We know you’re busy — which is why we cover the local news to bring you a weekly roundup of everything you might have missed in Hoboken + Jersey City. Catch up on all there is to know, including the following headlines: brand name dry shampoos recalled in NJ; special needs programming expands in JC; Madewell now open in Hoboken; and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Hoboken, Jersey City, + beyond.
City of Hoboken to Host Flood Warning System Meeting
On Wednesday, November 9th, the City of Hoboken will host a virtual meeting about the new Automated Flood Warning System. The virtual meeting is open to the public. According to Tap Into, this new system will help protect the community by sharing information on closed roadways and to discourage unsafe driving during storms.
Hoboken for Responsible Cannabis Alleges Blue Violets Approval Violates City Rules
Non-profit group Hoboken for Responsible Cannabis has filed a lawsuit claiming the City of Hoboken violated its own rules when it approved the location for Blue Violet, per Patch. Located at 628 Washington Street, the proposed shop would be located within 200 feet of two schools — the law stipulates a minimum of 600 feet.
Brand Name Dry Shampoos Recalled in New Jersey
Several brand names, including Dove, Suave, and TRESemmé, have recalled dry shampoo products due to possible high levels of carcinogens, reported Patch. The products in question were produced and distributed nationwide before this month. Retailers have been instructed to remove them from the shelves.
Hoboken High School Athletics to Launch New Academy
The Hoboken High School Athletics Department recently announced plans to start an academy for student athletes. According to Patch, participants in the Future Collegiate Student Athlete Academy will explore the differences between NCAA Division I, II, and III programs and get the chance to speak with alumni who are playing or have played sports at the collegiate level.
Special Needs Programming to Expand in Jersey City
Local officials announced an expansion to programming currently available to special needs residents in Jersey City. According to NJ.com, this expansion includes hiring the first ever special needs recreation programming specialist, Ryan Magee. Also in the works are baking classes coordinated with Hoboken-based Carlo’s Bake Shop.
Barrymore Film Center Opens in Fort Lee
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The new $16 million Barrymore Film Center recently opened its 21,500 square feet of cultural space in Fort Lee, per NJ.com. The 260-seat movie theater seats 260 and includes a museum commemorating New Jersey as the birthplace of film in the United States.
The Hoboken Girl x Flow Initiative Kick Off Period Supplies Drive
Hoboken Girl and The Flow Initiative have set a goal 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. To make this happen, women-owned local businesses throughout Hudson County are coming together to be drop-off spots for period supplies. Click here to find out where you can donate supplies.
Harriet Tubman Gets Memorialized by New Mural in JC’s Berry Lane Park
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Jersey City was actually the last official stop on the Underground Railroad — meaning our area has deep ties to Harriet Tubman. Just recently, a new mural debuted in Berry Lane Park to honor and celebrate Harriet Tubman, painted by Jersey City artist Floyd Simmons. There is a lot of excitement around this new mural as well as the healing garden in Jersey City’s beautiful Berry Lane Park, both made to mark the bicentennial celebration of Harriet Tubman’s birth. We took a visit to the recent ribbon cutting + festival, held on October 22nd, to celebrate Harriet’s 200th birthday. Click here for everything you need to know about the mural.
Fur Seasons Dog Resort Coming to Jersey City
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A new boarding and day care for dogs is opening soon at 480 Johnson Avenue in Jersey City. Fur Season will be open seven days a week for lodging, daycare, grooming, and training. The 6,000 square foot space provides indoor and outdoor play space and includes HD pet cams so owners can check in via live monitoring.
Carlo’s Bakery to Host Decorating Class for Special Needs Community
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Mauro Castano from Hoboken-based Carlo’s Bake Shop will guide a cake decorating class on Friday, November 4th for the local special needs community. According to Tap Into, the class will take place at the Mary McLeod Bethune Life Center, located at 140 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in Jersey City. Individuals ages 10 to 24 are welcome to register for the class that will take place from 4PM to 6PM. All participants should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Waffle It & Co. Announces Jersey City Expansion
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After several successful years on the Jersey City waterfront, Waffle It & Co. is expanding to a second location. The new location will feature waffles and crepes at 232.5 Pavonia Avenue in the Hamilton Park neighborhood, replacing Klado House of Brigadeiros. Click here for what we know.
Novado Gallery Opens New Watercolor Exhibit in Jersey City
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The Novado Gallery recently opened an exhibit by watercolorist Steve Singer, the art pieces feature iconic and lesser-known locations like the Brooklyn Bridge and Big Sur. According to NJ.com, the exhibit will be on display and open to the public until Saturday, November 12th. Novado Gallery is located at 110 Morgan Street in Jersey City.
