The Mile Square has an ever-changing landscape of businesses — while some local favorites like Charrito’s and Zero Otto Uno have closed in the past year, new establishments are constantly popping up all over town. Most recently, Hoboken welcomed its first tattoo shop in over 25 years with the opening of Hachiko Tattoo at 1 Newark Street. Jackson Street is also seeing an influx of new businesses coming soon, all located within one block of each other. The lineup includes two new fitness spots and two new eateries, joining Black Rail on the 700-800 block. Read on for what we know about the four new businesses opening on Jackson Street in Hoboken — Body Fit Training, BYRD, Gotan, and Stretch Lab.
Body Fit Training | 770 Jackson Street
Body Fit is Training (BFT) is an instructor-led, small-group training studio that is set to open at 770 Jackson Street on the first floor of the 7 Seventy House building. Each workout is “custom-curated” to each members’ fitness goals, with an instructor leading 50-minute class programs that vary between different fitness focuses like cardio, strength, functional, and core stability. No opening date has been revealed yet, but signage has been up since mid-August, and the website displays that it is coming soon. Read more in our article here.
Read More: Hoboken McDonald’s Temporarily Closed for Renovations
BYRD | 800 Jackson Street
BYRD, a new venture from the team behind Millburn’s Common Lot, will take over the space at 800 Jackson Street that has seen several businesses come and go in recent years. Described by the team as having a relaxed atmosphere that will serve globally-inspired food, the restaurant will also feature a wine list and cocktails. More progress has been made in the past few weeks, signaling that the new eatery is taking steps towards opening. Read more from our chat with the BYRD team from November 2023 here.
Gotan | 770 Jackson Street
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Gotan originated in Tribeca, and has since expanded to Weehawken and Jersey City, with another location coming soon to Hoboken. The cafe will also be located in the 7 Seventy House building at 770 Washington Street, and serves up high-quality Counter Culture coffee — including cold brew, espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, and more — as well as Mediterranean cuisine and specialty drinks like mint lemonade. The Hoboken cafe was first slated to open in winter 2023, but a “coming soon” sign at the storefront points to it opening before long. Construction has been very active in the last few months. Gotan opened up shop in the Palus Hook neighborhood of Jersey City in early 2023 at 198 Van Vorst Street, and has a limited menu of what the NYC store serves. Read more in our article here.
Stretch Lab | 770 Jackson Street
The third business opening in the 7 Seventy House building soon, Stretch Lab — not to be confused with Stretch Recovery Lounge, which is now at 223 Bloomfield Street Suite 101 — will open up to the right of Body Fit Training at 770 Jackson Street. The HG team spotted signage up earlier this week, and the website shows that it is coming soon. Stretch Lab provides one-on-one assisted stretches and has over 900 licensed locations around the world.
See More: Essex County’s New + Incoming Businesses | Spring 2024
Several other new businesses are opening up shop in the Mile Square soon. Village Hoboken, a new cannabis dispensary owned by Orange native and NBA veteran Al Harrington, is looking to open this summer at 516 Washington Street. A new diner-inspired eatery from the team behind Barbès and La Boheme, called Cafe Tati, is taking steps towards opening at 233 Clinton Street. A new medical spa, 4Ever Young, is taking over the former Verizon store at 1204 Bernard McFeeley Shipyard Lane. Alessio’s also recently announced a new indoor/outdoor all-day restaurant, Terrace by Alessio’s, that will open up adjacent to the Northwest Resiliency Park at 1201 Madison Street this spring.
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Hanukkah 2024 Events + Treats in Hudson County and Beyond
This year, Hannukah, a Jewish holiday celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, starts on Wednesday, December 25th, and ends on January 2nd, 2025. Whether you're looking to attend events before the holiday or during, there are all kinds of gatherings for the Jewish community in Hoboken, Jersey City, and beyond the coming weeks. The Hoboken Girl has rounded up a list of Hanukkah-related events, and — as a bonus — has featured a guide to finding Jewish treats in the area. Keep reading for a guide to Hanukkah events happening in Hudson County + beyond for 2024, and a list of local spots serving Jewish treats.
Events
Chanukah Fire + Ice | 3 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown
December 26th | 5PM
Located at Pioneer Park at the HQ Plaza in Morristown, this free event will feature doughnuts, hot drinks, chocolate gelt, Chanukah music, a Chanukah giveaway for children, and a free raffle. Guests can also look forward to a live sculpting and light of a menorah made of ice, stilt walkers, and a roving magician. See the website for more details.
Read More: Where to Get Jewish Treats in Hoboken, Jersey City, + Beyond
Hannakauh Celebration + Menorah Lighting in Verona | 600 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
December 26th | 6PM
The free event, which begins at 6PM, will be held outside of Verona's Town Hall. Guests can look forward to live music from Rabbi Dan’s Midnight Nosh Band, arts and crafts for children, fried treats and refreshments, and more. See this link for more information.
Menorah Lighting in West Caldwell | 707 Bloomfield Avenue, West Caldwell
December 26th | 4PM
Essex County locals can look forward to a Menorah lighting at West Caldwell Civic Center on December 26th. Rabbi Lucas of Congregation Agudath Israel and Educational Director Susan Werk will light the Menorah. Refreshments will also be served. See the event flyer here.
