The Hoboken Girl Team 
We are midway through October and the holiday season is near. It has been another week of news in Hudson County, and we’ve got all the headlines to get you caught up, as we do every week, from all around the internet. Among the local news: Panela + Perico close in Hoboken; a new boutique nail lounge opens in Port Imperial Weehawken; and the Hoboken High School football team is currently undefeated. Keep reading for all the news in Hoboken + Jersey City for the week ending on October 19th, 2025.
Have a news story or press release? Email it to [email protected] for consideration.
Among the Headlines (read on for the full stories + more):
- Beloved 1st Street Boutique Announces Upcoming Closure in Winter 2026
- Panela + Perico Close in Hoboken
- Stevens Institute of Technology Introduces Free Tuition Program
- Cameron Diaz Filming New Netflix Movie in Jersey City
- Woman Buys Kitchen Knives at Kearny Marshalls to Stab Shopper
- New Hoboken Restaurant Viv + Jules Coming to Former Stewed Cow Space
- Signage Up for New Bookstore + Cafe Àbákẹ́ in Jersey City Heights
- Hoboken Introduces New Protected Bike Lane on Grand Street
- First-Ever Hoboken Docs Film Festival Happening on 11/15
- Dutch’s Sandwich Shop Taking Over Former GreekTown Location in Hoboken
- New Boutique Nail Lounge Opens in Port Imperial Weehawken
Beloved 1st Street Boutique Announces Upcoming Closure in Winter 2026
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Tucked away at 260 1st Street in Hoboken for the past six years, Daisy’s Wearable Art has been a hub for creativity, individuality, and community since its opening in 2018. The space, curated by local artist and longtime Hoboken resident Daisy Arroyo, has built a reputation for showcasing artisan-made clothing, jewelry, and hand-painted paper goods. Recently, Daisy shared exclusively with The Hoboken Girl that she is planning to close the shop for good. Click here for more.
Panela + Perico Close in Hoboken
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A Latin restaurant and the speakeasy-style bar below it have quietly closed in Hoboken. A source close to the spots confirmed the closure of Panela and Perico with The Hoboken Girl. While details are slim as of this writing, it looks like a new spot may be coming to the space. Click here for more.
Stevens Institute of Technology Introduces Free Tuition Program
The Stevens Institute of Technology has announced a program to offer full tuition coverage for students starting in the fall of 2026. The university’s decision stems from its belief that upper-level education should be accessible regardless of affordability. Click here for more.
Mothership: A New Community Art Store + Arcade in Hoboken
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Earlier this year, a new business moved into 257 1st Street in Hoboken. As the year went on, residents watched as the inner workings of Mothership began to unfold. Now, the community arts center and physical media hub, Mothership, opened its doors to the Mile Square, and celebrated its official grand opening on October 11th from 11AM – 6PM. Click here for more.
Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade Happening in Hoboken on 10/25
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Hoboken Community Center’s 4th annual “Howl-O-Ween” pet costume contest and parade, scheduled for October 25th at Sinatra Park, will be hosted in support of the HCC Pantry Programs and to raise awareness around pet food insecurity. Click here for more.
Indian Pizza Chain, La Pino’z, Opening First U.S. Location in Former Monteleone’s Space
India’s “fastest growing” pizza chain is making its way to New Jersey. The international chain, La Pino’z, is opening its newest location in the space which formerly housed Monteleone’s Bakery at 741 Newark Avenue in Jersey City. The India-based chain has expanded to locations open in Canada, the United Kingdom, Dubai, Australia, and Tanzania. The Journal Square restaurant will mark the franchise’s first-ever United States location. Click here for more.
Cameron Diaz Filming New Netflix Movie in Jersey City
Cameron Diaz has been spotted filming in New Jersey for the past few weeks, and sources close to the crew have shared that she’ll be coming to Jersey City next. Click here for more.
Alessio’s Opening New Location in Weehawken on 10/23
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Alessio’s exclusively shared details with The Hoboken Girl about its newest business venture in spring 2025: a third cafe located at 1525 Harbor Boulevard in Weehawken. Now, we know that the new spot will open on October 23rd on the ground floor of The Reserve at Estuary. Click here for more.
