A week of life in Hoboken + Jersey City means there is plenty of news to catch up on. Among the local headlines: plans have been approved for a southwest pop-up park in Hoboken, the Bayonne Superintendent reported a COVID-19 outbreak this week, progress is being made on the Jersey City Pedestrian Plaza, and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Hoboken, Jersey City, + beyond.
The Healing Center Coming Soon to Hoboken
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The Healing Center announced it will be opening a location in Hoboken in the near future. The Instagram post said, “THC is your new favorite space to come and experience healing. Through connection, meditation, and movement we experience how glorious self-healing can be when we do it with intention through love. Your path is unique and it holds many gifts some disguised as hard times. Together we use mindfulness to grow blessings out of challenges. The choice is yours. Come discover where your own transformation can lead you. Start your healing journey here. Welcome to The Healing Center 💚”
Poor Man Vegan Opens in Jersey City
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The new vegan spot, Poor Man Vegan opened recently at 90 Monticello Avenue in Jersey City. The creative genius behind Poor Man Vegan believes that eating vegan doesn’t have to be expensive. The Instagram account says, “We’re here to show you delicious, vegan food that is filling and budget friendly!” The shop sells cupcakes, cheeseburgers, empanadas, brownies, and other goodies, all made without animal products.
The Green Room to Open Uptown Location
We got word this week that local CBD shop, The Green Room, will be opening on June 4th. The Green Room has locations in Hoboken, Montclair, Jersey City, Redbank, and a new location in the West Village scheduled to open soon.
First Annual Jersey City Mural Festival Scheduled in June
The Jersey City Mural Festival will be held June 5th and June 6th to celebrate vibrant public art, foster community, and benefit local small businesses affected by the pandemic. Work by more than 50 artists will be featured in the festival including a new large-scale mural by celebrated artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya.
“We started our Mural Arts Program seven years ago, and to be here today announcing the inaugural showcase for our esteemed public arts program is a testament to Jersey City as a known destination for international artists as well as the incredibly talented artists who live and work here,” Mayor Fulop said. “This festival aims to uplift our local businesses, while also inspiring creativity through the shared experience of public art with our first large-scale event in over a year.”
Elite Kickz, Run By 14-Year-Old Resident, Opens 2-Month Pop-Up Shop in Hoboken
Back in July, Joseph “JoJo” Petruzzelli, a then 13-year-old eighth-grader, combined his love for sneakers and the Hoboken Jubilee Center by hosting a pop-up sneaker store to raise funds for the recreational center. After the success of the pop-up event, Joseph was able to expand to a larger location for a longer period of time at 407 Washington Street. The pop-up will be active for about two months and has already opened its doors. Customers can find the latest, must-have sneakers on the market. Click here to read more about Joseph and what to expect at his shop.
Hudson House of Play to Close Next Month
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We recently heard from our readers that the Hudson House of Play is planning to close permanently on June 1st. The indoor park spot and imagination play zone has served the children of Hudson County with a clean, colorful place to play with siblings and friends. The play space is located at 40 Riverwalk Place in West New York.
How to Win a Staycation at The George in Montclair
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Tucked away on a quiet street in Montclair is a stunning hotel that once belonged to a prestigious family in another century. The George is a historic turn-of-the-century property that was completely restored into a 32-room chic boutique hotel owned and created by none other than beauty icon Bobbi Brown and her husband Steven Plofker. Located in the duo’s hometown at 37 N Mountain Avenue, The George is so much more than just a charming, stylish hotel, it’s an experience that everyone should discover for themselves. We have teamed up with The George to host a one-night stay for a lucky winner (room for 2) plus goodies from Bobbi Brown’s brands Jones Road and Evolution 18. Check our Instagram page @thehobokengirl for the contest guidelines and enter for a chance to win a free visit to this gorgeous inn!
