This September was one to remember, especially on its way out the door with record-setting rain and flash flooding in some areas. It’s been another week full of headlines in Hudson County and we’ve got you covered with all of the local news from the past week. Among the highlights: The Hive closes so it can be the set for a Sharpie commercial; a rat infestation shuts down a Jersey City movie theater; and Joey Fatone of *NSYNC is coming to Hoboken next week. Read on for all the news from Hoboken and Jersey City for the week ending October 1st, 2023.
New Jersey Updates Its Anti-Stalking Law: What to Know
Photo credit: Creative Commons
It’s hard to imagine lawmakers agreeing on anything these days, but one bill in particular was passed unanimously by the New Jersey legislature this summer. The bill, S-1517, addresses stalking, tightening up previous laws that left dangerous loopholes for victims. The law was signed by Governor Phil Murphy in July 2023 and will take effect on January 1st, 2024. Read on to learn more about this anti-stalking bill in New Jersey.
Teen Skincare Open House at Hoboken’s Attain Med Spa
Attain Med Spa, located at 720 Monroe Street in Hoboken, announced a free Teen Skincare Open House. The event will take place on Thursday, October 13th. Each one-hour session has 20 slots and pre-registration is required. Attendees will receive swag bags packed with free skincare samples, a skincare cheat sheet to jumpstart their skincare journey, and the chance to talk with the Attain team about how to best manage their skincare concerns.
A Dream Day in Hoboken for Travis Kelce + Taylor Swift
If you’re anything like us at HG HQ, you’ve been inundated by the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce coverage this week. We’re not mad about it: who couldn’t root for two people who look like the platonic ideal of a Prom King and Queen? In honor of the Kansas City Chiefs game against the NY Jets at MetLife Stadium this weekend, we devised a Hoboken dream day for Taylor and Travis based on other celebs who have visited the Mile Square, including Miss Americana herself. Read on for this all-star itinerary for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce in Hoboken, New Jersey.
New Sushi Restaurant Opening in Jersey City
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Nigiri by Honshu, a new sushi restaurant from the team behind Honshu in Jersey City, is opening soon at 95 Greene Street. According to a press release, Nigiri is an omakase and handroll bar — it offers only handrolls (known as Temaki), handroll combinations, and “chef’s choice” Omakase sushi. Similar to Honshu, Nigiri’s chef thrives on creativity, so what diners experience one day may differ from what’s available the next week. Honshu and Nigiri share the same bar, allowing guests to enjoy the same Japanese whiskey collection and a selection of premium and limited sakes.
Hoboken + Jersey City Cannabis Updates
Even though cannabis has been legalized in New Jersey since 2020, the retail market has been a few steps behind. In Hudson County, both medicinal and recreational use sales have begun. In Hoboken and Jersey City, a handful of medical-use dispensaries have opened, and we’re just a few days away from the first recreational sales happening in Jersey City. It’s been a long road for the businesses involved, and there are still many others waiting to open. Read on to learn more about the latest updates on dispensaries in Hoboken and Jersey City, New Jersey.
Hoboken Now Requiring Garbage Cans to Have a Lid
In the past few months, rats have been making headlines here in Hoboken. Silly as it may sound, rodent presence in the Mile Square has noticeably increased, and as residents express their frustration and concerns, the City is taking action to mitigate rat activity. A few months ago, Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher recruited the R.A.T.S. crew from New York who released their trained terriers to hunt and kill rogue rats. Now, the City has launched a garbage compartmentalization program, which took effect Thursday, August 24th. The program prohibits trash at the curb without containerized garbage cans for all properties with 10 or fewer units and all properties with 10 or more units that don’t have space constraints. In layman’s terms, the City is now requiring all trash cans to have a lid. This past Monday, the City started providing residents with new trash cans that are in compliance with the new rat abatement-related trash containerization regulations. Read on for what we know about the City’s new garbage compartmentalization program, which is in effect now.
1/5 of *NSYNC Coming to Hoboken Next Week
Photo Credit: Creative Commons
Since their surprise appearance at this year’s MTV VMAs, famously held at Newark’s Prudential Center, *NSYNC has been everywhere. Of course, everywhere is really nowhere if Hoboken isn’t involved, and it seems at least one member of the iconic 90s/2000s boy band understands this truth. On October 5th, *NSYNC vocalist, reality TV host, and Dancing With the Stars competitor Joey Fatone will visit the Mile Square for a snack-filled tailgate event at Wicked Wolf. Hosted by Heluva Good! Dips, the “No Team Required” tailgate food tour will bring a night of dip samplings, food pairings, and 1/5 of *NSYNC to 120 Sinatra Drive in Hoboken. Read on for details surrounding this upcoming Hoboken foodie event involving *NSYNC member Joey Fatone.
Executive Director of Liberty Humane Society to Step Down
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In an email to supporters, the executive director of the Liberty Humane Society announced that she is stepping down from the position at the end of 2023. Per NJ.com, Irene Borngraeber has been an employee of the organization since 2009 and has been instrumental in expanding the shelter’s operations. A hallmark of her tenure has been the shelter’s regular low-cost spay and neuter events.
Fundraiser at Elysian Cafe to Support St. Jude’s
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Hoboken’s Elysian Cafe, located at 1001 Washington Street, will hold a fundraiser on Tuesday, October 3rd for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. From 5PM to 8PM, kids eat free and adults’ first wine, cocktail, or beer is free. The fundraiser is being held in honor of Hoboken neighbor Satya’s 8th anniversary of her life-saving surgery and her 10th birthday. Happy Birthday, Satya!
