It’s been a big week in Hudson County, most notably for the fate of e-scooters. You may recall that the e-scooters pilot program in Hoboken was just a trial and officially expires on November 20th.
In other, non-scooter-related news, we’ve had closures, openings, and announcements of new businesses coming to town, including a new Italian restaurant we finally know the name of {coming to 7th and Clinton in the Mile Square} and a new supermarket chain that’s taking over the old ACME in Weehawken. Keep reading for an e-scooter update, more on what’s coming to the Weehawken ACME, details on recent openings and closures, and more. All that and more below!
E-scooters Pilot Program Expires on November 20th
Next Wednesday, November 20th, the e-scooter pilot program in Hoboken will officially expire. And with no news yet from city officials regarding the future of scooters {whether they’ll stay a part of the Mile Square}, it’s safe to say that it looks like scooters will be removed from Hoboken effective on the 20th.
“The city is working to evaluate all options,” Hoboken spokesperson Vijay Chaudhuri said in an official statement.
You may recall that the original e-scooter pilot program was meant to last six months. With November 20th marking those six months, Hobokenites are waiting to hear an announcement on the future of the Mile Square.
Lime sounds positive and is hoping that the program will return to Hoboken after this trial period.
“We’ve truly enjoyed serving Hoboken and its residents with convenient, sustainable transportation options,” said Phil Jones, Limes senior director for government relations. “Given the overwhelming popularity of the pilot program, we are hopeful that we can continue the program moving forward.”
According to Lime’s statistics, there have been more than 640,000 unique rides in Hoboken since the pilot program began six months ago. But those 640,000 unique rides were not without difficulty or controversy. Over the course of the six-month trial, the Mile Square saw a total of three alcohol-related incidents that culminated in DWIs.
Jersey City Theatre Center Putting on Heroes of the World, Highlighting JC Muralists
{Photo courtesy of Jersey City Theatre Center}
Jersey City Theatre Center is putting on JCTC Presents Heroes of the World, a local showcase of Greenville murals and artists. The showcase seeks to highlight the young talent behind the city’s newest public art display, aptly titled Heroes of the World.
A socially-engaging mural located at 1 Ocean Avenue in the Greenville neighborhood of Jersey City, Heroes of the World is a one-of-a-kind, 20-foot-wide public work of art. In fact, it’s the longest mural in Jersey City and was created by a hand-picked team of aspiring JC artists through the Jersey City Summer Youth Mural Arts Program 2019.
“Art revitalizes neighborhoods and improves everyone’s quality of life,” said Olga Levina, Artistic Director, JCTC. “Everyone should visit the Heroes of the World in Greenville, which is a testament to what is possible with the arts. The mural shows us the leaders today’s youth look up. JCTC wants to present these young artists and their art in a gallery setting and see the talent, intelligence and creativity that went into this project.”
JCTC Presents Heroes of the World will also feature a screening of Heroes of the World, a short documentary film by Duda Penteado and produced by Unshakeable Productions.
Downtown Hardware to Close by End of 2019
{Photo credit: Google Maps}
After more than 45 years in business in Jersey City, Downtown Hardware {located at 152 Newark Avenue, Jersey City} is preparing to close its doors by the end of 2019. Downtown Hardware’s owner Edwin Cruz told Jersey Upfront that the industry is getting too competitive, citing Amazon and Home Depot as major competitors. It looks like the hardware store will close as early as December.
Man Tries to Steal Ambulance from Hoboken Hospital
Last Sunday, a man locked himself inside an ambulance at Hoboken University Medical Center in an attempt to steal the emergency vehicle from the premises. The man, who was not a patient or waiting for any patient at the hospital, was from Lyndhurst.
The Hoboken Police Department dispatched officers to the hospital at 7:34AM on Sunday after receiving a call from security officers about a man who refused to leave the hospital’s waiting room. Police escorted the man outside of the hospital’s waiting room, then waited to see if the man would try to reenter the waiting room. Officers then witnessed the man pacing by an ambulance before climbing into it and locking the doors.