BYOB Candle Making Experience Comes to Jersey City
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ReWAX and Unwine is a family-owned business that creates and sells handmade organic coconut wax candles and hosts candle-making classes for guests to try their hand at creating their own. The owners, Ashley and Femi, educate themselves by participating in advanced candle workshops, joining fragrance discussion groups, and staying up to date on the candle industry, according to a statement on the website. Click here to read more about this new local spot.
LGBTQ+ Lounge Headroom Closed Permanently
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On Wednesday, May 26th, the LGBTQ+ lounge Headroom announced its permanent closure via Instagram. More information about the sudden closure was made available later that night. According to the video, one of the company partners wanted to violate the agreement to allocate all entertainment funds to the entertainers and entertainment coordinator. Following further discussion, the decision was made to close the lounge for the foreseeable future.
DRIP Coffee Truck Offers Rhythm + Brews in Montclair
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A new food truck has opened in Jersey City but it’s a little different than the average food truck since DRIP Coffee + Culture Co. serves up coffee and pastries while playing 90s R&B. In a Facebook post this week, our reader Tatiana Ilnicki shared, “So excited and proud of Eric! 4 years ago he said “I want to open up a coffee shop that plays hip hop music all day” fast forward to this week we have a coffee TRUCK open for business!!!! We’ve been living around coffee accessory and gadget boxes for months 
finally serving people rhythm + brews 
all over jersey city! Watching lines form today was amazing, proud of this guy!!! Daily cup of rhythm and brew.”
Jersey City School Board Considering Replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous People’s Day
The Jersey City Board of Education is considering swapping out the controversially-named Columbus Day holiday for Indigenous People’s Day, per NJ.com. “The question is do you remove Columbus Day altogether or do you put both,” Board Of Education President Mussab Ali said. “I am pretty committed to at least making it both on the calendar, but let’s see what happens.”
Hoboken’s Movies Under the Stars is Happening This Summer
After the cancellation of the events last year, locals will be thrilled to know that not only is the St. Ann’s Festival returning for the 2021 season – so is Movies Under the Stars. This yearly Hoboken event brings together residents and visitors alike to enjoy some of the most popular films ever made. Mayor Bhalla announced that the Movies Under the Stars in Hoboken is happening this summer and will take place in the usual Pier A location as well as 7th and Jackson. Click here to read more about the much-anticipated series.
Hoboken’s Beloved St. Ann’s Festival is Back for the Season
After the year we’ve all had, there’s nothing more important than some sense of normalcy returning. One of Hoboken’s oldest, and tastiest, traditions is returning this year: St. Ann’s Festival is back for its 111th year in Hoboken. Get ready to stuff your face with zeppoles, chocolate-covered Oreos, and sausage and pepper sandwiches. Click here to get the rundown on everything you need to know about St. Ann Festival’s return to Hoboken for its 111th year.
New Boutique Travel Agency Opens in Jersey City
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With wanderlust at an all-time high and the world gradually opening up to Americans, now is the time to start planning. Co-founded by twin sisters and long-time Jersey City residents Stephanie and Jessica Rizzolo, SETTE is a boutique travel agency specializing in curating personalized journeys around the world.
Hoboken Teen Supports Social Justice through Apparel Line
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Narina Girotra, a 13-year-old from Hoboken, has launched an apparel line to raise awareness for social justice causes, per Patch. Girotra said she wanted to channel her interests into a productive pastime during the pandemic. Her small business is called Shop for Social Justice, and she hopes to raise awareness and support movements such as Stop AAPI Hate and Black Lives Matter. All of the apparel and accessories have been custom-made.
Hoboken Fire Department Under New Leadership
Former Fire Chief Anton Peskens has again been sworn in as acting fire chief while Fire Chief Brian Crimmins has been placed on administrative leave, per Hudson Reporter. The reason for the Crimmins’ leave is unknown, and he had been serving as Fire Chief since October 2018. Chief Peskens was sworn in on May 18th.
Hoboken’s ‘Art in the Park’ Registration Reopens
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The popular “Art in the Park” outdoor classes have reopened registration for children ages 1-4, per Patch. It costs $45 and includes five 45 minute classes. The five-week program includes a craft activity, storytime, music, and more.
