Happy Sunday, Hudson County! We hope you enjoyed the beautiful weather {and maybe a rooftop and glass of rose}. This week was one for the books in Hudson County — so much happening. Tony Boloney’s is opening a third location, local police officers delivered a baby in the backseat of an Uber, and Ellen DeGeneres donated $50K to a North Bergen elementary school. All this and more below – here are the top news stories of the week in Hoboken and Jersey City:
Gender Neutral Bathrooms Coming to Hoboken
Last Wednesday, Mayor Bhalla issued an executive order for all city-run single-occupancy bathrooms to be designated as gender-neutral. This order follows former Mayor Zimmer’s order announcement last year that people could use the public restrooms that matched their gender identity. The order took place immediately and signage on all eligible bathrooms will be replaced by the end of May.
Zero Otto Uno Opens on Washington Street in Hoboken
Zero Otto Uno, located at 501 Washington, is officially open for business. Claiming to serve the “Best Neopolitan Pizza,” patrons can look forward to thin, chewy, and crispy pies. Menu items also include pasta and assorted Italian meat and cheeses. More about this new spot coming soon!
Firehouse Blazing Pizza Ribbon Cutting
Retired Hoboken firefighter Felix Santiago officially opened Firehouse Blazing Pizza yesterday at 488 Central Avenue. Santiago hopes that the family-oriented atmosphere and unique decor will keep the electronics away from the tables. Decor includes a red roll-up door, indoor and outdoor seating, brick walls, yellow floor markings, and firefighter-themed artwork from Jersey City’s Paws21 Art. Old photos, vintage newspapers, and other memorabilia will round out the decor. The main menu items include pizza, sandwiches, salads, cheese fries, and pasta.
Playa Bowls Officially Open in Hoboken
Long-awaited Playa Bowls has opened at 100 Hudson Street in Hoboken this Saturday. The surf-themed spot has over 30 sister-locations scattered along the east coast with 20 additional locations in the works. While the menu has regular açai bowls with a blended açai base, specialty bowls such as pitaya bowls {blend of pitaya, banana pineapple, + coconut milk}, banana bowls {blend of banana, honey, + almond milk}, and coconut bowls {blend of raw coconut, banana, agave, + coconut milk} round out the menu. Customers are encouraged to come up with unique combinations of toppings to truly create a custom dining experience. Be sure to stop by on your morning commute this week!
Dozzino Expanding to JC with New Venture: Corto
Dozzino is expanding into Jersey City Heights with a sister restaurant, Corto. The Hoboken restaurant is best known for its authentic Italian feel complete with long rustic dining tables, backyard seating in their pseudo-garden, and bocce courts. Dozzino’s slogan is “Fresh Dough Daily” because every menu item is served fresh — so much so that Dozzino’s doesn’t even have a freezer. Their new space, Corto, will host a wide-open kitchen-style feel of eating at home, complete with shared meals, a small menu, and simple-but-delicious food. Stay tuned for more info!
Fitness in the Park Schedule is Released
The 2018 Fitness in the Park Schedule has been officially released by the City of Hoboken. Fitness in the Park features a free introductory class sponsored by a different local fitness establishment at various locations around town. This year’s classes feature workouts by Jane Do, Bum Yoga, Local Bar and more. Be sure to wear loose workout clothing, sneakers, and bring plenty of water.
Tony Boloney’s is Opening a Third Location in JC
Hoboken’s famed pizzeria, Tony Boloney’s, is opening a third location in Jersey City. The pizzeria gained national notoriety for their jumbo taco pizza, which was soon followed by a giant pizza bagel and ramen pizza. The new shop is set to open at 363 Grove Street, but few details have been released on timing. Check back soon for an update!
Mamoun’s Falafel is Expanding
Mamoun’s Falafel, self-proclaimed as New York City’s oldest falafel shop {and one of our Hoboken faves}, has moved forward with plans to expand nationally. According to the New York Post, Mamoun’s has partnered with Fransmart, a leading franchise development company, to assist them with their expansion. Former clients of Fransmart include Five Guys and The Halal Brother. Mamoun’s is already in the tri-state area and Dallas and plans to open in Philadelphia, Long Island and Fort Lee, NJ, this spring. Future locations are slated for Staten Island, northern California and Chicago.
Baby Delivered in an Uber by Local Police Officers
Photo: Instagram via @CarePointHealth
Sathya Priva Senthil of Jersey City gave birth to her healthy baby girl in the backseat of an Uber last week, writes NJ.com. Sathya, who already is a mom to an eight-year-old daughter, thought she and her husband would have enough time to get to the NYC hospital where she intended to give birth, but the baby was delivered by three Port Authority police officers outside the Lincoln Tunnel. Officer Conant helped deliver a baby once before at the Holland Tunnel, but this was the first baby that Officers Armenti and Fuller helped deliver.
Hoboken’s 4th Annual Take Back The Night March
On Thursday, the Steven’s community, along with CarePoint Health, Mayor Ravi Bhalla, and Hoboken residents joined together and marched around town for the fourth annual Take Back The Night event. The purpose of the annual event is to protest against rape and other forms of sexual and domestic violence. Our founder, Jennifer Tripucka, read a poem along with fellow marchers. The night ended in a vigil to honor victims of sexual assault.
Hoboken’s Allison Strong to Star in Netflix Movie
Photo: Instagram via @AllisonTStrong
Local resident and former Hoboken Girl of the Week, Allison Strong, was a recent guest on Acceso Total NY to promote her new Netflix movie, The Week Of. Strong grew up in Union City and was first introduced to performing when he mother signed her up for musical theatre classes as a way to get her out of her shell. From there, Strong appeared on stage at the White House, the Metropolitan Opera, and on Broadway in Bye Bye Birdie and Mamma Mia. Strong’s Netflix debut features two fathers {Adam Sandler and Chris Rock} with opposing personalities, who come together to celebrate the wedding of their children. Strong plays Sandler’s daughter in the movie and her performance is not to be missed. The Week Of is available for streaming as of April 27th.
Woman Crashes Maserati in Hoboken
A New York City woman crashed her Maserati into multiple vehicles on Clinton Street Wednesday morning, reports NJ.com. Officers in the area heard the crash and soon saw the damaged vehicle, which was missing a tire, driving away from the crime scene. According to sources, the driver appeared disheveled, smelled of alcohol, and was unable to complete a field sobriety test. She was charged with DWI, reckless driving, driving while intoxicated in a school zone, and leaving the scene of an accident.
North Bergen School’s Fundraiser Receives $50K Donation from Ellen DeGeneres
Following the recent tragedy in Florida, teachers at the McKinley School in North Bergen were teaching their students about thinking bigger and working harder than ever before. In short, the teachers have been leading lessons demonstrating the impact of their voices even at a young age. “In recent lessons, we have been teaching the students about thinking bigger and working harder than ever before. We have had lessons on the impact of their voices. Together, we came up with an idea bigger than our school: get Ellen DeGeneres to come read to us (or at least try!). We know that it is a long shot, but the fun is in the attempt! “Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” Maria Morgana, a teacher at McKinley, shared with HobokenGirl.com. Together, the school devised a plan to get Ellen DeGeneres to come and read to the students {or at least try!} in celebration of Read Across America. We are happy to report that the students’ message reached Ellen and she donated $50,000 to their school!
Have any news tips? Email hello@hobokengirl.com and news.hobokengirl@gmail.com to let us know — we appreciate it!