Montclair Chanukah Fest + Menorah Lighting | 5 Seymour Street, Montclair
December 26th | 5:30PM
The Wellmont Arts Plaza will host a free Chanukah Festival and Menorah Lighting on Thursday, December 26th. There will be a live concert featuring Kosha Dillz, an LED robot, hot latkes and beverages, and gifts for children. RSVP for this event here.
The Annual Chanukah Soiree | 225 River Street, Hoboken
December 26th | 7:30PM
The Chabad Young Professionals of Hoboken + Jersey City community will host an event for young Jewish adults at the W Hotel, located at 225 River Street in Hoboken, on December 26th. The event includes a Menorah lighting, an open bar, a sushi bar, various hors d'oeuvres, and a latke + doughnut station. For more information about this event click here.
Treats
Babka Bailout | 476 Central Avenue A, Jersey City
Babka Bailout is a Jewish bakery in Jersey City specializing in babkas and challah bread. The menu includes innovative creations like Cereal Milk, made with marshmallow fluff and condensed milk and coated in fruity pebbles, and traditional Jewish treats like plain challah bread topped with sesame seeds. In addition to its expansive menu, this bakery has partnered with Butterfield Market + Catering in NYC to provide gelt babkas for Hanukkah. These treats are topped with chocolate coins and mini cutouts of the Star of David.
Choc O Pain | Multiple locations in Hoboken + Jersey City
This bakery, with locations all over Hoboken and Jersey City, is serving Bordelais Boule sourdough bread. For an additional cost, this treat can come with a specialized stencil, including a "Happy Hanukkah" design. To place an order for this bread, see here.
Hank Schwartz’s Delicatessen | Jersey City
Jersey City locals can usually find this Jewish deli at the Riverview Farmers Market on Sundays. The weekly menu typically consists of options like vegan lox, whitefish salad, all kinds of sandwiches, and more. In previous years, Hank Schwartz's provided a separate menu for Hanukkah, which included items like crispy potato latkes, housemade crème fraîche, and applesauce. Details regarding a special holiday menu for this year have yet to be announced, so make sure to check out the business's Instagram for any future announcements.
Hobby’s Delicatessen + Restaurant | 32 Brandford Place #2723, Newark
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Hobby’s Deli, located in downtown Newark near the Prudential Center, has been featured in documentaries, various media outlets, and publications like Food and Wine Magazine and the New York Times. This Jewish deli serves Eastern European delicacies like corned beef, chopped liver, potato pancakes, and homemade soups. See the menu here.
Kosher Nosh Deli Restaurant + Catering | 894 Prospect Street, Glen Rock
Kosher Nosh Deli Restaurant has served the Bergen County community since 1976 and provides Kosher Catering, Kosher Delicatessen, appetizers, and more. Aside from its everyday menu and selection of Jewish desserts, this spot also serves a Shabbat Special all day on Friday and Thursday nights. For $49.98, locals can enjoy one quart of the daily soup, an oven-roasted chicken, the choice of egg barley + mushrooms, kasha varnishkes, or orzo + mushrooms, challah bread, and more. See the full menu on the website.
Liv Breads | 275 Essex Street, Milburn
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Liv Breads in Milburn will take pre-orders for Hanukkah. Its menu consists of sufganiyot in either strawberry jam or Nutella, chocolate-Graham babka, and challah bread. Pre-orders are available from December 25th to January 1st. To order from Liv Breads, see this link.
Mikki + Al’s Noshery | 179 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
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In addition to the usual hot and cold sandwiches, salads, beverages, and desserts, Mikki + Al’s in Montclair is serving a special menu for Hanukkah. From a holiday brisket with gravy to a savory noodle kugel, there are plenty of options to consider. The menu also includes sufganiyots filled with raspberry jelly and coated in cinnamon sugar. To see the full menu and place an order, see here. Also, keep in mind that orders must be placed 48 hours in advance.
Nana’s Deli | 210 Hudson Street, Jersey City (inside Harborside Building) + 27 South Livingston Avenue, Livingston
This deli has locations in Livingston and Jersey City and serves Jewish staples like matzoh ball soup and brisket. Along with assorted dessert and bread platters, Nana’s Deli is providing a Kiddush Catering Menu, which comes with Nana’s Famous Tuna, egg salad, cream cheese, vegetable cheese, sliced cheeses, and a tomato + onion platter. Customers can also choose various add-on options like homemade hummus + pita chips and salmon salad.
Sweet Kneads by Ridhma | 38 South Livingston Avenue, Livingston
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Sweet Kneads by Ridhma is a Kosher-certified boutique bakery in Livingston. For the Hanukkah season, this spot is providing Hanukkah dessert boxes, which are now available for pre-order. Customers can look forward to mini doughnut holes in flavors like jelly, lemon raspberry, Nutella rocher, and more. To place an order, call 973-320-9030.
See More: Where to Find Passover Dishes in New Jersey
Yuki’s Bakery + Coffee | 720 Monroe Street, Hoboken
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This Jewish and Israeli spot sells all kinds of treats, including babka, challah, and rugelach cakes. In years past, Yuki's Bakery featured a special Hanukkah menu, which included strawberry jam and chocolate sufganiyots. Make sure to visit the bakery's website for potential announcements regarding a Hanukkah menu.