Police say the man tried to put the ambulance into gear several times, without any luck. Hospital security then helped officers get into the ambulance through the rear double doors of the vehicle. Once approached, the man allegedly resisted arrest.
The Cuddly Cottage Boutique Opening This December
{Photo courtesy of The Cuddly Boutique}
The Cuddly Cottage — a pet care service in Hoboken that provides daycare, dog-walking, overnight boarding, and more — is opening a new venture called The Cuddly Boutique. Tied to the pet care service The Cuddly Cottage, The Cuddly Boutique features curated inventory pet owners won’t be able to find in other brick-and-mortar stores. The boutique will also offer some convenient features — like, say, you’ve run out of poop bags and you’re an existing customer. The Cuddly Boutique can offer free delivery with their next scheduled walk. It’s convenience and cuteness, all in one place.
The Cuddly Boutique is launching its website on December 2nd, and will host a Howliday celebration on December 3rd.
Newport Centre Hosting Holiday-Themed Disney Junior Party
{Photo credit: @disneyjunior}
The Newport Centre Mall in Jersey City hosted a holiday-themed Disney Junior Play Date party for little ones. Yesterday from 12:00PM-2:00PM, children were entertained by activities featuring Fancy Nancy, Muppet Babies, Puppy Dog Pals, T.O.T.S., and Vampirina. Kids participated in a holiday-themed photo booth and more.
Hair Salon Headed to Old Gold Roast Coffee Location
Looks like the former Gold Roast Coffee location at 600 Harrison Street is turning into The Salon at Hoboken, with a planned opening on November 19th. Local Hoboken couple Ariella Mendez and Giovanni Giuntoli are opening the salon and will be offering cuts, color, and extensions, as well as skin and waxing services by local esthetician Rosalia Fiske. Their instagram says they have organic options and are taking a green approach to beauty and living. Check them out @thesalonathoboken on Instagram.
Cascade Cafe on Hudson Street Closing
Another sad closure announcement in Hoboken. Cascade Cafe, located at 38 Hudson Place, is set to close within the next few weeks. A Hoboken Girl reader checked in with the cashier after noticing a massive reduction in inventory and was told that rent had gotten too high and business had gotten too slow. We followed up and that is unfortunately the case. Cascade, you will be missed!
Jersey City Could Be Getting 72 Dorms Worth of Student Housing
{Photo credit: Google Maps}
Jersey City could be the new home of dorming students, as Bay Street Associates LLC has recently put in an application with the Jersey City Planning Board to turn the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors of 150 Bay Street into student housing. That makes for a total of 72 dorms. This public notice was filed on November 1st, but the plans don’t stop there. Dorms are only the beginning.
According to Jersey Digs, nine units for resident advisors {RAs}, a lounge for studying, a cafeteria, and a recreation area are also being considered. To accommodate the students, the entrance on 1st Street would be renovated and windows on levels four, five, and six would be replaced.
Grant Funding Awards Hoboken Over $1.8 Million for Open Space and Park Projects
Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla has announced that Hoboken has received more than $1.8 million in grant funding from the State of New Jersey and Hudson County for open space and park projects. This funding includes $1,069,132 in Green Acres funding through the State for the addition of Cove Park as part of the City’s Rebuild by Design Project. That number also includes restoration of a portion of the waterfront walkway in Hoboken at Weehawken Cove.
Hudson County awarded the City $500,000 for the construction of the Northwest Resiliency Park and $250,000 for the renovation of dog runs at both Stevens and Church Square Parks.
“I’m incredibly thrilled Hoboken has been selected for these major sources of funding for our open space initiatives,” said Mayor Bhalla in an official press release. “There are no two more important park projects currently underway in Hoboken than our Northwest and Cove resiliency parks, which will become models for the State and region for including above and below-ground infrastructure to address flooding.”
