Isiah Christie 
The beauty of Hoboken and Jersey City is the ability to find inspiring, caring people around every corner. From business owners to artists, the residents are what give the cities their character. Each month, The Hoboken Girl highlights 10 individuals making a difference in the community. Read on for a list of people to watch in Hoboken + Jersey City for October 2025.
Chris Cragin-Day | Artistic Director of Hoboken’s Mile Square Theatre
Photo Credit: Chris Cragin-Day
Hoboken’s Mile Square Theatre has been led by a great group of artistic directors throughout its history, and Chris Cragin-Day is the newest to join that list. Chris’s knowledge in theater leadership comes from her extensive background in the field, and she is dedicated to bringing that expertise to MST and its future works.
Chris’s history in theater traces back to her teens, when she moved to Oklahoma after growing up in China. There, she earned a BA in Theater and Psychology from Oklahoma Baptist University, and found involvement in playwriting, directing, and acting afterward. In the present day, Chris credits her family for enhancing her creativity and leadership. “I have encountered real, raw humanity through motherhood,” Chris shared with The Hoboken Girl. “It strengthens my writing and enables me to be a better artistic director.”
And alongside her personal growth, she is dedicated to expanding the reach of MST as well. Chris believes that the competition the theater faces is not with other theaters, but society’s fixation on technology. As a result, she has encouraged an initiative for MST to add adult acting classes, improv classes, and other afternoon events to bring in the community. And with that, Chris’ vision will contribute greatly to the growth of Hoboken’s culture.
Keep up with Chris and her work with MST on its website and Instagram.
Read More: Aging in Hoboken: How 3 Local Women Navigate Life in a Youthful City
Danny Murphy | Co-Creator of Virtual Reali-Tea
Photo Credit: Page Six
Danny Murphy is a Hoboken resident who is well-known for his social media presence and recent ventures in podcasting and comedy. During the pandemic, when the lockdown stopped Danny from performing stand-up and hosting live comedy shows, he found a niche interest in making social videos and reality TV recaps. Years after launching his first podcast in 2022, he has recently hosted his first awards show with the Virtual Reali-Tea (VRT) awards, under Page Six Radio.
“Reality TV, to me, checks every box I need in entertainment,” Danny told HG. “The people on the shows really open up and give the audience their all, which I respect — and as an interviewer, that makes it so much more fun and engaging to talk to them.” Danny sees reality TV as a relatable, outlandish way to enjoy light entertainment, and his goal with the VRT awards was to honor those in the industry.
With the VRT awards complete and considered a hit, Danny has cemented his place as one of Hoboken’s greatest local success stories. “I dreamed of maybe, one day having my own show on Sirius,” Danny said when asked about what his past self would think of his current career. “And somehow, luckily, that day has come.”
Hoboken businesses Danny would give awards to: Baking Mama, The Drip Fitness, Elevate Pilates, and Otok Bakery
Keep up with Danny and Virtual Reali-Tea on Page Six’s website and Instagram.
Maricarmen Antigua | Current Owner of La Bodega in Jersey City Heights
Earlier this year, Dominican restaurant La Bodega celebrated 30 years in Jersey City Heights. At the helm now is Maricarmen Antigua, who carries on her family’s legacy with care, detail, and an eye toward the future.
After Maricarmen and her husband graduated from Rutgers University, they decided to take over the family business. “My husband and I really thought about what’s working and what’s not,” Maricarmen told HG. “The reality is that the Jersey City Heights community has evolved. We didn’t have a lot of people coming in for groceries anymore. People were really coming in for the food.”
As a member of the Jersey City community, Maricarmen loves to support other small, local businesses in the area. Towards the back of the store is a section called La Bodegita. Not only does she keep Dominican foods in stock, but she also sells local goods from New Jersey businesses.
Keep up with Maricarmen and La Bodega on Instagram here.
Isabella Isotti | Founder of Bellwell
Photo Credit: Isabella Isotti
Hoboken resident Isabella Isotti is the founder of Bellwell, a creative online business that sells handmade greeting cards and prints. “For me, creativity is wellness,” Isabella shared with HG. “So, beyond creating my own art, I also love connecting IRL and hosting creative wellness workshops that help people slow down and experience the simple joy of creating something by hand.”
