Hudson County, you’ve been busy this past week! A ton has been going on around our towns — from unexpected closures to welcomed openings to a package thief who has kept local police busy. Keep reading to discover all of the news you missed this week in Hoboken and Jersey City.
The Boil Opening February 14th in Jersey City
Just in time for Valentine’s Day date night, New York City’s The Boil is opening in Jersey City. Soon-to-open at 8 Erie Street, the Cajun-inspired seafood place takes most of its food inspiration from Louisana-style cuisine. Coming into the former DoShe space, patrons will find the traditional fan-favorites from its other NYC locations — Greenwich Village and the Lower East Side — as well as some dishes unique to the JC location.
Union City Man Arrested for Hoboken Package Theft
A Union City man has been charged with burglary after swiping a package from a residential building. The man, identified as 48-year-old Eduardo Cruz, was observed by Detectives Adam Colon and John Quinones peering into a residential building near Observer Highway and Madison Street, holding an empty bag. After emerging from the building, Cruz’s bag seemed to be full. Officers approached the man and found a package addressed to one of the building’s residents inside the bag.
Cruz was charged with burglary and theft, then taken to Hudson County jail, according to NJ.com.
Hoboken Girl Helps Now Collecting Formalwear Donations for Our March 28th Formalwear Drive + Community Sale
Got some old formalwear laying around? Hoboken Girl Helps is now hosting a Prom and Formalwear Drive in preparation for our March 28th community sale. Donation drop-offs for the fourth annual Formalwear Drive and Community Sale can be found at the following locations: Hudson Family Chiropractic and Physical Therapy, Downtown MedSpa, WestSide Realty Group, JaneDo Hoboken, Boutique Realty Hoboken, Boutique Realty Jersey City, and Athleta. We’ll be accepting all kinds of formalwear — from gowns and cocktail dresses to men’s suits and NEW/unused beauty products + gently used jewelry.
The Community Sale will be held on Saturday, March 28th, 2020 at the Multi-Service Center in Hoboken at 124 Grand Street on the 1st floor in the Senior Activities Center.
For more information on the community sale, check out our full post here.
Hoboken Acquiring Land from PSE&G: Residents to Help Determine How It’s Used
Due to a land swap with PSE&G, Hoboken will soon own approximately 22,000-square-foot property that lives on the western edge of Second Street. This land procurement offers a rare opportunity for the city of Hoboken — the property has light rail access, is located in a corner with little foot traffic, and is zoned for a variety of uses, officials said.
Hoboken’s chief resilience officer, Caleb Stratton has commented, “This is one of very few properties within the City of Hoboken that hasn’t been programmed for a specific need. It is the most unique opportunity I’ve seen for the city since I’ve been working here since 2012.” The property is currently a PSE&G substation that will no longer be in service. PSE&G will transfer operations to a new facility adjacent to an existing substation on 11th Street in Hoboken. PSE&G will then remediate the Second Street property, which is planned to be available to the city by April 2021. The city of Hoboken hopes that residents of all identities and from all parts of town {including public housing residents} will contribute ideas for the property.
Charges Made in Hoboken Pepper Spray Attack
Two weeks ago, the community was rocked after a woman was attacked with pepper spray and robbed on Bloomfield Street. Now, Malachi Belton, 19, and Ajaras Clark, 20, of Plainfield, have been charged in connection with the attack. Both were charged with robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery, while Belton faces additional charges of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and endangering an injured victim.
On January 15, an unidentified woman was walking down Bloomfield Street around 9 PM. She was attacked from behind and sprayed in the face with pepper spray. The men stole her backpack and she was left on the ground, bleeding from a head injury.
Jersey City Says Goodbye to FM Bar + Lounge as of February 1st
Jersey City has lost a staple musical venue as of yesterday, February 1st, as FM Bar + Lounge has officially closed its doors after its final show. Until now, FM remained to this day one of the only rock clubs in Jersey City {after Uncle Joe’s closing back in 2005}. FM, we’re sad to see you go.
Weehawken’s Hudson Theatre Announces Hamlet
Shakespeare lovers, rejoice! The Hudson Theatre — located at the Wilson School at 80 Hauxhurst Avenue in Weehawken — has announced its upcoming show: Hamlet. Opening night is February 15th, with shows running Thursday through Sunday. Tickets are $25, but if you go on Thursday, it’s “pay what you can” day. To snag your tickets, log onto www.brownpapertickets.com or call 1-800-838-3006.
Food Delivery Service Wrongly Claims You Can Order Delivery from Bread and Salt Bakery
{Photo courtesy of @breadandsaltbakery}
Bread and Salt Bakery has posted to their Instagram to confirm that they are not offering delivery through a third-party delivery service. The caption on their post says, “We don’t accept orders through @grubhub or @seamless or anyone else regardless of anything you might find on the internet that tells you otherwise. Come see us in person, we’ll make you food and you can be happy knowing that online crooks aren’t getting a penny from the transaction.” It’s not clear which food delivery service listed them as a vendor, but be assured that Bread and Salt is not offering delivery at this time. Locals and out-of-towners can continue to enjoy their pizza, which has been called “a slice of heaven”, but will need to do it in person.
Two Hoboken Officers Injured After Thief Steals Dog Jackets from Pet Shop and Flees the Scene
A theft of a local Hoboken pet shop got ugly after the assailant resisted arrest, leaving two police officers injured. Last Thursday, Jose Vanegas, 23, was arrested and charged with robbery, aggravated assault, and resisting arrest after allegedly shoplifting. Vanegas targeted a pet shop on Washington Street, allegedly stealing six dog jackets, then fleeing the scene.
