It’s Halloweekend and the weather forecast is finally cooperating. Between parties, parades, and even pet costume contests, it’s a fun time to be in Hudson County. 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: work begins on flood mitigation project in Hoboken; the Jersey City Council revisits ADUs; and a popular American/Japanese second-hand clothing + lifestyle brand is coming to Hoboken’s Washington Street. Read on for all the news from Hoboken and Jersey City for the week ending October 29th, 2023.
Confirmed: Walgreens in Downtown Hoboken to Close November 7th
Earlier this year, Walgreens announced that it would be closing 150 of its U.S. stores by 2024. As it would turn out, the downtown Hoboken location is one of these fated outposts — though the drugstore giant was elusive with the details. After reader reports indicated that the 101-105 Washington Street storefront (in the old bank) may permanently close, The Hoboken Girl did some digging into the situation. Our research turned into something of a Walgreens goose chase, but nevertheless, Walgreens confirmed that it is closing Saturday, November 7th. Read on for what we know so far about the Walgreens in downtown Hoboken and its potential closure.
The Hoboken Girl Period Supplies Drive 2023
While The Flow Initiative achieved a major success this summer with the passing of Bill A1349 — which now requires schools to provide free menstrual products to students — access to period supplies continues to affect millions globally every day. When looking locally, a study by The Flow Initiative found that approximately 30% of students in Hudson County struggle to access items such as pads, tampons, sanitary wipes, liners, and more each month. The American Medical Women’s Association defines this hardship under the term ‘period poverty.’ In understanding the need for awareness and resources in this space, we have partnered with The Flow Initiative to create Project Local Access, a drive for period supplies to distribute to those in need and the community at large. Read on to learn more about how to support this effort.
Jersey City Barge Fire Extinguished by First Responders
A fire on Sunday, October 22nd was extinguished by a team of first responders from Hudson County, including the Jersey City Fire Department, Bayonne, North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, and the New York Fire Department, according to NJ.com. The fire broke out on a boat that was carrying 100 tons of metal to be recycled at the Sims Metal facility in Jersey City. No injuries were reported.
Hoboken City Council Candidates Answer Your Questions
Fall means election season throughout the country and Hoboken’s city council race is no exception. On November 7th, Hoboken voters will cast their ballots for six of the nine seats that make up the Hoboken City Council. The Hoboken Girl polled all 13 candidates using questions solicited from readers. Read on to learn more about the election and about each candidate.
Jersey City Tenants Prevail in Rent Control Dispute
The Jersey City Rent Leveling Board sided with tenants in an ongoing dispute with the property management in the Portside Towers apartment building. According to the Hudson County View, apartments in the Portside Towers buildings are subject to rent control. The vote amongst the Board was unanimous, and a formal decision is expected in a few weeks.
Jersey City Public Schools Celebrate 150 Years of Service
Jersey City Public Schools celebrated its 150th anniversary with a celebration on Saturday, October 28th. According to NJ.com, the festivities included a tour of the historic Dickinson High School, including a display of historical artifacts related to the school system, and remarks from local leaders. The event concluded with the burying a time capsule to be opened in 2123.
New Study Reveals Significant Positive Economic Impact from Jersey City Arts + Culture Community
A national study revealed that the Jersey City arts community generated $46 million in economic benefit for the region, according to NJ.com. The study factored in the jobs created by these activities, tax revenue, and other patron spending such as on hotel rooms or meals. The study was conducted by the nonprofit group Americans for the Arts, which supports arts in communities across the US.
Opening Date Set for Hoboken’s Newest Bar
Photo credit: Cayla Zahoran Photography
Hoboken is welcoming yet another locale to its food and drink scene. The team behind Halifax has just announced that it is opening a new restaurant and bar experience, called Little Bar. This new local spot will bring a unique European-style experience through cocktails and food in a quaint ambiance. Now opening on November 3rd, Little Bar will be located at 1401 Hudson Street in the uptown Hoboken area. Read on to learn about what we know about Halifax’s newest project, Little Bar.
Wing Bar Opens in Jersey City
Photo credit: Wing Bar
A new restaurant called Wing Bar has popped up inside Taco Bar, located at 684 Bergen Avenue in Jersey City. The team behind the project is Bryan Lewis and Morgan Kulessa, who are both longtime residents of Jersey City and active members of the restaurant scene. The menu focuses on wings, smash burgers, and chicken sandwiches. We hear there are frequently freshly-baked sea salt chocolate chip cookies that are worth the trip alone.
