Hey, Hudson County! Another week has gone and by and as usual, it was filled with news of openings and closings, some hard-hitting stories, and so much more. Don’t worry if you missed anything or if you need to catch-up on anything. We know you’ve had a busy work week, so we did the work for you. Keep reading for all the top headlines you missed this week.
Life Pancake Company Is Coming to Brownstone
{Photo credit: @laurenandrich}
The Brownstone Diner in Jersey City is no more, as new signage has popped up announcing that Life Pancake Company is moving in. However, sources close to Brownstone revealed that Life Pancake will be under the same ownership as Brownstone in Jersey City {note: the Edgewater and Englewood Cliffs locations are staying as “Brownstone” and are owned by a sibling of the Jersey City location}. While not much is known as of yet about Life Pancake House, it appears American Pancake Company Inc. has filed an application for a liquor license transfer with the Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control. We’ll keep you posted with more updates as we get them.
Jersey City Reaches Verdict in Airbnb Debate
Jersey City has spoken! In the polls earlier this week, Jersey City voted to keep an ordinance that places stricter regulations on short-term renting services such as Airbnb. These regulations include a 60-day cap for short-term rental properties if the owner is not on-site, prohibits short-term rentals in buildings with more than four units, seeks to phase out existing short-term rental contracts by January 1st, 2021, and prohibits renters from acting as short-term rental hosts.
Margherita’s Re-Opens After 7-Month Closure for Renovations
After a seven-month closure for renovations, Margherita’s at 740 Washington Street finally re-opened as of Thursday. Margherita’s has been a Mile Square staple for the past 25 years and while the owner promises the same good, quality food, you will notice a few new differences.
“We want to make sure the recipes are the same, but just fine-tune them a little bit,” director of operations Sherry Geck tells Hoboken Girl.
Margherita’s promises to source their menu with local, fresh ingredients, but that’s not the only freshening up you may notice. The entire interior looks different, with a new yellow and green color scheme and rebranding on the signage.
“We wanted it to feel more like a rustic feel. Like a coastal Italian kind of feel to it color-wise,” Geck adds. Welcome back, Margherita’s!
Franklin Social Opening on November 25th
{Photo credit: @miracleonmercer}
Franklin Social — which took over the former PJ Ryan’s Tavern space in Jersey City — is gearing up to open on November 25th. Located at 292 Barrow Street in Downtown Jersey City, Franklin Social is opening up as Miracle on Mercer, a Holiday Cocktail Pop Up shop. You’ll have to wait a little longer for the full restaurant concept to open, but just in time for the holiday season, FS is turning into Miracle on Mercer, offering holiday cocktails, Christmas decorations, and all things holiday spirit. Grab your ugly sweater and head over there anytime from the 25th to New Year’s Eve.
Malibu Diner in Hoboken Getting an Upgrade
The Malibu Diner on 14th Street might be the first thing you see when you come into Hoboken, but that might all change. The company that owns the stand-alone diner, which first opened up in Hoboken as The 14th Street Diner back in 1941, has officially started plans to demolish the current site, replacing it with a five-story mixed-use structure.
According to Jersey Digs, MVMK Architecture has proposed plans to include 20 flood-proofed indoor parking spaces, an underground water detention basin, and two-ground floor storefronts in the design. According to the plans, Malibu Diner wouldn’t be gone forever; the plans state that the goal is to bring Malibu Diner into one of the building’s two storefront spaces. The new mixed-use building would also include a 2,500-square-foot outdoor space and a 1,600-square-foot common roof deck with a green roof.
Mojo Coffee Company Coming to Willow Street
{Photo credit: @adamgregory}
Shout-out to an eagle-eyed reader, Adam Gregory, who noticed a new coffee shop undergoing construction on the corner of Willow Avenue. On Willow Avenue between 2nd and 3rd Streets, Mojo Coffee Company is currently in the early stages of construction. Hoboken Girl will keep providing updates as more information becomes available.
Third and Vine Closing After 7 Years
{Photo credit: Facebook}
Sad news, Jersey City. Third and Vine — a cheese and wine tavern offering over 20 varieties of cheese, small plates to choose from, international wines, and craft cocktails — has closed its doors.
In a statement written on Facebook, Third and Vine reps wrote, “After nearly seven years, we regret to inform everyone that this week will be our last. We would like to thank all our loyal customers and our wonderful staff who have been with us for the journey. Please do join us this week till Sunday during normal service for your favorite wines, cheeses, and food.”
Third and Vine, you will be missed.