Bhalla added, “Thank you to Governor Phil Murphy, County Executive Tom DeGise, and Freeholder Anthony Romano for the generous grant awards, which will also help provide much-needed upgrades to our existing dog runs.”
Jersey City Schools Reopening Water Fountains After Lead Contamination Found in 30+ Districts
After replacing the pipes in 15 Jersey City schools where lead contamination was found in the drinking water, these JC schools are getting ready to reopen their water fountains.
“For the first time in 10 years, children attending the public school system in Jersey City will have access to safe and clean drinking water,” said Jersey City Board of Education President Sudhan Thomas.
The 15 schools that are reopening their water fountains in November include School 11, School 15, School 20, School 23, School 23 West, School 24, School 26, School 30, School 29 Annex, School 23 Trailers, Dr. Maya Angelou School, Renaissance Institute, McNair High School, Liberty High School, Board of Education Offices, and Cavern Point Athletics Complex.
There are still 25 other schools in New Jersey with closed-down fountains. These schools still need lead remediation, as their issues are more intense {and pricey} than the first 15. These schools feature lead pipes buried underground, so the remediation process will take more time.
“At this point we don’t know what the cost estimate is. But it could be as low as $4-$5 million. It could be as high as $15 million,” added Thomas. “So we will know the exact figure by December when we do a complete evaluation and we’ll put out a schedule for the remaining 25 schools by middle of December.”
While the fountains were closed, children were {and still are in the schools that aren’t finished replacing the pipes} encouraged to bring bottled water to school.
IL Tavolo di’ Palmisano Coming to 7th and Clinton Street
{Photo credit: Instagram}
Last week, Hoboken Girl reported that the new eatery coming to the corner of 7th and Clinton Street would be an Italian restaurant. We can now confirm that the restaurant will be called IL Tavolo di’ Palmisano and comes from the Palmisano brothers, long-time Hoboken residents.
Frank Palmisano, a retired Hoboken Battalion Chief for the fire department and partner of Biggie’s Clam Bar, is joining forces with his brother, a Catholic priest and pastor at Our Lady of Mount Virgin in Garfield, to give the Mile Square IL Tavolo di’ Palmisano.
Sources say the restaurant will be family-run and will feature a traditional Italian menu. For more scoop on IL Tavolo di’ Palmisano, check out our full post on the restaurant here.
Jersey City Council Looking to Ban Flavored E-Cigarettes Even Before the State Votes on It
Jersey City Council is looking to ban flavored e-cigarettes, even before the State of New Jersey. According to News 12 New Jersey, 80% of the vaping products sold at iVape in JC are flavored and now, the Council is looking to ban such products due to their harmful health effects.
“We have flavors like bubble gum and flavors like fruit punch, things that can be very attractive to children, things that are similar to candy,” says Councilwoman Denise Ridley. “The hope is by doing that, we will reduce the risk to our youth here in Jersey City.”
Council members are set to introduce the new legislation next week. If the ordinance is voted in, flavored e-cigarettes could be illegal in Jersey City as soon as 2020.
Hoboken Girl Helps Writes 1000 Cards to Local Seniors
In honor of the Thanksgiving season and in memory of our late friend Vinny Wassman, Hoboken Girl hosted an event for locals to gather together and write holiday cards for seniors. We gathered on Tuesday, November 5th at Hoboken’s House of ‘Que to get into the holiday spirit and craft holiday cards that will be distributed to Hudson County’s 65 and over age group – 1000 to be exact. If you know of a senior center or person who would like to receive cards, please email hobokengirlhelps@gmail.com so we can add them to our list of seniors.
Hoboken Holiday Market 2019 is Happening December 17th
Hoboken Girl‘s Hoboken Holiday Market 2019 is coming to town on Tuesday, December 17th from 5:30PM-9:00PM at Birch Hoboken on River Street. Enjoy a fun evening of holiday shopping with over 20 local vendors and boutiques. Shop for literally everyone on your holiday shopping list + treat yourself to some goodies. The event is a meaningful way to personalize your holiday shopping and support local vendors.