CarePoint Health Offers Naming Rights Opportunities
In partnership with its newly formed charitable arm, the Just Health Foundation, CarePoint Health is offering naming rights at its three safety net hospitals and various other naming opportunities to qualified donors. Via a press release, CarePoint Health announced the naming rights on the main hospital tower at $10 million and above and on each of the hospital buildings and various units, departments, and endowed chairs at $1 million and above. The naming rights initiative will support the continued excellence of CarePoint Health’s three safety-net hospitals, invest in cutting-edge technology, recruit top-tier medical talent, and enhance the overall patient experience.
Mayor Bhalla Weighs Congressional Run for 8th District Seat Currently Held by Menendez
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According to the New Jersey Globe, Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla has expressed interest in stepping into the race against incumbent 8th District Representative Rob Menendez. Rep. Menendez is a first-term member of Congress and many view his father’s, Senator Bob Menendez, recent indictment as a threat to his ability to get reelected. In a statement, Mayor Bhalla expressed his commitment to serving Hoboken residents and confirmed his serious consideration of a Congressional run.
Fitness Factory Hoboken Announces Opening Date
In a social media post, the team behind the new gym Fitness Factory announced its opening date will be October 3rd. Fitness Factory took over the Retro Fitness space at 130 Washington Street. Read more in our story here.
North Jersey Artisans Selected for Etsy Holiday Collection
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The Bibi Collective has been selected as part of artist John Legend’s special holiday collection for the craft website Etsy, according to a social media post from the organization. The Bibi Collective is a North Jersey-based organization that helps Afghani refugee women use their traditional embroidery skills to support their families as they build new lives in the US. Handmade, limited edition Christmas stockings from the Bibi Collective are part of the special project.
Jersey City Movie Theater Closed due to Rat Infestation
The AMC Theater in the Newport Centre in Jersey City was closed this week due to a rat infestation, per Patch. The theater owner must pay a $100 inspection fee and the property must be exterminated once a week going forward. The theater was reopened later in the week.
Work Begins on Pathside Building in Jersey City
Work began last week to transform a parking lot at 499 Summit Avenue in Jersey City into a 556-foot-tall tower. Per Jersey Digs, the Pathside building will have 605 apartments with studio, one-, and two-bedroom floor plans. The ground level of the development will have a 3,200-square-foot public plaza.
New Play to Debut at Art House in Jersey City
Art House Productions presents the New Jersey premiere of Stephen Kaplan’s play Tracy Jones, directed by Alex Tobey. The show run begins October 19th, 2023, at Art House, located at 345 Marin Boulevard in Jersey City. Tickets are available now.
Sharpie Commercial Filmed at The Hive
Photo courtesy of The Hive
Uptown Hoboken coffee shop The Hive was closed earlier this week because the colorful space was being used to film a Sharpie commercial. Per Patch, the shop was closed on Tuesday and Wednesday but reopened on Thursday. We’ll keep an eye out when we can see The Hive’s signature pink and green make its TV debut.
NJ Transit’s 40th Anniversary Celebration at Hoboken Terminal
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As part of NJ Transit’s 40th Anniversary Celebrations, a heritage train display will take place at the Hoboken Terminal on Sunday, October 1st from 10AM to 4PM on Track 17. According to a press release from NJ Transit, there will be locomotives in historic liveries, historic railroad cars, and other displays. The event is free and open to the public.
Popular Cafe Gotan Plans Weehawken Location
Popular NYC-based cafe Gotan has announced plans for a Weehawken location, according to a social media post from the company. The cafe is known for its Counter Culture coffee and Mediterranean cuisine with many vegan and vegetarian options. The Weehawken location will open later this year at 2812 Palisade Avenue in Weehawken, joining an incoming Hoboken location and an existing Jersey City location.
Anti-Gay Outburst at Jersey City Gay Bar
Jersey City Police are investigating a patron’s outburst as a hate crime at downtown gay bar Pint, located at 34 Wayne Street. According to NJ.com, the incident took place on Wednesday, September 27th just as the bar was opening around 4PM. A patron confronted staff about it being a gay bar and used anti-gay slurs while threatening them. Owner Wolf Sterling told NJ.com that it was the first time in his 15 years of owning the bar that anything like this had occurred.
Hoboken Cigars to Get New Ownership
After 22 years in business, the ownership of the Hoboken Cigars at 77 Hudson Street will change hands. Sources close to the owner tell HG that the sale of the business is nearing completion. The on-site hand-rolled cigars will no longer be a part of the business. Stay tuned for more information on what’s to come in its place.
Hoboken State of Emergency Due to Flooding
On the night of Thursday, September 28th, 2023 the City of Hoboken sent out a press release regarding the heavy rainfall in the weather forecast for Friday, September 29th. The rain caused major flooding all around the Hoboken area, and the City declared a state of emergency. Read on for what to know and how to stay safe during times like these in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Jersey City Nonprofit Offers Dance Lessons
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The Kennedy Dancers, a Jersey City-based nonprofit organization, will return to the Jersey City Public Schools with the CASPER Program, according to NJ.com. The CASPER Program will see Kennedy Dancer instructors in the schools working with students. The partnership will last for the 2023/2024 school year. The Kennedy Dancers will also teach dance lessons to low- and moderate-income students in Kearny through a partnership with the Kearny Public Library.