Hoboken Resident Reported Missing
A Hoboken man has been reported missing by his family, per Tap Into. Andrew Belov, 58, was reported missing Tuesday afternoon. He is 6’1” and about 175 lbs, last seen on May 24 wearing slippers, green pajama pants, and a grey long sleeve shirt with green sleeves. Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Hoboken Police Department.
City Council Approves Pop-Up Park
The Hoboken City Council has approved the construction of a temporary park for the warmer months, per Jersey Digs. The temporary park, designed by Kimley Horn, includes a basketball court, an area for hopscotch, a playground, picnic tables, pickleball courts, and a community garden area. The pop-up park will be constructed on a surface parking lot next to an existing green space at 111 Paterson Avenue.
Jersey City Approves Development of 373-Unit Journal Square Estates
Jersey City is adding another high-rise to its skyline, as the Jersey City Planning Board approved the revitalization of a 29,000 square-foot property, per Jersey Digs. The building at 3085 John F. Kennedy Boulevard will be revitalized, as the current one-story structure has not been in use for at least a decade. The new development will consist of two 12-story buildings rising 130 feet and including 373 residential units.
World War Homecoming Centennial in Hoboken
This week marks a somber anniversary in the history of Hoboken. Over 5,000 coffins containing the bodies of American soldiers, sailors, marines, and nurses who had died fighting in WW II arrived in the city’s port on May 23rd, 1921. Click here to read more about the role Hoboken played during wartime.
Downtown Jersey City’s New Development on Grand Street
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The new development at 460 Grand Street brings 82 rental homes to the market, including world-class amenities and leasing incentives, per Jersey Digs. This luxury building has a 24-hour doorman, valet parking, bike storage, a package room, and two elevators. Each home has oversized layouts, floor-to-ceiling windows, and premium finishes as well.
NYC’s Jackdaw Coming to Jersey City
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The ownership behind the popular restaurant Jackdaw are taking over space in Mile Square City, per Jersey Digs. Hoboken’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board heard an application to transfer the liquor license registered to 205 First Street to a company called Host VP NJ, LLC. A public notice on the license transfer says that the space intends to operate as a Jackdaw, which has garnered some positive Yelp reviews since its opening in 2019.
Jersey City Kids Bike Ride Happening
The Jersey City Kids Bike Ride is coming up on June 12 and kids and families are getting ready to ride through the city, per Patch. The Kids Bike Ride is meant to encourage families to explore the city’s bike lanes. The Ride will have tents along the lanes that will include giveaways like bike helmets, bells, coloring books, and crayons.
Man Enters Hoboken Garage, Steals One Item
A man trespassed into the garage of a residential building and stole a scale model race car, per Patch. Police say that the man entered the garage around 1AM. on May 23, took the race car, and fled. The man is described as being of stocky build, wearing a yellow t-shirt, a black hat, dark shorts, and black Adidas sneakers.
Five-Story Luxury Building Opens in Jersey City
A new luxury building called The Agnes officially opened on May 25th, on Jersey City’s West Side, per Patch. The building boasts 145 units, 75% of which are already rented. The building has over 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities. Rent starts at $1,568.
NJ Transit Unveils Electric Bus Plan
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NJ Transit has unveiled its new electric bus plan, but it has to compensate for the low battery range, per NJ.com. The ambitious plan includes two pilot programs running buses in Camden and Newark, adding charging equipment to bus garages, and redesigning bus routes. The agency is following Governor Murphy’s mandate that all new bus purchases will be electric or other zero-emission buses by 2032.
Bayonne Firefighter Injured During 3-Alarm-Blaze
At least one firefighter has been injured battling the 3-alarm fire on West 27th Street in Bayonne, per NJ.com. The fire was first reported at 3:40 p.m. on May 26. The home that caught on fire is separated from neighboring homes by only alleyways on both sides and is a two-story wood-frame building with a brick porch facade.
