project next month. Per a press release from the City, the upgrades proposed will improve multi-modal safety and further alleviate traffic congestion in Hoboken’s southwest neighborhood. This project is the latest in Hoboken’s Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic deaths as well as serious injuries by 2030. The Southwest Traffic and Safety Improvement Project was initiated in 2017. Since then, the City has implemented new traffic circulation patterns, signal timing upgrades, and installed curb extensions, bike lanes, and multi-way stop control to improve access and road safety.
Jersey City Reveals Reservoir #3 Renovation Plans
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Jersey City officials have announced the plans for a complete renovation of Reservoir #3. The renovations include a complete restoration for a walking path around the perimeter of the reservoir as well as adding lawn and seating areas with the help of the Jersey City Reservoir Preservation Alliance, according to Jersey Digs. The 14-acre space, located just south of Pershing Field Park, was built between 1871 and 1874, and was originally a water source for residents.
Hudson County Fire Departments Among State-Wide Recipients of Federal Grants
Eight Hudson County Fire Departments will receive a total of $433K in federal grants. Per a press release from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, the money comes from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Firefighter Grants program and will go to 353 departments state-wide. Fire departments will use the grant funding to help cover costs associated with the purchases of: protective clothing (turnout clothing ensembles, pants, helmets, hoods, gloves, footwear, etc.); cleaning and advanced cleaning equipment; breathing apparatuses; personal protective equipment (PPE); and other fire and/or virus protection equipment as determined to be appropriate by DCA’s Division of Local Government Services (DLGS).
Liberty State Park Task Force Discusses the Future of the Historic Central Railroad Train Shed
In a meeting last weekend, the Liberty State Park Task Force met before the public to discuss several ideas surrounding the Historic Central Railroad train shed while considering the park’s significance to the community. Some improvements include multipurpose athletic fields, arts, and cultural amenities, rehabilitating and repurposing the train sheds, a public amphitheater, a playground, concession stands, and more, according to the Jersey City Times. The potential projects have sparked debate as the expected costs are upwards of $100M as explained by DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette.
New Operating Hours for Shipyard Walgreens
New hours have been announced for Walgreens, located at 1320 Shipyard Lane in Hoboken. Per Patch, the new operating hours will be from 7AM to 12AM for the store itself, while the pharmacy hours will be 10AM to 6PM Monday through Friday, and 10AM to 5PM on Saturdays. The pharmacy will be closed from 1:30PM to 2PM Monday through Saturday for a meal break, and is closed on Sundays.
Hoboken Fire Department Approved to Hire Eight, Grow Ranks
The Hoboken Fire Department has been approved to hire eight new positions, making the department better equipped to respond to emergencies. According to NJ.com, the new numbers will mean that each truck will have four firefighters on it, which is the recommended National Fire Protection Association standard. When the hiring is complete, the force will have 86 members.
Angelo Seafood Market is Now Open in Hoboken
It’s been over a year since Hoboken’s newest fish market + raw bar first put up signage at 626 Washington Street, but opening day has officially arrived. Angelo Seafood Market, a new venture from popular uptown bar Stingray Lounge, opened its doors on Thursday, March 7th. Click here for more.
Hudson County Commissioner Urges Reform of Tenant Rules, Includes Elevator Fixes
Jersey City Mayoral Candidate and Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2) is asking the council to change safety measures for tenants to include elevator repairs. This comes following multiple elevator outages in buildings such as 630 Bergen Avenue, 2555 Kennedy Boulevard (Boyd McGuiness Senior Citizen Housing), 320 Fairmount Avenue, and 32 Gifford Avenue, which all have pending repairs, making for a dangerous inconvenience for all residents. He plans to amend the law to hold landlords accountable so that the repairs can be made in a more timely manner stating that, “they can either be proactive and address these repairs; or be forced to pay a heftier repair bill,” according to the Hudson County View.
Hoboken LepreCon 2024 Yields Multiple Arrests, Summons, Complaints, + EMS Calls
The annual Hoboken LepreCon bar crawl, which took place on Saturday, March 2nd, was as expected, according to Hoboken spokeswoman Marci Rubin. She also stated that the statistics were consistent with an “average” weekend in Hoboken. The event, which yielded 104 police calls for service, five arrests, four special summons complaints, 22 motor vehicle summons, and 13 bar crawl-related EMS calls for service were reported as detailed by Patch.
