A week of life in Hoboken + Jersey City means there is plenty of news to catch up on. Among the local headlines: the Newport ice skating opens this weekend, Tesla charging stations are coming to North Bergen, Hoboken reports five weeks with no COVID-19 hospitalizations, and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Hoboken, Jersey City, + beyond.
Hoboken Girl’s Best Local Fall Photo Winners 2021 Announced
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Hoboken Girl hosted our 7th annual #FallinLoveWithHoboken contest that ran from October 1st through October 31st and our official winners have been chosen by our judges. Click here to find out the #FallinLoveWithHoboken 2021 winners.
Best of Hoboken + Jersey City 2021 Guide: Nominate Your Favorite Local Businesses
It’s that time of year: the Best of Hoboken and Jersey City 2021 Guide is back! In a blink of an eye, the year is almost over, so now is the best time to think about all of our favorite local businesses and show appreciation by nominating them for an award. As always, we have lots of categories for Hoboken and Jersey City, ranging from the Best Pet Groomer to Best Wellness Spot to Favorite Restaurant. We also have many new categories for Hoboken and Jersey City including Best Tacos, Best Espresso Martini, + more. These reader-selected awards give businesses bragging rights for months to come. Click here for everything you need to know.
Movie Starring Anne Hathaway + Anthony Hopkins Filming in Jersey City This Week
It’s been a busy week in Jersey City for celeb-spotting and movie making. Earlier this week, we reported on The Greatest Beer Run Ever, starring Zac Efron, Bill Murray, and Russell Crowe filming in Van Vorst Park. Hoboken Girl recently found out that another star-studded project will be working in town this week. Armageddon Time stars Sir Anthony Hopkins and Anne Hathaway and will be filming in Jersey City. Click here for everything we know.
Mission 50 Donates $25K, Co-working Space to Support College Entrepreneurship Programs in Hudson County
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Local officials and the Mission 50 team joined together for the official launch of the Mission 50 Innovation and Commercialization Lab in Hoboken this week. Located on the second floor of the newly renovated and rebranded boutique office building and co-working community at 50 Harrison Street, the lab will support the entrepreneurship programs at Stevens Institute of Technology, Saint Peter’s University, New Jersey City University and Hudson County Community College. According to the press release, the lab is comprised of four dedicated offices and a collaboration space in Mission 50’s vibrant co-working hub.
Morgan Freeman Filming at Prato Bakery in Jersey City
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Morgan Freeman has been filming the movie “A Good Person” in Jersey City this week. Prato Bakery shared via Instagram, “What a great and stellar night yesterday! Seeing Prato Bakery transformed in a bar for the movie was interesting. We want to thank all the cast and crew that appreciated our schiacciata sandwiches and cantucci until midnight. We had the pleasure to meet @mauro_fiore_ another example of Italian excellence, Oscar winner for Avatar!! Aaand… cantucci go to Hollywood!”
Essex-Hudson Greenway to Connect Jersey City to Montclair Becoming Reality
There is now a path forward for the proposed nine-mile linear park and greenway that would connect Jersey City to Montclair. On November 12th, 2021, Governor Phil Murphy approved the state’s purchase of the land that will make up the Essex-Hudson Greenway, a project that will revitalize the abandoned Old Boonton Line, create walking, and biking trails, and provide residents easier access to other cities and mass transit. After many years of discussion and debate, this is a significant step forward. Click here to read about the plans and perks of the new nature trail.
Moving Starring Zac Efron Filming in Jersey City
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Zac Efron and Russel Crowe are in Jersey City filming “The Greatest Beer Run Ever” based on a true story of a 26-year-old merchant seaman on a journey across the world to bring beer to his soldier friends in Vietnam. The Foundry Girl shared video of filming that took place this week in Van Vorst Park in Jersey City.
Sol/Society to Host First Hoboken Bazaar in December
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On Monday, December 6th, Sol/Society will host the first ever The Market Bazaar. Sol/Society shared, “A high-vibe, feel-good social experience of sol-feeding goodness will kick off with a little ‘Retail Therapy’! Just in time for the Holidays, attendees will enjoy an evening of discounted purchases on all their fave finds while sharing a spritz with our hand-picked retailers. Saunter the flawless Antique Loft to the sound of soothing beats and take in the intoxicating views of NYC from our Penthouse affair. Feel-good connection while socially aware in a time where we are all craving just that.”
