It was a week full of sunshine with no rainfall in sight as New Jersey prepares for a possible statewide drought watch. 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: Hoboken’s Plaka Souvlaki is rebranding to TROS Greek Street Food and expanding; the first-ever Jersey City Mac and Cheese Festival is happening on November 2nd; and Hoboken’s hockey rink in partnership with the New Jersey Devils reopens. Keep reading for all the news in Hoboken + Jersey City for the week ending on October 20th, 2024.
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Among the Headlines (read on for the full stories + more):
- Hoboken City Council Approves Rate Changes for Parking Permits Within Municipal Garages
- Bistro La Source in Jersey City Reopens in Former Latham House Location
- Cosmetic + Restorative Tattoo Studio, Reprisal, Opens in Hoboken
- Special Edition Jersey City-Themed Monopoly Board Game to Launch in Stores Soon
- Jersey City Police to Join Mental Health Crisis Response Program
- 1850s Historic Hoboken Home on Third Street Demolished
- Hudson County Seeks Members for First Ever LGBTQ+ Task Force
- Matt Damon + Steve Yeun Spotted at Dear Maud in Hoboken
- New Gelato Cafe + Bakery Coming to Hoboken
First-Ever Jersey City Mac + Cheese Festival Taking Place on 11/2
Jersey City will host its first-ever Mac + Cheese Festival on Saturday, November 2nd. This festival will feature the best mac + cheese creations from local restaurants, including classic bowls of the noodle dish to creative versions featuring the variety in JC’s restaurant scene. Click here for more.
Jersey City Police to Join Mental Health Crisis Response Program
Jersey City police will participate in a statewide program to help them better respond to a person having a mental health crisis. Per Patch Jersey City, the police were criticized in 2023 when they responded to the home of Andrew Washington after his family called 911 for help. Andrew was shot to death by an officer. Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced last week that Jersey City will be Hudson County’s second municipality, in addition to Bayonne, to participate in the Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation (ARRIVE) Together program.
The Hoboken Girl’s Week of Wellness is Here: Download the Guide
To help you with your fall refresh and introduce you to some new businesses, The Hoboken Girl is hosting a Week of Wellness 2024 through Sunday, October 27th. Our downloadable guide includes over 45 local Hoboken and Jersey City businesses, ranging from medspas and mental health practices to fitness studios and healthy food spots, that have deals exclusively for The Hoboken Girl readers both in-person and online. Click here for more.
Hoboken City Council Approves Rate Changes for Parking Permits Within Municipal Garages
On September 4th, the Hoboken City Council approved rate changes for several parking permits within the Hoboken municipal garages. Per a Transportation and Parking press release, the rate updates will be implemented on November 1st. In addition, the City Council approved annual rate changes of 3% or the Consumer Price Index (a proxy for inflation), whichever is lower. These prices are expected to increase again on January 1st, 2026.
Special Edition Jersey City-Themed Monopoly Board Game to Launch in Stores Soon
The classic board game, Monopoly, is being revamped for a special Jersey City edition that will hit stores by the end of 2024. Per Jersey Digs, game manufacturer Top Trumps announced earlier this year that it would create a Jersey City edition of Monopoly under a license agreement with original publisher Hasbro. The Jersey City version of the game will feature customized Community Chest and Chance playing cards plus tailored Monopoly money. Jersey City nonprofit organization, The House of Faith, Inc., announced on its Facebook page that it’s currently taking pre-orders for the game. Each board is $45 and all proceeds will go towards the nonprofit for the homeless in Jersey City.
Two Men Charged With Theft of $350k From Jersey City Church
Two men from Franklin Lakes have been charged with the theft of $350,000 from a Jersey City church. Per the Jersey City Times, Christopher Poppe, 35, and Glen Poppe, 65, were arrested in Secaucus and released pending their first court appearance, tentatively scheduled for October 15th. St. George + St. Shenouda Coptic Church, located at 835 Bergen Avenue in Jersey City, hired Centurion Companies, a business associated with defendants, to perform construction work. Falsified records were submitted to the church indicating that the third-party contractors had been paid when in fact, the money had not been dispersed to the contractors.
Matt Damon + Steve Yeun Spotted at Dear Maud in Hoboken
Photo Credit: @iwantmoni
In recent years, Hoboken + Jersey City have become lovely places for stargazing — and by stargazing, we mean celebrity spotting, of course. With increased state efforts to establish New Jersey as a prominent filming hub comes increased appearances from even more prominent A-listers. This year alone, Hoboken + Jersey City have welcomed Jennifer Lopez, Timothée Chalamet, and Blake Lively. Matt Damon (Good Will Hunting, The Talented Mr. Ripley) + Steve Yeun (Beef) were spotted dining at Dear Maud in Hoboken on Wednesday, October 16th. Click here for more.