Hoot Couture Opens in Hoboken’s Monroe Center
Hoot Couture is one of the newest spots in the Monroe Center, located at 720 Monroe Street, Suite E508. The store imports clothing from Europe and even makes leather shoes with orthopedic insoles. To match your child’s outfit, Hoot Couture makes bucket hats with bear ears — making it a cute accessory.
Jersey City Woman Dead After Consuming Energy Drinks
A college student from Jersey City died after consuming excessive amounts of caffeine. Per NJ.com, Sarah Katz was a junior at the University of Pennsylvania who passed away after consuming excessive caffeine through ‘charged up’ drinks at Panera, a popular bakery and cafe chain. Her family is located in Jersey City and has sued the restaurant, claiming that the mislabeling of the drinks is dangerous.
Two New Spots Coming to Washington Street in Hoboken
We all know that Washington Street is the central hub for many great businesses. And with the recent turnover, it seems as though there are quite a few spots going up in the next few months. Signage for new businesses has gone up at the former GameStop location at 408 Washington Street, and the former Zero Otto Uno restaurant at 502 Washington Street — and we have the scoop on what will fill these two spots in the coming months. Read on to find out more about Nuts Factory and Kong Dog coming to Washington Street in Hoboken, NJ.
Groundbreaking on Hoboken’s Newest Flood Mitigation Project
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Federal, local, and state officials were on hand this week to break ground on a project that is set to mitigate flooding. According to the Hudson County View, the project is called Rebuild by Design and will cost $297.6 million to build a new pumping station and flood walls. Work began to secure the funding after 2012’s Superstorm Sandy.
Jersey City Discusses ADUs in Master Plan
The discussion on allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in Jersey City continued this week, with the Jersey City Council taking up the topic once again, according to the Hudson County View. While the topic was originally broached in July, the discussion this week incorporated more feedback from city leaders and residents about what would be the best path forward. Supporters say that allowing ADUs could mitigate the current housing situation in Jersey City, with high rents and low inventory.
City of Hoboken + City of Boston partner on Vision Zero Knowledge Exchange
Photo credit: City of Hoboken
The City of Hoboken and the City of Boston have embarked on a new partnership, according to a press release, joining forces under the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Vision Zero Community Pairing Program. This innovative collaboration is set to enhance both cities’ efforts in achieving Vision Zero goals, fostering mutual learning and development of road safety initiatives. The FHWA Vision Zero Community Pairing Program provides a unique platform for sharing information, best practices, and assessing strategies and actions for safer streets. This initiative is dedicated to forging beneficial learning relationships between participating cities.
Imperial Tower in Jersey City Breaks Ground
According to Jersey Digs, work has begun on Imperial Tower, a multi-use building in Journal Square. Imperial Tower will serve several purposes in addition to the residential units. The building will include office space, a Marriott hotel and banquet facility, retail, and a restaurant.
Rate Increase Approved for New Jersey Turnpike + Garden State Parkway
Starting January 1st, 2024, toll rates will increase on the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway. According to NJ.com, Turnpike Authority commissioners approved the rate hike as a way to make the budget keep up with rising costs and inflation. The rates will be increased 3%.
Jersey City’s Nimbus Dance Works Kicks Off Season
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Nimbus Dance Works, a dance company based in Jersey City, will have its first-ever Fall season starting November 3rd and 4th, 2023. According to NJ.com, the group has only had Spring seasons of performances in its 19 years of existence. This season’s offerings include original works and those from international creators.
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla Condemns Hatred Following Israeli Flag Theft from City Hall
Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla, Rabbi Robert Scheinberg, + Business Administrator Jason Freeman raised the Israeli flag following October 20th theft. Photo credit: City of Hoboken
Via a press release from the City of Hoboken, on Friday, October 20th at approximately 10PM, two individuals stole the Israeli flag which was flying at half-staff outside Hoboken City Hall following the October 7th, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel. The City has filed a police report and anyone with information is asked to contact Det. John Quinones at (201) 420-2100 ext. 3182. Today, Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla was joined by Rabbi Robert Scheinberg of the United Synagogue of Hoboken to re-raise the Israeli flag. Below is a statement from Mayor Bhalla regarding the incident.
