It’s been quite the week – and news-wise, there are a lot of updates, and many of them are transitional. We’ve got a new gym called F45 coming to the Mile Square, the Hudson Yoga Project is opening up a second location in Uptown Hoboken, Artichoke Pizza may finally be opening this month, a new Italian spot in the Heights is open, and depending on where you stand on Scooter Gate 2019, Hoboken’s contract with OjO scooters is now terminated + so much more. Ready to catch up on everything you missed? Keep reading!
Mayor Bhalla Ends Contract With OjO Scooters
As of September 12th , OjO Scooters are now banned in Hoboken as Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla has terminated the City’s contract with the e-scooter company. While the relationship between Hoboken and Lime Scooters is still good, the Mayor went off in a series of tweets explaining why the OjO contract just wasn’t up to snuff.
“Overall, I believe e-scooters have been a net positive for Hoboken. However, this morning, after careful consideration and analyzing the two scooter companies over the past 3 months, I’ve made a decision to end our contract with OjO,” Bhalla began.
The tweet, and of course the ending of the OjO contract, seems to be a direct response to an incident that got local media attention: a mother and her 3-month old baby were hit by an OjO scooter riding on a sidewalk on Wednesday in Hoboken. The mother’s series of tweets can be read here.
“1. OjOs technology hasn’t adapted to the needs of our community. Despite a waterfront restriction, OjO hasn’t implemented a slowdown or taken action to prevent scooters on our waterfront,” Bhalla continued.
“2. OjO has demonstrated an inability to provide adequate on the ground staff that a responsible e-scooter company needs to safely and effectively operate a shared scooter program. 3. OjO hasn’t provided a robust public education campaign to ensure responsible ridership,” Bhalla added. “As a city, we will continue to explore e-scooters to promote sustainable transportation methods, along with safe riding through protected bike lanes. However, my top priority is the health and safety of our residents.”
New Movie Studio to Be Built in Jersey City
Watch out, NYC! There’s a new movie studio going to be built in Jersey City, according to Hudson County View, at 21 Caven Point Avenue. The location is currently an industrial building but will be converted, according to Mayor Fulop, into a 70,000-foot studio space with three sound stages — the largest studio in the state. The hope, according to officials, is to open the space in 2020. In recent months, some big-time movies like “Joker” and The Sopranos’ prequel “The Many Saints of Newark” have been filmed in JC, putting it more on the map for executives an producers.
New Gym F45 Coming to Hoboken in Two Locations
{Photo credit: @45_training}
Two new functional training gyms called F45 are coming to the Mile Square — a Hoboken North and a Hoboken South location. According to its website, F45 is specifically designed to provide functional, full-body workouts that focus on improving energy, metabolism, strength, and endurance. F45 also strongly emphasizes a team mentality, encouraging members to grow into the gym through the help of the community. The “45” in the title isn’t for naught, either; the functional HIIT training sessions at F45 all aim to burn 750 calories within 45 minutes.
The North Hoboken location will be at 720 Monroe Street in E303 and the South location will be at 84 Washington Street, which looks to be the former location of Room 84.
Bliss Spa Hoboken Is Closing by November
Earlier this week, Hoboken Girl confirmed that Bliss Spa is closing its doors. Sources from the spa confirmed that the doors of Bliss will be officially closed come November. Frequent spa-goers will remember that Bliss was known for its massages, facials, sauna services, and of course, waiting room brownies. Bliss’ fate might also not come as a shock to those frequent goers. After all, they did away with nail services in the past few years and repurposed the mani space into a lounge.
Congress Station in Jersey City Heights Has Closed
Congress Station coffee shop in the Heights has closed under its current ownership. The business posted on its Instagram the following, “The time has come to announce that when the space reopens shortly, it will be reimagined, with new owners. It’s important to me to tell you that when we closed for vacation, I had no idea we would not reopen as planned. I’m sorry I did not have the opportunity to say thank you and goodbye! Thank you for embracing my dad, Susan, and the staff. It has truly been a pleasure and an honor to get to know you. Thank you for sharing your lives, your families and your hearts with me! I will miss each one of you for many different reasons. I truly believe that you will be happy with what is coming. Be well.”
No word on what’s to come in place of Congress Station yet but we will share once announced.