73-Year-Old Hoboken Resident’s Exhibit to Be Unveiled at Hoboken Historical Museum on 3/10
Photo Credit: Julio Santiago
Artist and Hoboken resident Julio Santiago has always had a close connection to the arts. He moved to Hoboken in the late 1970s after living in Manhattan (before which he migrated from Puerto Rico) for the bustling art scene. From working as an illustrator to a town painter, Julio is now making a name for himself in his hometown of Hoboken. On Sunday, March 10th, Hoboken Historical Museum will unveil Julio’s newest exhibit titled Lugares de Mi Pueblito, Hoboken: Ayer y Hoy— a Spanish phrase translating to Places in My Little Town, Hoboken: Then and Now. Click here for more.
Hoboken Police Department Receives Grant to Increase Pedestrian Safety
The 2024 Pedestrian Safety Enforcement and Education campaign is in full swing and the Hoboken Police Department is reminding residents to ‘Drive Smart and Walk Smart.’ Per a press release from the department, the program is funded through a $30K pedestrian safety grant from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety and will help the department raise awareness of safe driving and pedestrian habits. The initiative, which will run through September, will allow officers to stop motorists who do not stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. Officers will also be monitoring distracted and careless driving as well as seatbelt violations, issuing summons and warnings as needed. A portion of the fines collected will go towards the New Jersey Pedestrian Safety Enforcement and Education Fund, which focuses on pedestrians who do not use the crosswalks when crossing the street.
Jersey City School Drinking Water Project Enters Final Stage
The Jersey City Public School District’s plan to make safe drinking water available to all students is nearing completion. The project, which delivers water to the schools and is being conducted by Guarini Plumbing, is working to replace the lead service pipes in the remaining 13 schools. Per the Jersey City Times, the existing fountains are being replaced with Elkay water coolers to ensure that clean and safe drinking water is available for all students.
Film Honoring Hoboken Resident Shirael Pollack’s Life Now Available for Streaming
Photo Credit: Timothy James Kay
Hoboken resident Shirael Pollack served as an inspiration to many through her founding + work on the Hoboken Public Education Fund and as an advocate for cancer research. In October 2019, she was honored with a special teaser screening of a film called WOMAN, which chronicles her life and legacy. Now called A Certain Woman, the documentary is available to watch on multiple streaming platforms including Apple TV, Amazon, and YouTube. Click here for more.
GlowBar Opens in Hoboken, Announces Jersey City Location
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Glowbar, a skincare chain specializing in facial treatments, has made its way to the neighborhood, taking over the former Deka Lash space at 612 Washington Street. Click here for more. The chain also announced plans this week for a location in Jersey City at 200 Greene Street in the URBY building, per JC Upfront.
Jersey City Man Arrested in Connection to Multiple Armed Robberies in Hoboken
A Jersey City man was recently arrested in connection to five different armed robberies that occurred at multiple Hoboken businesses in January and February. Per a press release sent out by the Hoboken Police Department, Matthew Trontz of Jersey City was arrested on Tuesday, February 27th, 2024. In addition to this recent arrest, there has been an uptick in crime in surrounding neighborhoods, with other unrelated break-ins, robberies, carjackings, and other crimes reported in Hoboken and Jersey City. Click here for more.
Hoboken City Council Releases Unanimous Statement Regarding Conflict in the Middle East
A joint statement from the nine members of the Hoboken City Council was released in regard to the conflict in the Middle East. Council members from all five wards, including councilmembers at large and executive board members shared the following statement:
“We, as representatives of the City of Hoboken, stand resolutely against all forms of bigotry, hatred, and discrimination, including antisemitism and Islamophobia. As a diverse and inclusive community, we embrace and celebrate our differences while fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding. Recent events have underscored the importance of reaffirming our commitment to combating prejudice and promoting tolerance. We unequivocally condemn any acts or expressions of hatred directed towards individuals or communities based on their religious beliefs or nationalities. As leaders in the community, we hear clearly the expressions of pain of residents of Hoboken and beyond, and we want to ensure there is no spillover of the conflict into Hoboken. We pledge to continue working tirelessly to promote diversity, educate our residents about the importance of mutual respect, and ensure that Hoboken remains a safe and welcoming place for all. Together, let us strive to build a more compassionate society, where every individual is valued and respected.”
The Good Dog Foundation To Introduce Therapy Dogs at Carepoint Health in Hoboken
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Care Point Health in Hoboken will soon be starting certified therapy dog visits in the hospital, according to a press release. With a focus on ICU, PEdiatrics, Staff, Palliative Care, Transitional Care, and Behavioral Health, the program is seeking more dogs and volunteers to start a therapy dog certification program covered by The Good Dog Foundation in Hoboken. The free certification program will begin in April and will certify eligible dogs to serve as therapy dogs at Hoboken University Medical Center. For more information or to apply, visit the website here.