“I am disturbed by the brazen theft of the Israeli flag, which was proudly flying outside of Hoboken City Hall, in recognition of the lives lost following the Oct. 7th terrorist attack in Israel by Hamas. I want to make it unequivocally clear that we will not tolerate such behavior in our community. Hoboken is a diverse city that has always stood for fairness and inclusivity. We take pride in the fact that our community embraces people from all walks of life and from all corners of the world. Antisemitism, or any form of hatred and bigotry, has no place in our city and we are fully committed to ensuring that every resident and visitor feels safe and respected in Hoboken.”
613-Unit Building Approved in Jersey City
Per Jersey Digs, a new project that will see two towers built with 613 residential units was approved by the Jersey City Council. The building will be located at 619 Marin Boulevard and will have ground-floor retail in addition to 15% of the housing units set aside for affordable housing. This project is just one of several new buildings that will be built on the northern end of Jersey City near the border with Hoboken.
2nd Street USA Coming to Washington Street in Hoboken
Hoboken fashion enthusiasts and shoppers will have a new spot to look forward to as the popular American/Japanese second-hand clothing and lifestyle brand, 2nd Street USA, prepares to open its doors in the Mile Square City. With an opening date just around the corner, the brand is setting up shop at 200 Washington Street, which coincidentally is at the intersection with 2nd Street in Hoboken. This will be 2nd Street USA’s second New Jersey location with the first being on Montclair’s Park Street. Read on for details about 2nd Street USA coming to Hoboken, New Jersey.
Mayor Bhalla + the City of Hoboken Announce Final Draft Concept Design for Maritime Park
The waterfront park will include a skate park, flexible lawn, community building, tidal marsh, and more. Photo credit: City of Hoboken
Via a press release, Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla and the City of Hoboken unveiled the final draft concept design for the future Maritime Park, located at the former Union Dry Dock waterfront property. This concept design builds upon an in-depth analysis of the City-owned site’s existing conditions and directly responds to the preferences expressed by Hoboken residents throughout the series of community meetings and surveys held over the past seven months. The future Maritime Park will create a world-class waterfront park that reflects the significance of the Hudson River in Hoboken’s history and future, through the creation of new maritime-inspired community spaces and amenities, and natural features that increase the park’s biodiversity and resiliency to coastal flooding.
Rumble Boxing Hoboken Hosts Halloween Event, MTV Jersey Shore’s Vinny Guadagnino To Appear
Rumble Boxing Hoboken, located at 1202 Shipyard Lane, is hosting a Halloween event on Tuesday, 10/31. MTV Jersey Shore star, Vinny Guadagnino, is scheduled to appear for a meet + greet and costume contest. The meet and greet will begin at 6:30PM with Vinny Guadagnino from MTV’s Jersey Shore. The Halloween event will include back-to-back classes at 6:30PM and 7:30PM with head trainer, Anthony Crouchelli. To wrap up the night, Vinny will judge a Halloween costume contest and select three winners. All three winners will receive one free month of Rumble Hoboken classes.
Hoboken’s Tessa International School Celebrates UN Day with Remarks from Hoboken Mayor
Photo credit: Tessa International School
Tessa International School, a symbol of cultural diversity and educational excellence, celebrated United Nations Day on October 24th, highlighting its commitment to fostering an inclusive and global community. According to a press release, this joyous event was graced by the presence of Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, who delivered a heartfelt address emphasizing the significance of intercultural education and unity. Tessa International School, located in Hoboken, New Jersey, is home to a vibrant and diverse community consisting of over 200 students hailing from more than 65 different cultures around the world. Each year on October 24th, the school comes together to honor the rich tapestry of backgrounds that make up its student body. The celebration is not only a testament to the school’s dedication to multiculturalism but also a vibrant display of unity and togetherness.
Hoboken Department of Public Safety Offers Safety Tips For a Spooktacular Halloween
As Halloween approaches, the Hoboken Public Safety Department, which is made up of the City’s Police Department, Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), reminds revelers of all ages to follow best practices and tips for a safe and healthy holiday. The Hoboken Police Department asks drivers to reduce their speed, be alert for trick-or-treaters, turn on headlights, stop before crosswalks, and remember that the city-wide speed limit is 20 mph. Click here to read all of the Department’s safety tips for residents.
NJ Mom + NJ Baby Expo Coming to Hoboken
NJMOM.com, the premier New Jersey website for finding the best family-friendly businesses around New Jersey, is hosting its annual NJ Baby Expo on November 12th, 2023 from 9:30AM to 1:30PM at the W Hoboken, located at 225 River Street. Per a press release, the expo will connect parents-to-be and new parents with over 50 premium baby and toddler exhibitors including best-in-class baby gear and accessories, clothing, skincare, local childcare providers, pediatricians, cord blood banking, and more. Throughout the event, parents can test products and take advantage of one-day-only discounts, check out educational demos led by industry-leading experts, enjoy pampering treatments, enter to win thousands of dollars in raffle prizes, including strollers and car seats, and take home VIP swag bags.