Bed Bath & Beyond Closing TODAY in Jersey City
The Marin Boulevard location of Bed, Bath + Beyond in Jersey City will officially close at the end of the business today. Future plans for the property have yet to be finalized. The store is offering up to 70% off on select items as part of the closing sale. Click here for what we know.
Public Schools Honor Veterans at Annual Event in Bayonne
Bayonne Public Schools honored veterans at the fifth annual Field of Heroes Event on Wednesday, November 10th, reported Tap Into. The event, which included keynote speaker Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Darrow, took place at the Bayonne High School Alexander X. O’Connor Auditorium. Flags, which were purchased for $5, were displayed on the Bayonne High School lawn on Avenue A to honor five New Jersey veterans. The proceeds will go to the Joyce-Herbert VFW Museum.
The Flow Initiative + Hoboken Girl Period Product Drive Runs Through 11/15
The team at Hoboken Girl and The Flow Initiative are working with the community to donate period supplies to at least one school or community center in all 11 towns that make up Hudson County this year. That means reaching last year’s number of 30,000 supplies or more. In Hudson County, 28% of surveyed students reported missing school because they could not afford or had no access to period products.
Donated items can include tampons, pads, panty liners, individually wrapped sanitary products, and heating pads. Donations can be dropped off at Little City Books, Mint Market in Hoboken and Jersey City, NJ Acupuncture, JaneDo, the MAX Challenge, and Word Bookstore. This event will run through Monday, November 15th.
Newport Ice Skating Opening Delayed Due to Warm Weather
Due to warm weather and rain, ice skating in Newport has postponed opening until next weekend. Newport Skates, located at 95 River Drive, is the only outdoor ice skating rink in Jersey City and is officially opening for the 2021-2022 season on Saturday, November 20th. Click here to read more about skating in Newport.
The Cottage x Community Treasures Partner for Thanksgiving Food Drive in Jersey City
The Cottage, together with Tina Nalls and her non-profit Community Treasures, are calling on the community to assist with a Thanksgiving food drive. Non-perishable food can be dropped off at 136 Monticello Avenue in Jersey City through November 21st. For every bag of non-perishable food dropped off, customers will receive a free cold brew OR a free iced tea.
Surf Taco’s Hoboken Location Turning into a Greek Spot Called ‘Plaka Souvlaki’
A new Greek restaurant is in the works. Plaka Souvlaki is taking over the former Surf Taco location on Newark Avenue, and it will be serving up traditional Greek food. This should be good news for those who miss It’s Greek To Me. Click here to read more about Plaka Souvlaki.
Hudson County Nonprofit Waterfront Project Holds Annual ‘Justice For All’ Fundraiser
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The Waterfront Project held its 7th annual ‘Justice for All’ Fundraiser on Wednesday evening, according to Hudson Reporter. This fundraiser was particularly significant for the nonprofit because it had to cancel previous events during the pandemic. The Waterfront Project provides housing counseling to vulnerable residents, which has been increasingly vital to residents struggling because of COVID-19.
Hoboken Church Transforming Bow Tie Cinemas But Keeping a Theater Room
The former Bow Tie Cinemas building will become a multipurpose space for rent. Hoboken Grace purchased the building recently with plans to gut all the rooms except for one theater room in order to create spaces for sports practices, Girl Scout Meetings, and workspaces for local organizations. Once the site plan is approved, the project will take an estimated six months.
Lottery Now Open for Three Hoboken Charter Schools
Three charter schools in Hoboken are now accepting new students through the lottery system until January, reported Hudson County View. Hoboken residents who live in public or subsidized housing or who receive public benefits have an advantage in the weighted acceptance system, which makes children from these families three times more likely to be accepted. The last day to apply is January 6th, 2022, at 5PM.
Parking Space Painting Up for Debate in West New York
Officials defended the parking space repainting project in West New York at last month’s meeting, despite pushback from residents, according to Hudson Reporter. Resident Mark Bloomberg expressed concerns about the project, claiming that it reduced the number of spaces and was not painted well. Officials rebutted that the project, now about 85% completed, saying that it did increase parking spaces and is a response to resident requests.
Spaces Now Up for Rent at The Moxie in Jersey City
Modern studio apartments are now available to rent at The Moxie at Journal Square, per Jersey Digs. These spaces are located just three blocks from the Journal Square PATH station, have lots of natural lighting, and are fully outfitted.