Hudson Yoga Project Opening Uptown in October
{Photo credit: @katelombardoyoga}
They’re expanding! Hudson Yoga Project is coming to Uptown Hoboken this fall. Helmed by Hoboken Girl‘s own Kate Lombardo and Patrick Franco, the timeline for HYP’s second location should be ready to go by October. Here’s what they wrote on Instagram:
“We’re *so* excited to announce that we’re opening up a 2nd location and bringing our signature HYPster-style yoga to Uptown and West Hoboken,” the co-owners announced on the HYP Instagram.
The new spot will be at 1317 Willow Avenue, right across the street from Trader Joe’s.
“We’ve got a bit of work to do throughout the month to get the space ready for you,” the Instagram announcement continues. “But the plan is to open early October — official opening date + special offers on snagging a discounted rate on our new dual-studio memberships will be coming your way soon.”
The post continued, “We’re so grateful for the Mile Square and our HYP community and can’t wait to continue serving, learning, and growing with you.”
Congratulations on the second location.
Artichoke Pizza: A Much-Needed Update on Its Opening
It feels like the never-ending wait, doesn’t it? Though the Manhattan-based pizzeria chain originally said its Hoboken opening date would be the first two weeks of August, Artichoke Basille’s Pizza in the Mile Square is now shooting for an end-of-September opening, according to the owner — who spoke with our team this past week. The Mile Square Artichoke will call 96 Hudson Street home and hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later. See more about Artichoke here.
New Titles Added to Movies Under the Stars at 7th and Jackson Park in Hoboken
{Photo courtesy of the City of Hoboken}
Movies Under the Stars isn’t over just yet. Mayor Bhalla and the Cultural Affairs Department have announced additional programming for 7th and Jackson’s Park for the month of September.
“I’m thrilled to extend our cultural affairs programming at our Southwest and 7th and Jackson Parks,” said Mayor Bhalla. “This will give residents additional opportunities to enjoy some of our most popular outdoor activities, including Movies Under the Stars and family-friendly concerts. Come on out and enjoy the fun!”
All movies take place at 7th and Jackson Park and begin at 7:30PM. Here are the new additions:
Friday, September 20th: Mary Poppins Returns
Tuesday, September 24th: The Greatest Showman {sing-along version}
Pizzeria Pop-Up Pizza in Hoboken Reopening in Two Weeks
Pizzeria Pop-Up Pizza in Hoboken closed due to smoke damage from a fire above it at Body Balance last spring, but the newer pizza spot — located at Hudson Place — is set to reopen in approximately two weeks, according to its owners. Not much more information is known at this time, but sources can confirm that it’s on the move to reopen. As the story develops, we’ll keep you updated.
Hoboken Engineer Whose Sleep Apnea Caused Fatal Train Crash Wins Appeal and Is Back on the Job
Nary a Hoboken resident can forget the fateful day in 2016 when a train crashed into the Hoboken Terminal, killing a woman walking by and injuring 108 other people. Thomas Gallagher was the engineer in charge of the train’s controls that day and since the accident, he has been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Though undiagnosed at the time, sleep apnea caused him to blackout that day in September 2016. And now, Thomas Gallagher has gotten his job back.
After filing an appeal, Gallagher has won his arbitration, therefore, being reinstated as an engineer. The condition of him being reinstated, of course, is that he meets medical conditions and continues with his treatment for sleep apnea. Immediately following the crash, Gallagher was suspended and fired.
According to a copy of the decision, obtained by NJ Advance Media, “To be clear, the claimant’s return to work is on a one-time, last chance basis, contingent upon his compliance with the terms and conditions of this award.”
He will not be working on any passenger trains, however.
Bluestone Lane Opening Additional Location on Hudson Street in Jersey City
Bluestone Lane is opening at 30 Hudson Street in Jersey City with the official kick-off happening on Thursday, September 19th. This is Bluestone’s first-ever Jersey City location, but you might recognize their familiar blue logo from various locations around the city and of course, the one which opened in the Mile Square several years back. Bluestone is an Australian-inspired coffee shop and cafe that offers premium artisanal coffee and healthy eats.
Legendary Photographer Robert Frank Has Died at 94
A legendary photographer named Robert Frank has died at the age of 94. As reported by Forbes, Frank had been published in Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue and had the goal of “photographing America.”