Bayonne Medical Center Honors Ambulance Driver
The Bayonne Medical Center hosted a celebration this week to dedicate its ambulance bay to the late Mickey McCabe, the founder of a Bayonne-based ambulance company. Per the Hudson County View, a plaque was installed in honor of Mickey, who was the only ambulance driver in town for several years. He was known for his compassion for patients and dedication to the community.
NJ Department of Health Sounds Alarm over Hoboken University Medical Center Financials
A letter from the New Jersey Department of Health warned leaders at Hoboken University Medical Center that the organization’s fiscal health was in jeopardy. Per NJ.com, the letter called out delayed payments to vendors, operating losses, and cash flow issues as warning signs that the facility would be facing serious trouble. Hoboken leaders were also sent this letter, and many agreed that the hospital needed better funding.
New Cryotherapy, Sauna, + Wellness Center Open in Downtown Hoboken
A new wellness space has opened in downtown Hoboken, adding to the already burgeoning wellness scene. Zen Om Studio is now open at 129 Washington Street, led by owner and wellness expert Rashmina Haslani. This family-owned wellness center features an array of cutting-edge technologies and rejuvenating therapies and is hoping to become a one-stop wellness spot in Hoboken through cryotherapy, sauna, and more, according to Rashmina. Read on for more about Hoboken’s newest wellness spot, Zen Om Studio.
Mayor Fulop + JCPD Increase Enforcement to Hold Repeat Offenders Accountable
Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the Department of Public Safety are increasing enforcement for drivers with $300 or more in outstanding parking fines by booting the delinquent vehicles until the violations are settled. According to a press release, the parking enforcement program looks to hold repeat offenders accountable for creating dangerous road hazards and breaking traffic safety laws. Additionally, using community feedback, the Fulop Administration is increasing enforcement in residential zones to target improperly parked vehicles that unlawfully take parking away from residents and are subject to impound. With this component, the City will free up more spaces for residents.
Hoboken Police Subdue Axe-Wielding Man at PATH Station
According to Patch, a dangerous situation with a man wielding an axe at the Hoboken PATH station was resolved by police. One man was approached by the axe-wielding man in the waiting room of the terminal, and police heard the commotion. Officers used pepper spray to subdue the axe-wielding man after he didn’t comply with instructions to drop the weapon. He was then taken into custody.
I ♥️ Hoboken Giveaway
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St. Matthew Trinity Center, located at 8th and Washington Streets in Hoboken, is hosting a community giveaway to celebrate its new gathering space. The I ♥️ Hoboken Giveaway is happening on Instagram, and entrants must submit their favorite things about Hoboken to be considered to win a three-hour rental at the gathering space. The space can fit up to 50 and has a full kitchen plus an AV setup, making it a great spot for a party, yoga class, baby shower, and more.
Hoboken Road Closures
Via a Nixle alert, neighbors are reminded of upcoming Hoboken road closures. Marin Boulevard, which turns into Henderson Street in Hoboken, will be closed between 18th Street in Jersey City and Observer Highway in Hoboken on weekdays between 9AM. and 5PM. The closure is due to a long-term project by the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority (JCMUA) and will impact traffic in and out of Hoboken’s southern routes, especially during heavy commute times. Please leave extra time for travel in that area.
Murphy to Veto Toll Increases
After considering the issue, I have decided to veto the @NJTurnpike’s proposed budget passed earlier this week.
I am not satisfied with the justification provided for the toll increases reflected in the budget and need more information for why the board is taking this step.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) October 26, 2023
While the New Jersey Turnpike Authority passed a budget that included a 3% increase in tolls, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has vowed to veto it. According to Patch, the toll increase would be the fourth since 2020. The Governor said he was not satisfied with the justifications provided by the Turnpike Authority.
Jersey City Ranks High for Halloween Destinations
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In a nationwide study of the best spots for Halloween, Jersey City was fifth nationwide. According to WalletHub, Jersey City ranked high because of its trick-or-treater friendliness, Halloween fun, and weather forecast. Newark, the only other New Jersey city to be included, ranked 17th.