A-Yo Tea Shop Opens in Jersey City
Calling all tea lovers! A new tea shop has recently opened in Jersey City and it has every kind of tea one could think of. Located at 110 1st Street, A-Yo is in a quieter part of town, which makes for a convenient low-key meetup spot for friends. Click here to read more about A-Yo Tea Shop.
Members of Newark Mosque Raise Concerns Over Coming Renovations
Members of the Branford Masjid are not happy about coming residential renovations at the former Chamber of Commerce building, reported Jersey Digs. The building housed a mosque where hundreds of Muslims would pray, but it was purchased last year by Paramount Assets. Many members of the community had emotional ties to the religious center at 20-24 Branford Place, and are pushing back against the proposed changes. Although officials at Paramount Assets have offered to give them space in the newly-renovated space, members of the congregation have rejected the offer because the space would be far too small for their needs.
Hoboken Reports 5 Weeks FREE of COVID-19 Hospitalizations
Although Hoboken residents continue to report COVID-19 cases, none have required hospitalization for five straight weeks, according to a press release. Seventy cases were reported in Hoboken during the last two weeks of October, but the Hoboken University Medical Center has not treated any of them. This is a big improvement compared to the nine patients treated just the month before.
COVID-19 Federal Aid Finally Being Distributed to NJ Transit Agencies
By the end of the year, $14 billion of funding should be distributed to transit agencies in New Jersey, per NJ.com. This decision has come after a ten-month stalemate among the tri-state governors concerning federal aid provided because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The money will be split between Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, which will receive $2.66 billion.
Tesla Charging Stations Coming to North Bergen
Tesla owners can expect new charging stations to appear at 2819 John F. Kennedy Boulevard in North Bergen, according to Jersey Digs. These eight charging stations are projected to be in a plaza off Route 495, which gives more options to travelers going to and from Midtown Manhattan.
House Fire Displaces Family of Four in Jersey City
A family escaped their Bergen Avenue home during a house fire on the night of Monday, November 8th, reported Patch. The New Jersey Red Cross assisted the family of four. The cause of the fire is currently unreported.
‘Dune and Salt’ in Hoboken Moves to Washington Street
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After two years on 12th Street, Dune and Salt has now moved to Washington Street in Hoboken. The apparel and home goods shop released a photo of the new space in an Instagram post this week. This came shortly after Ally Bridal made a similar move up to the main drag. Neighbors can visit Dune and Salt at 730 Washington Street.
NJCU Performing ‘Sweeney Todd’ Live in November
New Jersey City University theater returns live this November with six performances of Sweeney Todd, per Hudson Reporter. Sweeney Todd has been known to be “one of the most infamous and dark musicals ever written” which presents “revenge, love, lust, corruption and cannibalism, all before intermission.” Shows will occur on November 12th, 13th,19th and 20th at 8PM, and on November 14th and 21st at 3PM. Student and general admission tickets can be purchased online or by phone.
NJ Drivers Now Permitted to Present Registration on Electronic Devices
With a new driver registration process approved, gone are the days of digging through the glove box, reported NJ.com. Drivers are now permitted to present registration electronically, via smartphone or tablet, thanks to bipartisan legislation signed by Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday, November 8th.
Hoboken Resident and Cancer Survivor Chris DiNapoli Runs in NYC Marathon
Seven years since his battle with cancer began, Hoboken resident Chris DiNapoli is back to the races, according to Tap Into. DiNapoli ran in the New York City Marathon on Sunday with #TeamTKC (Tackle Kids Cancer) as a way to pay it forward to the pediatric cancer community. Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health created #TeamTKC to raise money for children’s cancer research. Donations can also be made on the Tackle Kids Cancer website.
NJ Weekly COVID-19 Cases and Deaths Report Released
Another 1,354 COVID-19 cases and 16 deaths were reported in New Jersey this week, per NJ.com. Cases increased 2% since last week but decreased 20% since last month. Additionally, hospitalizations and transmission rates continue to steadily decline.
Myron Mixon BBQ to Open This Month in Hoboken
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Five-time World Barbeque Champion, Myron Mixon is bringing his award-winning barbecue to Hoboken with his second location of the signature Myron Mixon Pitmaster Barbeque. According to a message sent via Instagram, the restaurant should open within the next two weeks or so. The menu will feature dry-rubbed barbeque beef, pork, and baby back ribs that are smoked in-house every day and chicken sandwiches, salads, and desserts.