Developer Sues Jersey City for Revoking Permits
Developer Moshe Sugar is suing Jersey City and public safety director’s aide Mike Manzo for pulling his permits, per NJ.com. Sugar claims that Manzo vindictively revoked his permits to “teach him a lesson.” The 10-page lawsuit was filed in Hudson County Superior Court on May 24. It says Sugar made a mistake and corrected it quickly, but Manzo revoked permits for both of his projects due to the mistake.
Stevens Students Team Up to Help Local Food Truck Amanda Bananas
Most residents of the Mile Square know Amanda Bananas as the delicious, vegan soft-serve food truck located on the colorful walkway leading up to Pier 13. What we recently learned is that this small local business partnered with a group of innovative Stevens Institute of Technology seniors who offered up their time as part of an extensive senior year project to help the team — and fans of the food truck — have a much easier summer. Click here to read about what these five students invented for Amanda Bananas owners this past semester.
Turtle Back Zoo Offers Free Admission in Exchange for First Vaccine Dose
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Anyone getting the COVID-19 vaccine on June 4 at the Turtle Back Zoo will also receive free admission to see the animals, per NJ.com. Only visitors receiving their first dose that Saturday between 10AM and 2PM will be eligible for free admission. The hope is that those who are hesitant about getting the vaccine will feel incentivized to get it.
Jersey City Approves Apartment Complex-Hotel Hybrid
Developers will construct a 12-story apartment complex with a hotel component just across the Morris Canal Basin from Liberty State Park, per Tap Into. The Jersey City Planning Board approved the plan on May 18th. This project will introduce a combination of dwellings and commerce to the Liberty Harbor neighborhood, as well as 193 residential units, seven hotel rooms, retail, and a parking garage.
Jersey City Students Win High Marks at National Math Competition
Three students from BelovED Community Charter School in Jersey City competed against 20,000 national students during MathCon per Tap Into. MathCon was held virtually due to COVID-19, but that didn’t stop these students from earning high marks. Vincent Munishi, a 6th grader, Shrihan Chourikar, a 7th grader, and Marcel Quinones III, a 7th grader were all finalists, and Chourikar earned an Honorable Mention nationally.
Bayonne Superintendent Reports Coronavirus Outbreak
Superintendent John Niesz told parents recently that there had been outbreaks of COVID-19 at multiple schools in the district per NJ.com. Schools in the Bayonne district will not be going to a four-or-five day in-person schedule due to these outbreaks. Students returned to the school using a hybrid schedule after spending the last 14 months in virtual learning.
Local Farmer’s Markets Prepare for 2021 Season
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The Bayonne Farmer’s Market will return for the 2021 season on June 1st at 2PM per, N.J.com. It will operate on Tuesdays from 2PM-7PM through November. The Historic Downtown Jersey City Farmers’ Market is open all year-round every Monday and Thursday from 4PM-8PM while The Uptown Farmers Market will return on Saturdays from 9AM-2PM through the fall.
Senior Center Reopens in Hoboken
The Hoboken Senior Center in Hoboken has been closed since March 10, 2020, before any locally confirmed cases of COVID-19 had been recorded. On May 27, 2021, the Center held a grand reopening to celebrate the Center is made available to the city’s senior population again. The reopening featured a spring BBQ for seniors hosted by the Hoboken Department of Senior Services. Currently, 95% of Hoboken seniors 65 years of age and older have been provided with at least a first-dose vaccination, among the highest rates in the State of New Jersey.
NJ to Launch Emergency Broadband Benefit
This week, the Jersey City Housing Authority and Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced the start of the Emergency Broadband Benefit. This initiative will support digital inclusion as part of a new Federal Communications Commission program. Enrollment is now open for the benefit, which helps lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. All JCHA residents are eligible for the program.