City Council to Review Affordable Housing Zoning Laws in Jersey City
A proposed affordable housing zone overlay could potentially legalize apartments in Jersey City that are currently illegal. According to Tap Into, local officials have expressed concern over this zoning update citing the potential for redevelopment to eventually do away with single and two-family homes resulting in the opposite intended effect.
Hoboken Cafe to Host Zombie Drag Queen Halloween Event
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On Sunday, October 30th, Uncle Milton’s Cafe is hosting “Sharon” the zombie drag queen for a Halloween celebration, Patch reported. The LGBT-friendly restaurant opened at 1119 Jefferson Street in Hoboken earlier this year. The event will also feature free cupcakes, trick-or-treating, prizes, and dancing.
Jersey City Ranked One of the Best Places to Celebrate Halloween
Per a WalletHub 2022 study published on October 24th, Jersey City was ranked the 7th best place to observe Halloween without breaking the bank. The study compared 100 of the most populated U.S. cities and assessed trick-or-treater friendless, Halloween fun, and Halloween weather. Click here for the details.
‘Around the Sun’ Podcast by JC Resident Launches 2nd Season
Jersey City resident Brad Forenza has released the second season of his podcast, Around the Sun. According to NJ.com, the audio drama features interviews with famous actors and actresses like Trenton-born Richard Kind, Piper Laurie, and Caroline Aaron.
Jersey City Heights to Celebrate Dia de los Muertos
Jersey City will be celebrating Dia de los Muertos in a special celebration beginning on Sunday, October 30th and running through Friday November, 4th. On Sunday, the Riverview Farmers Market will host the 8th annual Dia de Los Muertos Festival (also known as Dias de Los Muertos, since it runs for multiple days) in partnership with local Mexican-American artist Santiago Cohen. Click here for everything you need to know.
New Poké Bowl Shop to Open in Hoboken in Early 2023
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A couple months ago, we reported that a new Hawaiian poké shop called Pokémoto would be opening at 213 Washington Street in Hoboken. According to Tap Into, current plans now have the shop opening in early 2023. The menu will feature signature bowls such as the Hawaiian, Miso Salmon, and Sweet + Spicy Shrimp.
Former Jersey City Medical Center Opens As New Artist Space
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The former site of the Jersey City Medical Center, now known as The Beacon, is opening with an art exhibit called “Crossing the Field: Artists Breaking Boundaries,” per NJ.com. The exhibit will feature the work of local artists and be open to the public beginning on Saturday, November 5th.
Construction to Begin on First Bayfront Building in Jersey City
The Jersey City Planning Board recently approved plans for the first building included in the Bayfront redevelopment, Tap Into reported. The property was acquired in 2018 with the goal to increase on-site affordable housing requirement from 15% to 35% — which is the amount of low- and moderate-income households to be included in the first building.
Madewell Now Open in Hoboken
Add Madewell to the list of new retail outlets in Hudson County. With stores all over the United States, this nationally-known apparel brand is settling down in its 6th New Jersey location. The chain has taken over the former Mattress Firm location on Washington Street, and opened this Friday, October 28th. Click here for what we know about the new storefront.
Physique 57 to Open in Downtown Hoboken
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A brand new fitness studio is coming to downtown Hoboken. Physique 57 Hoboken, which is a franchise business of Physique 57 headquartered in Manhattan, will be opening up at 104 Hudson Street sometime early next year. The studio will feature high-intensity, low-impact barre workouts and will aim to create an upbeat + welcoming environment for locals. We chatted with Physique 57 Hoboken’s owner, Lily Borak, to get the details about this new studio. Click here for all the details.
COVID-19 Rent Relief Program Reopens this Week in Jersey City
Jersey City announced it will be reopening the COVID-19 rent relief program from Monday, October 31st to Thursday, November 10th. According to NJ.com, residents can apply for up to $10,000 help in back rent. The program prioritizes households at or below 50% of the area median income and those with at least one adult who has been unemployed for 90 days. The application is available on the city website.
Service Restored to Hoboken Shuttle Buses After Catalytic Converters are Stolen
On the morning of Thursday, October 27th, bus drivers for Hoboken’s HOP shuttle service discovered that catalytic converters had been stolen from five buses, per News 12. The free service was suspended for a day while repairs were made, and service has since been restored.
JC City Council Approves Sixth Street Embankment Plans
The Jersey City Council approved the Sixth Street Embankment Plan this week, which includes a 60-story luxury high-rise building, per NJ.com. The overall project will transform nine blocks of the embankment into a community accessible recreational space.
Cannabis Retailer Harmony Not Approved to Sell Recreational Marijuana
A local cannabis retailer in Secaucus applied for recreational sale from the state but never made it onto the Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s agenda for October. Harmony, located at 600 Meadowlands Parkway, Suite 15, has made it public for a while that it plans to sell recreational marijuana but has to wait for state approval. According to Patch, the application is still under review by the commission.