A portion of the proceeds from this year’s Hoboken Holiday Market will go to support the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Core. The team of volunteers from this amazing organization serves our community by providing emergency care to the City of Hoboken.
Tickets are $10 and include a donation to Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps. You can get yours here.
Lidl Grocery Store to Replace Acme in Weehawken
{Photo credit: @liditalia}
Weehawken is saying bye-bye to ACME and hello to Lidl, a German-based grocery chain. Come spring, Lidl will be opening at 4100 Park Avenue within the Tower Plaza in Weehawken.
“It’s certainly a major amenity to continue having a supermarket there,” Mayor Richard Turner told The Jersey Journal. “It’s a great location. The walkability is very important as it’s not too far from Union City or West New York.”
Locals may recall that ACME announced it was closing on October 2nd. Negotiations with Lidl have been ongoing ever since, and until Lidl opens, the Whole Foods at 1400 Waterfront Terrace will stand as Weehawken’s only other major grocery chain.
Before Lidl can open come 2020, the supermarket will undergo some massive renovations.
Veterinary Emergency Group Opening on November 20th
{Photo credit: @veterinary_emergency_group}
Hoboken Girl can confirm that the Veterinary Emergency Group will be hosting its grand opening on November 20th. Located at 1327 Willow Avenue, the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on December 3rd from 3:00PM-6:00PM.
“We are a fast-growing, emergency-only veterinary hospital group,” a VEG representative tells Hoboken Girl in a message. “We have locations in NY, NJ, FL, and MA. We are open nights, weekends, and holidays to support all local general practice veterinarians when their office is closed.”
Liberty Humane Society Set to Expand 1st in State $10 Spay + Neuter Program
{Photo courtesy of Jaclyn Fulop}
Owner of Exchange Physical Therapy Group of Jersey City, Jaclyn Fulop, has teamed up with the Liberty Humane Society to expand the operation of the low-cost spay and neuter program launched earlier this year. The program, which is the first of its kind in the state of New Jersey, lowers the rate of spays and neuters to $10 and has already helped 1,502 animals total.
“As a board member for Liberty Humane, I see firsthand the challenges that some of these animals face and it is important to make sure that we are supportive and we can meet the challenge as a city without euthanizing if possible,” says Jaclyn, founder of Exchange Physical Therapy Group and a Liberty Humane board member. “The first step to achieving this goal is providing a free or reduced spay and neuter program for residents.”
Residents of Jersey City and Hoboken can apply online for a surgical subsidy to spay or neuter their large dogs {40+ pounds} and outdoor cats in colonies of 10 or fewer. You can do so at www.libertyhumane.org.
To support their efforts {and goal of spaying and neutering 2,000 Hudson County cats and dogs}, LHS and EPTG came together on Thursday, November 14th at the Harborside Atrium for a fundraising event inspired by the teensy puppy, Chloe.
Keep up the great work, LHS and EPTG!
Vintage on First Closed {Temporarily for Renovations}
{Photo credit: @vintageonfirst}
“Closed for a facelift!” That’s what a hand-written sign taped to the storefront window of Vintage on First in Hoboken says. The vintage clothing store, located at 257 First Street, is typically open Monday through Fridays 12:00PM-8:00PM and Saturday from 11:00AM-7:00PM, but according to new signage, it looks like Vintage on First will be shut down for an undisclosed amount of time while they undergo some interior construction. The windows have brown paper taped up so no one can see inside.
Sushi by Bou Speakeasy Coming to Jersey City
{Photo credit: @sushibybou_}
If there’s one thing many of us can’t get enough of, it’s sushi. A new sushi speakeasy called Sushi by Bou is coming to Jersey City. Although the location is confirmed, official announcements are still in the works, so we can’t give you the specific details on that just yet. But what we can tell you is that this new spot will offer an intimate dining experience for locals who want to enjoy some Omasake sushi. Find more about this new spot here.
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