Happy Sunday, Hoboken and Jersey City! The first week of 2019 has already been an eventful one. Going into this new year, more than two dozen new laws are expected to go into effect at various times throughout the calendar year. From a smoking ban on public beaches to new statewide gun legislation, 2019 is certainly on track to see a lot of legislation changes. We’ve also included a roundup of the arrests made on New Year’s and an update on the BTS makeup pop-up store coming to Washington Street. Keep reading for the latest headlines in Jersey City and Hoboken!
Two Dozen New Laws Going into Effect in 2019
{Photo via Pexels}
The State of New Jersey is seeing about two dozen new laws go into effect in this coming year, 2019. Among these new laws include a ban on smoking at public beaches, a state mandate for health insurance, the new ability for courts to suspend guns from individuals who pose a danger to society, and a law that makes it easier for transgender people to amend their birth certificates.
The smoking ban at public beaches in New Jersey goes into effect on January 16, 2019. Governor Phil Murphy signed the bill back in July 2018. The bill leaves room for communities to opt out of the ban, designate 15% of the beach for smokers, and also allows smoking in the parking lot of public beaches.
The health insurance mandate requires health care coverage for all, statewide. This mandate comes as a direct response to the 2017 federal tax overhaul that eradicated the Affordable Care Act’s requirement to have insurance. Under the mandate, residents without insurance face a fee 2.5% of their income or $695 per taxpayer. It took effect on January 1, 2019.
The gun violence protective order was a package of gun violence-oriented bills that Governor Murphy signed back in June 2018. One of those bills, known as the Extreme Risk Protective Order Act of 2018, allows courts to issue protective orders to seize someone’s gun when and if that person poses “a significant risk of personal injury” to either themselves or others. This bill goes into effect September 1, 2019.
Updates on the BTS Pop-Up Store Opening This Weekend
{Photo courtesy of IM Beauty}
The VT x BTS pop-up store is officially open at the former Makeovers location on 327 Washington Street in Hoboken. The pop-up, which features a makeup collaboration from the Korean boy band BTS, launched yesterday, January 5 and will go on for either one or two weeks. {Representatives of the store say it depends on foot traffic and how well the store sells!}
Two different cosmetic lines are available to shoppers — BT21 and VT x BTS. IM Beauty is the only vendor that carries VT x BTS Cosmetics line on the East Coast.
Open from 10AM to 6PM, the first 50 fans to arrive on Saturday received a limited edition photo gift with purchase. The pop-up also features a BTS Photo Zone where fans can take pictures and get signed postcards from the boys!
NYC Pharmacies To Discontinue Selling Cigarettes in 2019
{Photo via Pexels}
As of January 1, 2019, New York City pharmacies will no longer be selling cigarettes. This ban includes all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Any businesses that have a pharmacy located inside will also no longer be able to sell tobacco products. The City Health Department is defending the law, stating it “protects the health of residents from the harmful effects of smoking and secondhand smoke.”
PATH World Trade Center Closes on Weekends
{Photo via Twitter}
The PATH World Trade Center Station will be closed on weekends, effective yesterday, January 5. It will be closed from 12:01AM Saturday to 5AM Monday {except on major holidays}. The reason behind the weekend closures is to replace PATH equipment that was damaged during Hurricane Sandy. Free transfer to ferry service is available. Learn more information here.
Rock & Reilly’s Coming to the Former Melting Pot Location
{Photo via Instagram}
Sinatra Drive is getting a new bar and restaurant: an upscale Irish pub called Rock & Reilly’s. Set to take over the former Melting Pot’s location at 100 Sinatra Drive, Rock & Reilly’s originated on the West Coast in Los Angeles and also has locations in Las Vegas. The gastropub-style menu offers fan-favorites like Irish nachos, Dublin Street tacos, and shepherd’s pie.
The Melting Pot closed back in 2014 and the location has remained vacant ever since. There was a rumor that World of Beer was going to take over the location, but the plans never came to fruition and eventually fell through.
PSE&G Continues Updating the Hoboken Grid
{Photo via Pexels}
PSE&G just wrapped working on a $175 million project to improve Hoboken’s power grid. The upgrade seeks to consolidate both Marshall and Madison Street substations into one on Madison. The thought behind the merge is that it will protect the station from flooding, a common Hoboken issue.