Zombie Opera Returning to Jersey City for 2025 on 10/25
Photo Credit: Zombie Opera
Another highly-anticipated event that locals look forward to each year is Jersey City’s Zombie Opera, which will return once again for 2025 with a lineup of professional opera singers. This year’s event will take place on October 25th at 6PM. Click here for more.
New Hoboken Restaurant Viv + Jules Coming to Former Stewed Cow Space
Earlier this year, neighborhood bar The Stewed Cow announced its closure. The space, located at 400 Adams Street, has been quiet for the past few months, but neighbors have recently noticed signs of activity in the space. Owner John Avoletta shared exclusively with The Hoboken Girl that the new concept will be named “Viv & Jules,” and is set to open in the late fall with Chef Cliff Crooks at the helm. Click here for more.
Signage Up for New Bookstore + Cafe Àbákẹ́ in Jersey City Heights
Àbákẹ́ Books + Cafe is a new coffee shop that also serves as a bookstore and an event space for creatives, drawing in all kinds of people with literary and artistic interests. This shop, located at 2 Webster Avenue in Jersey City Heights, will be a bookstore, coffee shop, and event venue, all in one. Signage is up in the space as of October 2025. Click here for more.
Tree Crashes Through Church Square Park Basketball Court in Hoboken
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A tree inside a basketball court in Hoboken’s Church Square Park came crashing down during a storm on October 13th, shattering a glass backboard. Police tape surrounded the court. “That happened overnight during the storm,” said public safety spokeswoman Marci Rubin. She said the damage would be cleared up by October 14th. “Until then, that section of the park will be closed to the public,” she said.
MOJO Coffee Now Delivers Locally Through New App
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MOJO Coffee Company announced in its newsletter this week that it’s now offering delivery. Locals can now order from home through the MOJO app. Click here to download the app.
Hoboken Introduces New Protected Bike Lane on Grand Street
The City of Hoboken announced on October 15th that it will introduce a new protected bike lane on Grand Street. The statement via Nixle and press release included the new bike lane in the launch of the Grand Street Complete Streets Pilot. The redesign plan for the street is part of the City’s Vision Zero Initiative, which aims to eliminate all traffic-related deaths and injuries by 2030. The construction of the bike lane will take place between Third Street and Eighth Street. Click here for more.
First-Ever Hoboken Docs Film Festival Happening on 11/15
Hoboken’s first-ever documentary film festival has arrived and is happening soon on November 15th, 2025. The festival created by two local filmmakers is bringing a new wave of storytelling to the Mile Square and welcomes creators of all kinds to participate. Click here for more.
Dutch’s Sandwich Shop Taking Over Former GreekTown Location in Hoboken
A Montclair-based sandwich destination is putting down roots in Hudson County. Dutch’s Sandwich Shop, located in Montclair, recently shared with The Hoboken Girl that it will be opening up a second location in the former GreekTown space at 86 Garden Street in Hoboken. Owner Amir Kamal shared with us that he is planning to open the new spot this winter. Click here for more.
New Boutique Nail Lounge Opens in Port Imperial Weehawken
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Nail Lounge Port Imperial, a new boutique nail and beauty lounge, opened this week at 1200 Avenue in Port Imperial in Weehawken. The salon features luxury manicures, pedicures, spa rituals, and custom nail art in a relaxing, lotus-themed environment.
Woman Buys Kitchen Knives at Kearny Marshalls to Stab Shopper
A woman who argued with another shopper at Marshalls in Kearny later stabbed her with a kitchen knife that she purchased from the store on October 11th. Per Patch Hoboken, Amber Thompson, 25, of Newark, argued with the other shopper “over the movement speed of the checkout line” around 6:15PM, Kearny police said. When the victim left, Amber bought a set of kitchen knives at the store, then followed the woman into the parking lot and stabbed her in front of her family. When police responded to the parking lot, they found a victim wearing “bloody clothing” and suffering from multiple puncture wounds to the torso. The victim was taken to the hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Police then found Amber in the bathroom “with a kitchen knife lying atop the baby changing station,” per the police statement. Amber was charged with second-degree aggravated assault, fourth-degree endangering, and weapons offenses. She was taken to the Hudson County Correctional facility.