Man + Woman Found Dead in Hoboken Sky Club Condos
The Sky Club Condos in Hoboken announced the “untimely death” of two residents in an email message on October 10th, after police reported a man and woman were found dead. Per Patch Hoboken, an initial investigation found the deaths were not criminal in nature. No foul play is suspected and there is no public threat related to this incident. The New Jersey State Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the exact cause of death.
Cosmetic + Restorative Tattoo Studio, Reprisal, Opens in Hoboken
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Reprisal, a cosmetic and restorative tattoo studio, recently opened at 95 River Street in Hoboken. The owner shared with The Hoboken Girl team that services include powder brows, nano hyper-realistic brows, lip, blush, eyeliner, scalp micro pigmentation, and more.
Jersey City Marathon 2025 is Happening on 4/13
Runners, mark your calendars for Sunday, April 13th, 2025 because the third annual Jersey City Marathon (and Half Marathon) is coming back to town. While the event is still a few months away, runners are already preparing to take over the streets for the big day and registration is open. Click here for more.
Hockey Rink in Partnership with New Jersey Devils Reopens in Hoboken
Photo Credit: City of Hoboken
At the March 20th Hoboken City Council meeting, a contract formalizing a partnership between the City of Hoboken and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils was approved. The Devils’ contributed $240,000 for the renovation of the Multi-Service Center Roller Rink at 124 Grand Street in Hoboken. Following the approved partnership earlier this year, work officially started on the renovated rink on August 19th. Now, the rink has officially reopened as of October 15th. Click here for more.
Jersey City Man + Woman Arrested for Attempting to Break into Bayonne Building
Two people from Jersey City were arrested on October 11th for attempting to break into a Bayonne building. Per the Hudson County View, Kenneth Dowdy, 43, and April Sanders, 50, both of Jersey City, were each charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Additionally, Kenneth was charged with criminal attempted burglary and possession of burglar’s tools, while April was also charged with conspiracy to commit burglary. Both were transported to Bayonne Police Headquarters where they were charged accordingly.
There’s a New Gelato Cafe + Bakery Coming to Hoboken
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An NYC-based shop serving up Italian gelato, coffee, and baked goods will debut in the Mile Square soon, and we’re sharing what we know so far. Julietta Gelato Cafe will be located at 5th and Washington Streets in Hoboken, and looks to open by the end of the year. Click here for more.
Jersey City’s The Curtain Releases Production Photos of Jamie Ballard As ‘Macbeth’
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The Curtain, Jersey City’s premier classical theater, released production photos from its adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth on October 16th. The show stars West End and Royal Shakespeare Company actor Jamie Ballard (‘Harry Potter’ in …The Cursed Child on the West End) in his American stage debut as ‘Macbeth.’ The Shakespeare classic is playing at Nimbus Arts Center, 329 Warren Street, in downtown Jersey City with performances set to continue through November 3rd. Click here for tickets and more information.
Hoboken’s Plaka Souvlaki is Rebranding to TROS Greek Street Food + Expanding
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Plaka Souvlaki, a Greek restaurant in Hoboken, is rebranding to TROS Greek Street Food and expanding with new locations in Jersey City and Harrison. The restaurant shared on Instagram that the food will remain the same. “From grilled meats to vibrant veggies, our street food classics are here to stay — just with a new name and even more places to enjoy them.”
Hudson County Executive Guy Announces Vision Zero Meetings
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy announced four Vision Zero community meetings: one virtual and three in person in Harrison, Union City, and Bayonne. The first three meetings took place on October 15th, 16th, and 17th. Per the Hudson County View, during these meetings, county staff was on hand to highlight Vision Zero outreach efforts, provide briefings on the latest updates, and answer any questions regarding the initiative. The fourth and final meeting will take place on October 24th, at the Woodrow Wilson Community School, located at 101 W 56th Street in Bayonne, from 6:30PM to 8:30PM. Registration for this meeting is encouraged but not required and potential attendees can sign up here.
1850s Historic Hoboken Home on Third Street Demolished
Photo Credit: Hoboken Historical Museum
After Hoboken historian Jim Hans died in 2023, his family decided to sell the home on Third Street that they’d owned since 1976, a rare single-family house in the mile-square city. Per Patch Hoboken, the spot was cleared this month, revealing old brick and wood structures around it. A notice on the house next door says the area is now a “high theft area.” Hoboken Public Safety spokeswoman Marci Rubin said that the police did not put the sign there.