One of his iconic stops on his journey to do just that, Frank captured the photograph he titled, “Parade.” Where did he capture the photo? In none other than the Mile Square. Throughout his career, Frank shot 27,000 frames in cities nationwide and is widely credited with creating one of the most influential books in the history of photography.
DomoDomo Soft Opening in October in Jersey City
DomoDomo is a Bib Gourmand-awarded {read: Michelin star} New York City restaurant that’s on its way to Downtown Jersey City. DomoDomo, which is set to open at 200 Greene Street at the base of Jersey City Urby, is prepping to soft open in early October and fully open the week of Monday, October 21st. During the soft opening, patrons can expect a pretty sweet deal: 20% off dinner service. DomoDomo will also offer 15% off lunch service between the hours of 11:30AM-2:30PM.
Hoboken Begins Installation of 15 Blocks of New Water Mains
{Photo courtesy of the City of Hoboken}
According to a press release, construction will begin on the first phase of planned water main upgrades for eight locations in Hoboken on Monday, September 16th. A total of 15 blocks — which accounts for over 7,000 linear feet of Hoboken’s oldest water mains — will be replaced.
“My administration is committed to upgrading Hoboken’s infrastructure, and that starts with our aging water main system,” Bhalla says.
Upgrades will include new water mains and service lines from the main to the curb, as well as road repaving, green infrastructure, and safety improvements related to Vision Zero. Construction will start at Monroe Street between 8th and 11th Streets.
“These water main replacements are the start of our ambitious goal to independently replace over 14,000 feet, or 2.7 miles of our water main system over the next two years. This investment, along with the $33 million provided through the SUEZ contract, will replace 18% of our entire water system by 2034. As a part of the project, we’re also including pedestrian safety upgrades, as well as reducing rainfall flooding with green infrastructure. Together, these upgrades address [the] major quality of life issues for the residents of Hoboken.”
The 7,000 linear feet of water main replacements include the following locations:
- 1st Segment: Monroe Street – 8th Street to 11th Street {Fall 2019}
- 2nd Segment: Garden Street – Observer Highway to 2nd Street {Fall 2019}
- 3rd Segment: Bloomfield Street – 2nd Street to 4th Street {Fall 2019/Winter 2020}
- 4th Segment: Garden Street – 3rd Street to 5th Street {Winter 2020}
- 5th Segment: Jefferson Street – 8th Street to 9th Street {Winter 2020}
- 6th Segment: Jefferson Street – 10th Street to 11th Street {Winter 2020}
- 7th Segment: Monroe Street – 3rd Street to 4th Street {Winter/Spring 2020}
- 8th Segment: Garden Street – 12th Street to 14th Street {Spring 2020}
The project is thought to take approximately eight months and should be completed in Spring 2020. Road closures should be anticipated for project areas.
For more information on the first phase of the water main replacement project, click here.
Lokal Expected to Open September 21st in Jersey City
The newest addition to the culinary scene in Jersey City, Lokal, is expected to open its doors to the public on September 21st. The restaurant will be filling the space of what was once Taphaus. Owned by Mona Panjwani, the restaurant will feature a menu boasting modern American cuisine as well as sweeping views of the NYC skyline and waterfront. In the meantime, check out a preview of the space here.
Short Hills Mall to Host Peace of Mind Campaign Panel Moderated by Hoboken Girl Founder
On Thursday, September 26th, the Short Hills Mall will be hosting a fun and informative panel that will focus on discussing behavioral health, self-care, and wellness to support the Trinitas Health Foundation’s Peace of Mind Campaign Panel. The event will be moderated by Hoboken Girl’s very own Jennifer Tripucka and will feature special guests Lockey Maisonneuve, Brittany Messuti, and Nubia Duvall Wilson — all with amazing stories to share. Register to attend this event here.
Bijou Properties and Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation to Build 7 Seventy House in Hoboken
Bijou Properties has partnered with Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation, two developers who have previously worked together to develop Vine at 900 Monroe Street, are teaming up once again to create 7 Seventy House. This new development will be a collection of 424 luxury rental properties and retail space that will be located at 7th and Jackson Street and is nearing completion.
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