Hoboken High School Football Team is Currently Undefeated
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The Red Wings are the first team in New Jersey this fall to reach a perfect 8-0 mark. Devin McMillan scored three touchdowns as Hoboken defeated Newark Collegiate, 28-6, at Louis M. Taglieri Jr. Stadium in Hoboken on October 16th. Devin ended the big night with a 7-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.
Hoboken to Host Virtual Meeting on Garage B Redevelopment
The City of Hoboken will host a virtual community meeting on October 21st at 6PM regarding a proposed redevelopment agreement between the City of Hoboken and Skylight Residential Group Acquisitions, LLC for the Garage B Redevelopment Area. Per a Nixle alert, under the proposed redevelopment agreement and adopted Garage B Redevelopment Plan, the mixed-use project at 28 Second St. would include a municipal parking garage of nearly 900 parking spaces, approximately 32,000 square feet of commercial space including ground-floor retail, and approximately 400 residential units. Of these units, 20 percent will be designated as affordable housing, with the remainder classified as workforce housing for households making up to 120 percent of the median household income in the region. Community members will have an opportunity to ask questions and comment on the proposal. Click here to register for the Zoom meeting.
Ghost of Uncle Joe’s Returning to Jersey City for 2025 on 10/24 + 10/25
For those seeking a Monster Mash-style Halloween bash, the annual graveyard masquerade ball in Jersey City may be the perfect fit. This spooky season, the Ghost of Uncle Joe’s will be making its comeback on October 24th and 25th at Harsimus Cemetery, located at 435 Newark Avenue. The festival includes live music featuring tribute bands consisting of local performers, drinks, food, and after parties. Proceeds from the event will also contribute towards preserving the historic site. Click here for more.
Renovated Dunkin’ Reopens In Jersey City’s West Side
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A redesigned Dunkin’ has reopened on Jersey City’s west side. Per Patch Jersey City, a ribbon-cutting ceremony with local officials took place at 11AM on October 15th. The newly remodeled, 1,500 square-foot Dunkin’ is open daily from 4AM-9PM.
Petition Delivered to Governor Murphy to Keep Heights Hospital Open in Jersey City
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A petition to keep Heights University Hospital Open was delivered to Gov. Phil Murphy (D) and the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) on October 12th with over 1,500 signatures. The petition, initiated and signed by essential workers, nurses, doctors, support staff, and neighborhood residents, is an urgent plea for the emergency funding needed to sustain operations. The petition highlighted that the hospital is a lifeline for thousands of vulnerable residents, including seniors, Medicaid recipients, the uninsured, and low-income families across Hudson County, who have no other options to receive quality, localized healthcare.
Jersey City Announces Program to Help First-Time Homebuyers Purchase Homes
Mayor Steven Fulop and the city’s Division of Community Development (DCD) announced the awarding of grant funding to help first-time homebuyers earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI) purchase homes through the Golden Neighborhood First-time Homeownership Program (GNHP). Per a City of Jersey City press release, each awardee may receive up to 10% of the home purchase price for a down payment, plus $10,000 toward closing costs, with a maximum subsidy of $150,000 per household.
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Hoboken to Restore Handcrafted AIDS Memorial
The City of Hoboken announced on October 17th plans to restore and relocate the handcrafted AIDS Memorial Ribbon currently located on the third floor of City Hall. Per a City of Hoboken press release, originally created in 1995 by municipal employees, the memorial was constructed as a tribute to Hoboken residents who lost their lives to AIDS and AIDS-related complications.
Now, three decades after it was first unveiled, Hoboken is inviting the public to submit names of additional Hoboken residents who died from AIDS or AIDS-related complications. These names will be incorporated into the updated memorial, which will be relocated to the first floor of City Hall where the memorial was originally unveiled. Submissions should be made online here and include the decedent’s name, picture, a brief memory or obituary, and their date of birth and date of death. The deadline for submissions is November 7th.
Hudson Regional Health to Launch Mobile Health Clinic in Hoboken on 10/22
Hudson Regional Health (HRH), in partnership with the City of Hoboken, announced the launch of its new Mobile Health Clinic, a community outreach initiative designed to bring essential preventive and primary care services directly to residents across Hudson County. The event is taking place on October 22nd at Hoboken City Hall, 94 Washington Street, from 8AM-3PM. The mobile unit will provide flu shots and free blood pressure screenings to community members.