City of Hoboken to Expand Fall Art Programs for Children + Teens
Mayor Ravi Bhalla and the Hoboken Division of Cultural Affairs announced on October 17th the launch of new art programs for youth and teens this fall. Per a City of Hoboken press release, the programs, available to children ages 1-16, will run from November 4th through December 19th at two locations: the Multi-Service Center Senior Room at 124 Grand Street and the ResilienCity Park Community Room at 12th and Adams Streets. The programming will provide a variety of classes including Art in the Park, Fashion and Upcycling, Dance, Sewing and Design, and more.
Bistro La Source in Jersey City Reopens in Former Latham House Location
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Among the many American and Italian restaurants dotting the map of Jersey City sat a unicorn in Paulus Hook called Bistro La Source. This past summer, we found out that this beloved French restaurant would be moving from its 85 Morris Street location to a new locale on Marin Boulevard in Jersey City. Now, Bistro La Source has officially reopened at 299 Marin Boulevard, in the former Latham House location. Click here for more.
CH Martin to Close in Jersey City Heights
CH Martin in Jersey City is hosting a liquidation sale at one of its last remaining stores. Per Jersey Digs, the company’s store in the Heights at 256 Central Avenue is currently providing 20% off the entire store as part of its closing. The storefront is already listed as available for lease which follows the closing of the Downtown store along the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza earlier this year. The CH Martin in Journal Square will soon be the only location in operation.
Hoboken Police Department Promotes 10 Officers
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The Hoboken Police Department promoted seven new sergeants, two new lieutenants, and one new captain at a ceremony held at the Stevens Institute of Technology on October 15th. Per the Hudson County View, 15 recently sworn-in officers are currently assigned to field training, while six new hires are currently at the Police Academy to help fill the positions vacated by those promoted. The Hoboken Police Department anticipates hiring another class of officers who will enter the academy early next year.
Jersey City Teen Fatally Shot in Greenville
A 19-year-old man was fatally shot on October 11th in the Greenville neighborhood of Jersey City. Per Patch Jersey City, Kashyne Grant was shot near Garfield Avenue and Brown Place shortly before 5PM. He was taken to Jersey City Medical Center with an apparent gunshot wound to the upper body and pronounced dead just after 10AM on October 14th. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit and the Jersey City Police Department are investigating the incident, and no arrests have been made.
Hudson County Seeks Members for First Ever LGBTQ+ Task Force
Hudson County is seeking 15 members for the first-ever LGBTQ+ Task Force, which will have the aim of eliminating discrimination, promoting acceptance, as well as advocating for increased dignity and visibility of LGBTQ+ people. Per the Hudson County View, the task force will be comprised of members who have a strong understanding of LGBTQ+ issues and a passion for making Hudson County more inclusive and will meet once in each quarter of the year. Residents can apply here and applications will remain open until November 12th.
Bayonne Man in Critical Condition After Hit-and-Run Accident on Route 440
A 25-year-old Bayonne man is in critical condition after a hit-and-run on Route 440 near the intersection of 22nd Street on October 13th. Per the Hudson County View, responding officers located a male victim, later identified as a 25-year-old Bayonne resident, with life-threatening injuries. The striking vehicle did not remain at the scene. The man was transported to Jersey City Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition.
Bayonne to Renovate Baseball Field for Children with Special Needs
Local, county, and state officials and dignitaries gathered in Bayonne to celebrate the construction of a new and improved “Field of Dreams” located at 11th Street and Avenue E. Per Jersey Digs, the $2.4 million project will renovate the baseball field for children with special needs. The renovations include new dugouts, bleachers, fencing, a play area, and improved handicap access. Bayonne received funding for the construction from county, state, and federal governments as well as local developers.
Jersey City Approves New Development in Paulus Hook Neighborhood
Jersey City’s Planning Board officially green-lit a proposal in September for 215 Van Vorst Street. Per Jersey Digs, the 5,000-square-foot property sits just outside the Paulus Hook Historic District within the Tidewater Basin Redevelopment Plan. Weckenmann Architecture’s project slated for the land calls for a building that rises five stories and just over 55 feet. The design of the development is intended to emulate a historic industrial appearance consistent with structures that once occupied the area. A potential groundbreaking date for the project has not been announced.
The Ghost of Uncle Joe’s Returns to Jersey City
The Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery on 435 Newark Avenue hosted the annual The Ghost of Uncle Joe’s, a Halloween masquerade fundraising ball to benefit the preservation of the site. The event took place on October 18th and 19th and featured performances from local musicians and food from food trucks local to Jersey City. Click here for more.
City of Hoboken to Plant 300 Trees in Public Spaces
The City of Hoboken is creating a Division of Urban Forestry and planting 300 new trees in public spaces. Per NJ.com, the City has invested heavily in expanding park space and adding underground storage for flood prevention, but this will be the first effort of this scale in recent years focused exclusively on its tree canopy. Hoboken’s new tree-planting program is thanks to a $1 million federal grant through the Inflation Reduction Act. The city will gain 300 new trees on public property, and it will employ both youth and adults to focus on tree maintenance.
