Olivia Fisher 
There is nothing more local for The Hoboken Girl to share than a guide to the oldest surviving businesses in Jersey City. Jersey City has seen industries come and go, recently saying goodbye to long-standing businesses like Moloney’s Meats that had been around for over 145 years. Here at HG, we did the work of scouring newspapers and deep diving through the internet to uncover as many businesses as we could that have been serving Jersey City for over 55 years. Read on for a guide to the 10 of the oldest businesses in Jersey City.
Barge Inn and Barge Inn Saloon | 324 3rd Street + 410 Monmouth Street
Barge Inn is Jersey City’s oldest Italian restaurant. In 1969, the current owner, Linda Paldino’s father, John Marto, set up shop on the corner of Third Street and Monmouth Street. The space was even used to film Lily of the Feast, a short film starring Goodfellas’ Paul Sorvino. Linda and her husband, Peter “Bitsy”, own the building, and her brother Richie runs the adjacent Barge Inn Saloon at 410 Monmouth Street.
Evergreen Funeral Home | 159 Garrison Avenue
In 1944, Frank Kwiatkowski opened the Kwiatkowski Brothers Garrison Avenue Funeral Home, now called Evergreen Funeral Home, to serve the parish of Saint Ann’s Polish Roman Catholic Church. Frank and his brother Stanley owned and operated the two funeral homes together for several decades. Today, the funeral home is still owned and operated by the Kwiatkowski family.
Helen’s Pizza | 183 Newark Avenue
In 1963, Nicolas Kalcanides left Greece and immigrated to the United States with his wife Irene and their two children, Steven and Helen. For five years, Nicolas worked at a hotdog stand before he opened up Helen’s Pizza in 1968, naming it after his daughter.
Read More: The Stories Behind Old Hoboken Signage
Hudson Lanes | 1 Garfield Avenue
Hudson Lanes has 60 lanes and over 60 years of history. This bowling alley has likely operated out of its Garfield Avenue location since at least 1961.
Morlees | 60 Newark Avenue
Morlees is a family business in Jersey City that has been around for 60 years, when brothers Morton Lee Grodner and Jack Grodner opened the space in 1965. At this clothing store, shoppers can find suits, streetwear, boots, sneakers, and brands like Birkenstock, Patagonia, The North Face, and Ugg. Click here to see some historic photos from the website.
Renato’s Pizza Masters | 278 Central Avenue
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Renato’s Pizza Masters is owned and operated by Richie DeMarchi and his two sons, Mark and Lorenzo. In 1959, Richie DeMarchi’s uncle started the family business. In 1963, Richie began working with his uncle and by 1976 he took over the business.
Riotto Funeral Home & Cremation Company | 3205 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Riotto Funeral Home & Cremation Company began in 1951 when Randy Riotto Sr. became a licensed funeral director. A few years later, he and his mother, Mary, purchased a 1929 Art Deco building on what is now John F. Kennedy Boulevard. They celebrated the grand opening of the family business in 1958.
Second Street Bakery | 402 2nd Street
Second Street Bakery has served Jersey City for over a century and was founded by Antonio “Tony” Senescalchi and his brothers. The bakery was passed to his son, Anthony, and is currently run by Anthony’s son, Gino.
Torico Homemade Ice Cream | 20 Erie Street
Torico Homemade Ice Cream has been owned and operated by the the same family since the 1960s. In 1968, Pete purchased Jim’s Deli at 20 Erie Street, and the shop has sold ice cream, sherbet, and sweet treats since. In 2010, the building was restored to preserve its 1877 façade.
White Mana | 470 Tonnele Avenue
White Mana opened in the Western Slope neighborhood of Jersey City all the way back in 1946. This hamburger fast food spot is connected to White Manna in Hackensack, although the names are indeed spelled slightly differently. Both were opened by Louis Bridges, who tragically passed away in 1947. Upon his death, the Jersey City location was passed to his brother, Webster. Mario Costa Jr., who worked at this location in high school and college, purchased the diner for $80,000 in 1979 from Webster.
See More: 24 of the Oldest Businesses in Montclair
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