Registration in advance is encouraged. Click here to register.
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NJDEP To Close Parts of 15th Street in Hoboken This Week
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) announced an overnight closure of 15th Street between Garden Street and Willow Avenue on October 20th and 21st from 8PM-6AM for ongoing utility work associated with the Rebuild by Design – Hudson River project’s Resist structure to prevent storm surge flooding. Per a Nixle alert, the intersection at 15th Street and Park Avenue will remain open during work hours.
4th Street Reconstruction in Hoboken Begins 10/20
Beginning on October 20th, contractors will start repairs to a portion of Fourth Street in Hoboken, damaged during a water main break last month. Per a Nixle alert, the construction will require the closure of Fourth Street, from Madison Street to Jefferson Street, during the scheduled work hours of 9AM-4PM. The road will reopen during non-working hours. Vehicles will detour from Jefferson Street, onto Second Street, around the construction area, and back onto Fourth Street at Madison Street. This project, which includes curb, sidewalk, and asphalt repair, as well as paving and stripping, is anticipated to last approximately two weeks.
Update on NHSA Construction at 14th and Grand Streets in Hoboken
Residents are reminded that the intersection of 14th Street and Grand Street is closed 24/7 as part of an North Hudson Sewerage Authority (NHSA) project to improve stormwater management and mitigate area flooding. Per a Nixle alert, drivers traveling south from 15th Street, east of Grand Street, should use Willow Avenue as an alternative. Grand Street is also closed between 13th and 15th Streets during the scheduled work hours of 8AM-6PM. Outside of work hours, including overnights and weekends, Grand Street is open, but to local traffic only, as through traffic in both directions cannot pass the closure at 14th and Grand Streets. During the daytime closures of Grand Street, local garage access will continue to be provided, with the assistance of Hoboken Police officers.
The Westin Jersey City Newport Completes Renovations
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The Westin Jersey City Newport has completed renovations with refreshed guest rooms, suites, and social spaces-including its bar and lounge and newly expanded WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio.
Hoboken Secures Six New Affordable Housing Units
The City of Hoboken announced six new affordable housing units will become available to those on the city’s affordable housing waiting list now that the City Council unanimously approved a settlement agreement with the developers of The Artisan. Per a City of Hoboken press release, the six two-bedroom units are located at 1101 Madison Street and 1110 Jefferson Street. The settlement agreement ends over a decade of litigation regarding Hoboken’s inclusionary zoning ordinance, which requires that 10 percent of units in new residential developments be set aside for low- and moderate-income households.
Hudson County Opens Vocational School in Bayonne
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Hudson County officials celebrated the opening of a new vocational school on the campus of Bayonne High School with a ribbon-cutting and naming ceremony on October 10th. Per a County of Hudson press release, the vocational school will offer career-focused programs in construction, finance, medical and clinical sciences, criminal justice, digital communications, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, carpentry, and cosmetology. The Craig Guy Center is the newest addition to the Hudson County Schools of Technology, a public district comprising middle and high schools that offer career and technical education programming alongside core academic classes.
City of Hoboken Adopts Hoboken Trust Act
The Hoboken City Council officially adopted the Hoboken Trust Act on October 15th, a landmark ordinance that codifies the city’s commitment to being a Fair and Welcoming City for all residents, regardless of immigration status. Per a City of Hoboken press release, the new law makes permanent the protections originally established under Mayor Bhalla’s 2018 executive order, ensuring that Hoboken will not use local resources to assist in federal civil immigration enforcement, will prohibit bias-based profiling, and will guarantee equal access to municipal services for everyone in the community.
Shaka Kitchen of Hoboken Celebrates 9 Years with Free Coffee
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To celebrate its nine year anniversary, Shaka Kitchen of Hoboken is offering a complimentary coffee (hot or cold) with any purchase in-store from October 15th-19th. Shaka has two locations in Hoboken, 720 Monroe Street and 110 Washington Street.
Hoboken Harvest Festival Returns for 2025
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Hoboken residents and visitors attended this year’s Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 18th from 12PM to 5PM at Pier A Park and South Waterfront Walkway. The family-friendly festival featured live music, local vendors, and festive activities. Click here for more.