Isabella draws inspiration for her art from anyone working to make a positive impact, “whether it’s disrupting an industry or taking time to be kind to a stranger,” she said. “That’s why I started making greeting cards, because I think something as small as sending a handwritten note has the ability to brighten someone’s entire day. We could all use a little optimism. I want my work to inspire people to slow down, be more present, and make time for the things they love.”
As Isabella says, “creativity has the power to reduce stress and increase dopamine, and really ground you in the present moment.” For this reason, Isabella is planning to develop a series of creative wellness workshops where everyone can take time to unplug, meet members of the community, and create something fun.
Isabella’s local favorites: Bwè Kafe, Alfalfa, Ken Pilates, Gotan
Business owners Isabella looks up to: Shayna of Shay Dough, Jordan + Joelle Hernandez of Double Dough, and Briana of Brinana Pudding
Keep up with Isabella and her handmade greeting card business on her Etsy and Instagram.
Joanne Simmons | Silver Sculptor
Photo Credit: Joanne Simmons
Joanne Simmons is a UK-born and Jersey City-based jewelry designer and the founder of Silver Sculptor. She creates architecturally inspired sterling silver jewelry, which often includes custom pieces made with heirloom metals and stones. To Joanne, jewelry is more than decoration. “It can be a vessel for memory, an expression of strength, or a reminder that they matter,” she said.
Joanne is inspired by architecture, clean lines, and geometry, but even more so by the stories people bring to her. “When I make custom rings from heirloom metals and stones, I’m reminded that jewelry can hold memory, strength, and connection,” Joanne said. “The idea that I can transform something old, sometimes overlooked, into a piece that helps someone feel seen and celebrated keeps me inspired…If my work inspires someone to hold onto their story and wear it with pride, that would mean everything.”
Alongside running Silver Sculptor, Joanne has been raising money for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research through physical challenges. “I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in 2023, ran the NYC Marathon in 2024, and this year, I’ll be summiting three volcanoes in Guatemala,” she said. “My work and fundraising are both about transformation, turning raw materials or daunting challenges into something meaningful.”
Joanne’s local favorites: Sushi by Bou, Acuworx, Grove Street Bicycles, Jane Do, + Love Locked (Note from HG: Grove Street Bicycles closed on November 18th, 2025).
Business owners Joanne looks up to: Jacey of Jane Do and Kerry of Love Locked
Keep up with Joanne, her jewelry business, and fundraising efforts on her website and Instagram.
Derrick Ladson | Hoboken Educator, Thrift Store Owner, + Advocate
If you live in Hoboken, chances are you know Derrick Ladson — but if not, you’ll now be able to see his face on a mural on Jackson Street.
Derrick was recently honored among a host of other influential, longtime residents for his significant contributions to the community. Among said contributions, he’s been an educator for over 20 years, owns a thrift shop in town (Thrifted by J+D, which he owns with his husband), and sits on the Hoboken Arts Advisory Committee.
He’s Hoboken-born and raised, and has dedicated much of his life here, giving back to the city that raised him. About the new mural, Derrick told The Hoboken Girl that he hopes local residents feel “community, love, and an appreciation of art.”
Keep up with Derrick and his many Mile Square ventures here.
Kristina Thomas | Founder of Paper + Flowers
Photo Credit: Kristina Thomas
Kristina Thomas is the founder and CEO of Paper + Flowers, a women-owned and women-run boutique event decor studio in Jersey City that specializes in handcrafted florals and oversized props. She launched Paper + Flowers in 2019, “armed with nothing but an Instagram page and a bold outreach strategy,” she shared with HG. Passionate about creating eco-conscious alternatives to traditional florals, Kristina believes that paper flowers offer the same beauty and elegance as fresh blooms, without the environmental waste. Today, Paper + Flowers sells handmade florals, customizable foam sculptures, and kinetic props.
“Through both our artistry and our mission, I want to show that sustainability and beauty can coexist, and that women—especially mothers balancing family and career—can build and lead impactful businesses,” Kristina said.