The pursuit began around 12:00PM when Officer Steven Albert saw two males running south down Park Avenue. The man chasing the first man yelled, “Police! Police! Stop Him, he just robbed me!” At the time, Officer Albert was sitting in his cop car.
Officer Albert pursued the second man by foot, then apprehended him near 3rd Street. “As Officer Albert struggled with the [man], Officer Bernardo Munoz arrived and assisted with placing the [man] under arrest,” according to police.
During the apprehension, Officer Albert suffered an abrasion to his knee and was treated by an ambulance. Officer Munoz came onto the scene and injured his hamstring.
Vanegas was brought to Hudson County Jail.
Weehawken Fourth Graders, Teachers, and Police Raise $1,500 for Childhood Cancer and Student Battling Brain Tumor
Roosevelt School in the Weehawken School District held Good Week last week to raise awareness for childhood cancer. Gold is the color for childhood cancer awareness and to support their classmate, Aleyna, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor this past year, fourth-graders made ribbons and bookmarks to sell for $1 at the event.
Teachers also got involved in the event, playing music during lunch periods for $1 requests. In just one week, Roosevelt School raised over $1,500, thanks to the support and efforts of students, staff, and the Weehawken Police Department.
The event was even featured on News 12.
The money raised will go to two organizations that have helped Aleyna — American Childhood Cancer Organization and the Making Headway Organization. If you’d like to get involved and donate, you can do so via the American Childhood Cancer Organization, which is currently accepting donations here.
Hoboken Girl is happy to report Aleyna is now in remission.
Pump Pilates Studio Celebrates Its Grand Opening
{Photo credit: @pumphoboken}
New to Hoboken as of February is Pump Pilates. The new Pilates studio celebrated their grand opening yesterday, February 1st from 10:00AM-2:00PM, offering free demo classes, freebies, and giveaways from other locally-owned, women-led businesses. According to their IG, it looks like Pump is still offering grand opening demo classes.
Pump is open Monday through Friday from 5:00AM-10:00PM and Saturday and Sunday from 6:00AM-10:00PM.
Club Barks Officially Closed in December
{Photo credit: Google Maps}
Club Barks’ Hoboken location officially closed in December, right around Christmas, Hoboken Girl can confirm. The doggy daycare and training center, located at 712 Jefferson Street, still has one other New Jersey location in Woodland. Club Barks did have a Jersey City location as well, but Yelp is also reporting that location as closed.
PATH Line to World Trade Center Is Closed This Weekend
As Hoboken’s PATH 33rd Street line reopened earlier this week, New York and New Jersey Transit has announced that the World Trade Center Station will be closed Saturday and Sunday of this weekend for repairs related to Superstorm Sandy.
Stations in both Hoboken and Jersey City were closed previous weekends, but are now open while WTC shuts down for temporary repairs.
According to the PATH website:
“Beginning January 4th, 2020 through December 20th, 2020, PATH’s World Trade Center Station will close every weekend, excluding major holidays, in order to replace equipment damaged during Superstorm Sandy. The station will close at 12:01AM on Saturdays, reopening at 5;00AM on Mondays. During this time, PATH service to World Trade Center will terminate at Exchange Place Station. Each Saturday and Sunday from 7:00AM to 11:30PM, transfer will be available for NY Waterway ferry service between Harborside Ferry Landing in Jersey City and Brookfield Place Terminal in New York City. Service on the JSQ-33 via HOB line will follow a regular weekend schedule.”
For more PATH updates, check out our full article on recent and upcoming PATH closures here.
Elevate Pilates Opens in Hoboken
{Photo credit: @elevatepilates}
Elevate Pilates is now open for group and private classes at 159 4th Street in Hoboken. The new studio celebrated its grand opening last Sunday, January 26th and is now offering opening specials such as two reformer Pilates classes for $40, three private sessions for $185, and an Elevate membership for $240 for the first three months.
Hudson Restaurant Week 2020 is Happening Now
There are few things Hudson County loves more than its delicious food scene, so there’s no better way to celebrate it than with Hudson Restaurant Week 2020. From now through Friday, February 7th, enjoy specially curated menus and deals at a variety of HRW restaurants. Check out the full list here.
A New Building Development Has Been Approved for 428-434 Central Avenue in Jersey City
A new 32-unit development has been approved to advance along 428-434 Central Avenue in Jersey City, according to Jersey Digs. The new development is slated to open in The Heights area on the current site of Griot Cafe, Central Flowers, Princess Nails, and AC Plaza 2000, Jersey Digs reported. Should construction commence, these current sites will have to be torn down.
The Central Avenue Special Improvement District {CASID}, however, said that the businesses currently in existence at the site are “already working on relocating within the district as they are finalizing plans for the long-anticipated move,” according to a social media post.
Grubbs in Jersey City is Closing
Sad news, Jersey City. Among the slew of closures that have already happened this year {please see Paste e Vino, LITM, and FM Bar + Lounge} it’s time to add one more to the bunch. Grubbs Take Away is now closed. Jersey Digs reported that although there hasn’t been an official announcement yet, the current space where Grubbs was located {at 564 Newark Avenue} has been vacant for quite some time. But fear not, Grubbs lovers, as the Hoboken location is still open for business.
Jersey City Boxer Will Be Competing in a National Tournament
Congratulations to Sirell Clark, as this Jersey City resident will be competing in the 2020 Silver Gloves Nationals competition in Independence, Missouri this year. At just 16-years-old, Clark is a student at University Academy Charter and will be competing in the junior-heavyweight division. Good luck in the competition, Clark!
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