“Now more than ever before, digital access is a central part of everyday life; however, low-income urban communities have disproportionately limited internet access and often suffer compounding effects,” said Mayor Steven Fulop. “Everyone deserves equal access to opportunity regardless of income level, and this program will help close the digital divide to ensure kids can do their schoolwork, residents can improve income potential, and families can utilize telehealth services, among many other enhanced economic and social opportunities.”
Roig Experience: A New Kind of Art Class
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Local artist, Ricardo Roig has launched a tw0-hour hands-on printmaking class in Hoboken. Students will learn to make a limited edition of 2 hand-cut 8×10 prints. According to the Roig Collection website, classes are limited to four registered students who are each permitted to bring a friend. The first 16 students to sign up receives a complementary fragment. Only four classes are currently available for June.
Salt + Seed to Launch Dinner Service in June
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This week Salt + Seed announced its new dinner service beginning next month. The Instagram post said, “We are so excited to announce Salt + Seed Dinner Service coming in June. Stay tuned! How to make reservations + details coming this week. We can’t wait to have dinner with you!”
Jersey City Pedestrian Plaza in Progress
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On Wednesday, May 26th the Upfront Jersey account posted an update via Instagram on the progress being made at the pedestrian plaza outside 210 Hudson Street in Jersey City. The post said, “Managed to get a quick shot of the new pedestrian plaza outside 210 Hudson. The new plaza stretches from Bay Street to Columbus. Traffic on the opposite side of the Light Rail stop is still open.”
One12 Hoboken Opens Outdoor Dining
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The onset of warmer weather brings dining to the outdoors. The outdoor dining setup at One12 is now open, per an announcement made on Instagram this week. “Our Parklet & Our Backyard Patio are both OPEN! Come and enjoy a great meal in a beautiful space.”
Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Inches Closer to Opening
In a recent development, the restaurant location at 618 Washington Street in Hoboken has signage up on the door and a ‘Now Hiring’ sign outside. Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster BBQ serves up traditional BBQ dishes and sides. Patrons can expect to see brisket, pulled pork, chicken, ribs, appetizers, cocktails, and more.
7Shifts Raises $21.5M
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The Hoboken-based workforce technology company, 7shifts has raised $21.5M in funds slated to help rebuild the restaurant industry, per Restaurant Business. 7shifts helps restaurants operate smoothly by handling scheduling and staff communication. Pictured above, Co-Founder and CEO Jordan Boesch and VP of Sales and Head of U.S. Operations Preston Junger.
“As the industry rebuilds, there has never been a more important time for restaurants to get more visibility into labor to improve long-term performance and profitability,” said Jordan Boesch, CEO of 7shifts.
Little Hoboken Launches Birthday Basket Kit
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In an Instagram post this week, Little Hoboken wrote, “Imagine not being able to give your child a birthday cake or not having enough money for even a small gift for them. Most of us are fortunate enough to not have to think about purchasing or making them a cake, watching their eyes light up at a bunch of balloons, and watch them tear open the paper on the gift you know they’ll love. Presenting the Birthday Basket! We are donating birthday kits to the @hobokencommunitycenter and need your help with sponsorship!”
The Cottage to Donate Portion of Proceeds to Palestinian Children
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In an Instagram post, The Cottage wrote, “More homemade items in our cold case and a portion of proceeds will go to help @thepcrf stay tuned for more items to come once our veggies are ready to pick at the farm!”
Neighborhood Cleanup Events with Clean Green Jersey in June
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Clean Green Jersey has announced four dates for neighborhood cleanup events in Hoboken during the month of June. A map of the anticipated cleanup areas can be found in the Instagram post. The post reads, “Blue ♻ icon is the meetup point on cleanup day. Shaded areas are what we are striving to get through. The more people we have, the more beautiful we can make Hoboken look and the healthier we all live.”
6th Borough Salon Reopens in Hoboken
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This week 6th Borough Salon, located at 133 Madison Street in Hoboken, announced they are open again for appointments. The Instagram post read, “Yaaaasssss it’s official! We are now open for business at 133 Madison Street! Call, DM, or book online. We missed you 💕”