Updates on Fire at Jersey City Urby on 10/14
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On October 14th, a fire occurred at 200 Greene Street in downtown Jersey City. The fire took place in the space that houses the Japanese restaurant DOMODOMO and is on the ground floor of the Urby apartment building. Click here for more.
Hoboken Harvest Festival Takes Place for 2024 at New Location
This year’s Harvest Festival took place on October 19th from 11AM to 5PM at 770 Jackson Street Plaza and Seventh + Jackson Resiliency Park. The festival featured a variety of vendors, artists, and a new beer garden. Click here for more.
Jersey City Gang Member Sentenced to 19.5 Years in Prison
A member of a Jersey City gang associated with the Marion Gardens Housing Complex was sentenced today to 234 months in prison for racketeering, violent crimes in aid of racketeering, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses. Per the Jersey City Times, Jervon Morris, aka “Sticky,” 35, of Jersey City, had previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi in Newark federal court to racketeering conspiracy and related crimes. In addition to the prison term, Jervon was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
NJCU + Mercer County Community College Establish Transfer Deal for Students
New Jersey City University and Mercer County Community College have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a transfer agreement for students of both institutions. Per the Hudson County View, NJCU and MCCC will adopt specific program-to-program pathways under dual admissions to facilitate the transfer of credits. All application fees for transfer students into NJCU will be waived. In addition, students transferring from MCCC to NJCU as part of the joint program will be eligible for transfer scholarships.
New Social Club for Kids + Parents, The Bunny Hive, to Open in Hoboken
Photo Credit: @beatificvisionsphotography
The Bunny Hive, a new kid-friendly social space for both kids and their parents, will make its debut on November 9th at 1001 Bloomfield Street, the former home of Field Colony. The new spot looks to nurture the bond between little ones and their grown-ups while providing opportunities for relationship-building and socialization with others. Grand opening classes are available to book for Saturday, November 9th on the website. Click here for more.
Jersey City Man Dies in Fatal Greenville Fire
The Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force is investigating a fatal Jersey City fire that occurred on 121 Garfield Avenue on October 16th. Per the Hudson County View, upon arrival, emergency responders found fire coming from a third-floor bedroom of a three-story residential building. Firefighters located an injured man, later identified as Pablo Renta, 56, of Jersey City. He was transported to Jersey City Medical Center where he was pronounced dead just before 7PM. This matter is under investigation by the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force and the Jersey City FD. Foul play is not suspected at this time.
New Bagel Shop, B Bagels, Soft Opens in Downtown Jersey City
The bagel scene in Jersey City is small, if we're being honest. But over the last year, a few new bagel shops have entered the growing dough scene. The newest addition is B Bagels, which soft-opened today, Wednesday, January 15th at 367 Grove Street in downtown Jersey City. Read on for more about the newest bagel spot in Jersey City, New Jersey.
The Details
The B Bagels news first came from JC Upfront, which covered the story in March 2024 when signage went up, though B's had originally posted on its Instagram in January 2024. The article noted that limited information was available at the time, but it appeared that kettle-boiled, hand-rolled bagels, coffee, and other pastries along with an array of cream cheeses would be available.
Read More: OrGovia: A New Chilean-Puerto Rican Fusion Restaurant in Hoboken
When we first reported on the spot in October 2024, its Instagram hasn't been updated since early 2024 and there was no website — but the spot seemed to have a ghost kitchen operating out of 400 Newark Street in Hoboken found here.
B Bagels shared with The Hoboken Girl back in October that they were aiming for a late October/early November opening.
We now know that B Bagels has officially soft-opened in Chilltown as of Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 — just in time for National Bagel Day. Our friends over at HDSID shared the news of the opening on Tuesday, January 14th via Instagram. See the full post below.
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Originally, B Bagels shared the news of its official JC location in January of 2024:
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The Jersey City Historic Downtown Special Improvement District (HDSID) also shared in October that progress was underway at the new bagel shop. See the full post below.
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Other bagel shops are notably joining the ranks in Jersey City: Cheech’s Bagels is a new bagel concept opening at 176 Erie Street in the Swift + Co. building — near Hamilton Park. The owners behind Cheech’s Bagels are Gianluca Fernicola and John Ballan, lifelong friends and Jersey City residents who saw a need for more bagel options in the area. Meanwhile, a recent turnover was City Bagels, which opened and quickly shuttered its doors within a few months' time. Bread Stone itself is now noted as temporarily closed on Google.
Will B Bagels stick? The bagel lovers certainly hope so. Here's the full growing list of bagel spots in Jersey City from our archives.
See More: The Best Bagel Spots in the Montclair Area For Your AM Bagel Run
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