“To date, the company has installed more than 350 miles of sturdier and taller overhead 69kV circuit poles in more than 60 municipalities—69kV transmission lines are the standard of the 21st century and are needed to address increasing demand, reliability and storm preparedness,” says a statement from PSE&G.
The PSE&G project will also update the electrical system infrastructure. Work was expected to end earlier this week, on January 4.
Five People Spend New Year’s in Hoboken Jail
From 11:30PM New Year’s Eve to 2AM New Year’s morning, Hoboken police responded to 162 calls, five of which culminated in arrests. Three of the five arrests were made for disorderly conduct. One was for drug possession and another was for criminal mischief.
The criminal mischief charge refers to an incident that occurred at 11:31PM Monday. A 22-year-old man allegedly kicked a window at Basile’s Pizzeria, causing an estimated $1,000 in damage. Police Officers Samuel Flores and Jonathon Lyons responded on the scene where they met a NJ Transit officer who alleged he saw the incident take place.
Firefighters Hospitalized After Responding to Jersey City Fire
Two firefighters were hospitalized after responding to a three-alarm fire inside a multi-family home in Jersey City. The incident took place on Wednesday when a fire erupted in the rear apartment of a house on Garfield Avenue at 9AM. The fire spread through the first floor of the home and made its way to the next door building.
“All the residents, as far as we know, got out of the building, we’re doing interviews right now with our arson investigation team,” Jersey City Fire Department Chief Steven McGill said.
Investigators have come to learn the fire started in an apartment that was supposed to be vacated Wednesday. “We’re going to go in there to start our investigation to see what the cause was,” McGill added.
Five families were displaced, some of which are staying with family in the interim; others are housed by Red Cross.
In addition to the five families displaced, two firefighters also suffered as a result of battling the fire. The cause behind the hospitalizations has been listed as exhaustion. Both firefighters are expected to make full recoveries.
Art House Productions Hosts Snow Ball 2019
{Photo via Instagram}
Art House Productions and the Board of Trustees is ready to present its 13th Annual Snow Ball, a black tie gala to benefit the Productions’ non-profit performing and visual arts programs. The gala will feature a buffet, martini bar, wine, beer, champagne, live entertainment from Cook Thugless and DJ George Soul, a silent and live auction, and a costume contest. The event will be hosted by Harmonica Sunbeam on Saturday, January 26 at 7PM, VIP starts at 6PM. Tickets are $150 in advance, $175 at the door, $250 for VIP tickets. The event takes place at Art House Productions at the Cast Iron Lofts at 262 17th Street in Jersey City. If you’re interested in purchasing tickets, you can do that here.
Busy Bee Organics Opening New Storefront in Jersey City Heights
Busy Bee Organics, a healthy meal-prep business, is moving to Riverview Park in Jersey City Heights. The company was founded in 2014 by Michelle Berckes and has been operating out of 189 Brunswick Street in Downtown ever since.
Busy Bee uses a team of nutrition professionals and all-natural food chefs to design and create prepped meals for customers. BB has also partnered with The Brunswick School since 2015 to create nutritional options for their organic food program that serves over 200 kids a day.
The downtown space is now closed in preparation of Busy Bee’s move. The larger space promises more menu options and more space for their delivery area. BB is also working on a brick and mortar store, expected to open in spring.
Milk Sugar Love Opening Jersey City Location in April
Milk Sugar Love already has us thinking of warmer weather {and by extension, colder food} with its recent announcement of a new Jersey City Heights location. The new location is looking at a grand opening of Saturday, April 6th and will be situated at 394 Palisade Avenue. It will mark Milk Sugar Love’s second shop in Jersey City, with the original site located in Hamilton Park. The menu will feature 12 ice cream flavors and an espresso menu.
‘For Rent’ Signs Go Up at Re-Juice-A-Nation Location
Hoboken Girl previously reported that Re-Juice-a-Nation {on 64 Newark Street} was temporarily closed. Now, readers have reported that ‘For Rent’ signs have gone up and that the location appears to be permanently closed. While Re-Juice-a-Nation hasn’t reported back to us for comment, that is the latest we have. We’ll keep you updated as the story develops.
Have any news tips? Email hello@hobokengirl.com to let us know — we appreciate it.
Have you joined our Facebook group yet? Request here to gain access to even more local tips, and connect with fellow Hudson County residents.