Charges Against Driver in Fatal February 3rd Crash in Jersey City
The Hudson County Prosecutors Office announced via a press release that Amanda Rivera, 28, of Staten Island has been charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter, reckless manslaughter, and assault by auto as part of a February 3rd crash. The crash took place at Route 185 near the Linden Avenue East intersection in Jersey City. Rivera was driving a car that hit a parked, unoccupied tractor-trailer. Rivera and another passenger were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries while a third passenger, Stephanie Weymouth, 31, of Bayonne, was found deceased at the accident site.
Centre Pompidou Hosts Night of Ideas in Jersey City
Local residents and students came together to celebrate the anticipated Centre Pompidou at an event held at Hudson Community College’s library in Jersey City on March 1st. The event, A Night of Ideas, featured performances, dances, exhibitions, debates, panels, screenings, musical performances, workshops, and discussions, and was organized by Centre Pompidou. The Paris museum is building its first American branch museum in Journal Square and is slated to be finished in 2026. The evening was funded by a grant from the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency, which awarded $20K to help offset costs, according toNJ.com. Click here for more about Centre Pompidou coming to Jersey City.
Cangiano’s Marketplace to Open Two More Jersey City Locations
By the end of 2024, Jersey City locals will have not one, but three locations to get their Cangiano’s fix. The Italian deli, market, and sandwich shop is expanding from its original Hamilton Park location to two more Jersey City neighborhoods and expanding its offerings. The Hoboken Girl spoke exclusively with founder Cosmo Cangiano to learn more about the plans. Click here for more.
Jersey City Ranks 5th Among Top Tech Hubs for Living
Jersey City was recently found to be one of the top tech-ranking cities across the country. With a score of 54.938, in a study which was based on 17 factors including livability, education and job opportunities, internet coverage and quality, startup ecosystems, and tech communities, Jersey City came in fifth place ranking just below NYC, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Plano, TX. Jersey City boasted high livability, a thriving tech community, solid internet coverage, and showing promise in innovation and entrepreneurship per a study conducted by Cloudwards, a leading tech publication.
Kong Dog is Open on Washington Street in Hoboken
Since the start of 2024, we have seen countless announcements of new businesses coming soon to both Hoboken and Jersey City. Signage for a new business went up in the fall of 2023 at the former Zero Otto Uno restaurant at 502 Washington Street in Hoboken — and now, Kong Dog is officially open in the Mile Square. Click here for more.
Electrical Fire at Mint Market in Hoboken: What We Know
On March 6th, an electrical fire occurred at a beloved Hoboken boutique. Mint Market, which has locations at 303 1st Street in Hoboken and 339 Grove Street in Jersey City, shared via Instagram that the Mile Square store will be closed temporarily while repairs are made. Over the past 10+ years, the boutique has become a local favorite for clothing (including vintage clothing), accessories, and more. Click here for more.
Hoboken Property Owners Announce Petition For Referendum
The Mile Square Taxpayers Association announced its support for a Public Question (Referendum) that amends the City’s current Rent Control Ordinance during the March 6th City Council meeting that featured all five members of a Committee of Petitioners who are offering the new law, according to a press release. The Petition for Referendum proposes an amendment to the existing ordinance giving property owners the added option to pay a $2,500 fee to Hoboken’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the exclusive use of building new, affordable housing units in the City.
Mayor Bhalla Testifies Against NJ TRANSIT Fare Hike on Behalf of Hoboken Residents
Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla testified on Friday, March 8th at a public hearing held by NJ Transit. According to a press release, Mayor Bhalla’s testimony was against the proposed fare increase proposed by the transit agency. Additionally, he petitioned the agency for more transparency and public hearings while fare increases are under consideration. Click here for more about the potential NJ Transit fare hike.
California Boutique ‘Sirena’ Opening Jersey City Location
Just in time for a Jersey Shore summer wardrobe refresh, California-born Sirena Boutique is opening a location in Jersey City. Opening in 581 Jersey Avenue right next to Dames Coffee, owner Leah Washuta says she’s excited to create a community space for shoppers to chat with a friendly face while putting together a fun outfit. Click here for more.
1st Reported Jersey City Homicide in 2024 Takes Place Overnight
On Saturday, March 9th, 2024 — in the early hours of the morning, a shooting took place in Jersey City, leaving one person dead and two others injured. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office posted a statement on X at 9:07AM, noting that they were investigating the incident in the area of Jordan Avenue and Mercer Street in Jersey City. Click here for more.