Beyond Paper + Flowers, Kristina is a regular contributor to Forbes, acting as a virtual mentor to other women looking to pursue their own entrepreneurial careers. Paper + Flowers can be found at Narra Collective, located at 333 Washington Street, Floor 3, Jersey City.
Kristina’s local favorites: Dream Vista, Sam A.M., The Roxy, + Satis Bistro Bar
A business owner Kristina looks up to: Sheila Burmistrova of Narra Collective
Keep up with Kristina and her event decor studio on her website and Instagram.
Molly Jayne | Founder of The Lace Apron
Photo Credit: Molly Jayne
Molly Jayne is a long-time worker in the fashion industry, with experience working New York City’s Curve trade shows. Her latest venture, The Lace Apron, is a fashion lifestyle business, with a focus on lingerie and intimate apparel. Molly’s goal is to encourage a happy spirit and community connections. “What inspires me most is the way lingerie and fashion can transform how someone feels about themselves. It’s not just about what you wear, but the confidence it gives you”, she shared with HG. Molly wants her customers to feel beautiful, nourished, and motivated to embrace their version of confidence.
Molly lives in Jersey City and loves the area, with an appreciation for the balance and involvement it brings. “You get the small-town community feel with incredible local businesses, while still being just a quick ride into New York City for all the culture and inspiration it has to offer. It feels like the best of both worlds,” she said. And now, The Lace Apron is part of that local community as a heartfelt outlet for embracing confidence.
Molly’s local favorites: Eggs Up, The Grind Shop, Ed + Mary’s, Onieal’s, Into the Void, Galatea, ZeroKid
A business owner Molly looks up to: Gilly of Galatea (Note from HG: Galatea closed at the end of 2025.)
Keep up with Molly and her fashion business on her website and Instagram.
Patty Drumgoole | Former Hoboken Educator
After a 32-year career with the Hoboken Public School District, which includes ten years as a middle school special education teacher and 22 years as a high school social worker, Patty Drumgoole retired this past June. She was one of only two employees ever granted a sabbatical to complete a graduate internship at NYU, founded the district’s first Ski Club, directed the Even Start Family Literacy Program, and pioneered the use of animals to support students’ emotional well-being.
“What I am most proud of is my reputation as a fierce special education student advocate,” Patty said. “My voice was, no doubt, irritable to administrators whose agenda was contrary to mine, but certainly appreciated by parents and students who needed the extra support. Though I never had children of my own, I am indebted to the many mothers and fathers who shared their children with me. These kiddos are my biggest pride and joy.”
Now embracing a new chapter, Patty is planning to enroll in an extended language immersion course in Spain. When she returns, she plans to travel across the U.S. with her camper, Dolly Gypsy, sharing her adventures via social media. “As I move into retirement, my hope is to continue to inspire others to remain curious about the world around them, use their voice to affect change, and seek whatever it is that truly brings them fulfillment!”
Patty’s local favorites: Bangkok City, Belo Bar, Jun’s Macaron Gelato, Il Tavolo di Palmisano
Business owners Patty looks up to: Frankie Palmisano of Il Tavolo, Mellisa of Baked by Melissa
Keep up with Patty and her future adventures on her Facebook and Instagram.
Stacey Sottolano | Owner + Artist of Enchanted Spaces
Photo Credit: Stacey Sottolano
Stacey Sottolano is the owner and artist of Enchanted Spaces, a custom 3D artwork business that aims to spark joy, imagination, and color in children’s rooms. Stacey’s work is designed to bring playfulness and charm into family spaces, making the average wall look like a magical, unforgettable backdrop.
“I’m inspired by the small, joyful details that can turn an ordinary room into a place where imagination runs free.”, Stacey shared with HG. Her goal is to bring a sense of wonder to children and their families, inspiring them to celebrate creativity and joy. To Stacy, decoration is more than just the visuals — it’s about creating memories and stories for every moment.
A business owner Molly looks up to: The Local Girl
Keep up with Stacey and her artwork on her website and Instagram.
See More: Local Resident Michelle Garatina Launches New Cafe in Nutley
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