Event Space Called Studio 503 Coming to Hoboken
{Photo credit: @studio503hoboken}
Studio 503, a new event space, is coming to Hoboken on Jackson Street. Think of Studio 503 as a one-stop-shop for everything creative. The 1,450-square-foot event space is outfitted with natural lighting, 10-foot wide backdrops, a green grass wall, a recording studio, and a seven-foot wide stage — which means whether you’re recording a podcast, are holding a photoshoot, or something else, Studio 503 has you covered. Studio 503 is available for podcasting, social and corporate events, dance classes, listening parties, showcases, art shows, and so much more. Check out their Instagram for pricing and booking information.
Pedestrian Dead in Jersey City After Fatal Crash
A fatal car crash during rush hour traffic has left one pedestrian in Jersey City dead. According to NJ.com, a 58-year-old man was struck and killed on Tuesday morning. The man, whose name has not been released as authorities are working to contact his family, was hit by a trash hauler from Omni Waste Services of Paterson around 7:00AM Tuesday. Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said the driver of trash hauler has been cooperative with police.
O’Bagel + Loquito’s Stephen Hassan Featured on Guys Grocery Games
{Photo credit: @chef.selhassan}
Stephen El-Hassan of O’Bagel and the man behind Loquito {please see the savory tacos Arabes} fame in Hoboken was recently featured on the show Guy’s Grocery Games on Food Network. In the show, Guy Fieri brings together a number of chefs and has them participate in a cooking competition using ingredients from grocery stores.
El-Hassan, who is both chef and owner at O’Bagel and Loquito, competed on the show, which aired November 6th. We won’t give away any spoilers here, but you can stream the Cheat Day episode on the Food Network online.
Ani Ramen Officially Opens Fifth Location in New Jersey
Local ramen spot Ani Ramen has opened its fifth official location in New Jersey. New to Maplewood, NJ, Ani Ramen is now open at 149 Maplewood Avenue in a 1,550 square-foot, 75-seat restaurant. Like the Montclair and Jersey City locations before it, Maplewood will offer craft ramen featuring signature noodles created by Sun Noodle. Ani Maplewood will also offer small plates like shrimp buns, handmade crispy gyoza, and glazed chicken wings. Lunch and dinner will be served daily and as always, the restaurant is BYOB.
Ani Maplewood will open for lunch and dinner – 11:30AM-3:00PM and 5:00PM-10:00PM Sunday through Thursday. {It’s also open from 5:00PM-11:00PM on Fridays and Saturdays.} The Maplewood location joins Jersey City, Montclair, Summit, and a quick-serve location in District Kitchen at Harborside Atrium in Jersey City. Congrats, Ani, on the new location!
Hoboken Firefighters Rescue Man From Hudson River
Hoboken firefighters have rescued a man from the Hudson River early Wednesday morning. Hoboken police Lt. Edgardo Cruz said the man, a 22-year-old from Lyndhurst, appeared intoxicated and voluntarily jumped into the river before struggling to swim during what firefighters deemed “a semi-conscious state.”
According to NJ.com, firefighters were called to the waterfront north of Piere C Park at 1:19AM. The man was floating in the water, “semi-conscious.” The water was reportedly 50 degrees, so a main concern of the team was hypothermia.
Capt. Ronald Richards and firefighters Nicola Ratto and Colin Nisbet from Ladder 1 used a ground ladder and life ring to rescue the unidentified man. However, the man in the water allegedly struggled with the fireboard during the rescue, causing Capt. Robert Chaneski and firefighters James Twyford and Nestor Matos to pull the fireboard alongside of him, pulling him onto the boat.
“The fireboat made the difference between life and death,” Crimmins said. “The man was not fully conscious and he could have easily sank. The firefighters did an outstanding job.”
Dune and Salt Coming to Hoboken
{Photo credit: @saltanddune}
A new boutique called Dune + Salt is currently under construction at 1200 Washington Street in Hoboken. While not much is known about the boutique, it appears to be linked to another boutique located in Sea Girt called The Girt. According to their website, The Girt sells beach-themed home decor, apparel, accessories, and even surfboards in what’s called their General Store online. They also have an Odds + Ends collection online that seems to feature clearance apparel. More info to come as it’s available.
New Italian Restaurant Coming to 7th and Clinton
A new restaurant venture is on its way to the former Jack and Co location at the corner of 7th and Clinton Streets. Hoboken Girl sources say the restaurant sliding into the space will be Italian. Not much is known yet as far as the restaurant’s name, but we will continue to update this story as it develops.
Got a news tip? Let us know — email us at hello@hobokengirl.com! We appreciate it.
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