Erin Lanahan 
Walking along Washington Street in Hoboken, it’s hard not to notice a handful of empty windows, shuttered doors, and dark storefronts. And we took a walk from 15th Street to the Observer Highway, and counted: right now 24 storefronts are currently empty, with about five of them undergoing renovations. It’s not the first time businesses have closed or moved on from the main strip in Hoboken, but seeing those “For Lease” signs had us wondering: what’s next for Washington Street? So, the HG team took a look at the numbers and spoke with some local experts to see if this is a new trend or if it’s how Hoboken businesses are evolving. Here’s what we learned about the current state of business along Washington Street, what local realtors are saying, and what’s coming in 2026.
Trends Over Time
Store closings aren’t a unique problem for Hoboken, nor is it the first time shops have left the city. Back in 2018, The Hoboken Girl took a closer look at the many closures that occurred over the course of a couple of months. HG found that consumer habits are changing, and they continue to change as we head into 2026.
In 2025, major retailers like Forever 21, Party City, and Rite Aid all closed their doors across the country due to shifting consumer habits and poor finances, per CNN. Online shopping has become more prominent, allowing shoppers to digitally order and deliver all sorts of items instead of heading to a brick-and-mortar store. Food delivery apps, like Uber Eats and Doordash, have also increased over the years, with those apps drawing more than $29 billion in revenue in the United States in 2024.
The concerns Hoboken residents and business owners shared in 2018 seem to still ring true in 2026. For instance, the HG report back in 2018 cited the lack of parking, rising rent, and the growth of online shopping as reasons to why some businesses struggle in Hoboken. When HG spoke with Hoboken realtors in 2026, they echoed those same reasons as to why some businesses struggle to succeed on Washington Street.
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“Small mom and pop businesses have a hard time surviving and competing against Amazon,” one Hoboken realtor, who asked to remain anonymous, told HG. He also shared the frustration small business owners are having with the CLEAR program, where the city of Hoboken is using cameras all over town to issue tickets for those illegally parking. “It’s very hard to have a storefront when there’s no parking outside,” he told HG. “For instance, they have the cameras ticketing cars. The people are illegally parking, and they shouldn’t be illegally parking, but at what cost? So the city is trying to find common ground.”
Another roadblock for small businesses is competing against bigger national brands for these leases. Typically, those national brands have bigger teams that can tackle the opening process, while a small business may have a smaller team to get all the necessary permits to open. “That process to open up a business is very daunting,” he adds. “I think that this is currently the waves and flows of Washington Street and commercial space in general,” he told HG. “it definitely has amplified.”
In 2025, The Hoboken Girl reported several of the closures of both small businesses and bigger chains along Washington Street. It includes Galatea at 1224 Washington Street, Athleta at 316 Washington Street, and Bluemercury at 230 Washington Street.
As older Hoboken business owners sell their businesses and shift to retirement, national brands have been expressing interest in those open retail spaces, according to Bobby Antonicello Jr. with Grid Real Estate. “You’re seeing a lot of new buyers come into the market, purchase these buildings from old Hoboken property owners that have been sitting on them for a long time,” Bobby tells HG. “New investors are buying old leases that are expiring and rents have dramatically risen over the past 10 years in this town.”
After checking out several retail spaces listed for lease on commercial real-estate listing platforms, HG found the monthly rent for a commercial space on Washington Street is about ranges from $6,000 to $10,000 a month, depending on square footage. That’s not to say national brands will always succeed in areas like Washington Street in Hoboken, according to Bobby. “When the majority of the people that are living in Hoboken are working in New York City or commuting out to the suburbs towards Short Hills Mall. That just seems to make more common sense,” Bobby told HG.
What’s Next?
That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for growth in Hoboken. The HG team counted and found Hoboken is one of the most coffee-dense areas in New Jersey, with over 40 coffee shops in one square mile and more on the way. The frequency of coffee shop opening announcements has become a running joke with locals, while others look at it as a feeling of community.
Another trend in Hoboken is the focus on the beauty industry. Back in 2024, HG searched the internet and found over 120 beauty businesses based in Hoboken. From injectables and lashes to med spas and hair salons, the beauty industry continues to grow in Hoboken.
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The Hoboken Girl has learned about several businesses slated to open on Washington Street in 2026.
Cuban Pete’s | 518 Washington Street
Cuban Pete’s, a BYOB Cuban restaurant in Montclair, New Jersey, is moving into the former Charrito’s space at 518 Washington Street. As of December 2025, a sign on the building says ‘coming soon.’
Greens, Goods, + Grill | 603 Washington Street
This new spot will be a convenience store with a fresh kitchen. G3 is designed for the health-conscious individual with a busy lifestyle. It is located in the former Giovanni’s location.
Springbone Kitchen | 506 Washington Street
The fast-casual brand is best known for its bone broth and protein bowls, and will open on Washington Street in early 2026.
Tacobees | 322 Washington Street
This fast-casual Mexican joint is taking over the former Mighty Quinn’s Barbecue spot. The chain uses halal meats and offers vegan and vegetarian options.
Kiehl’s Beauty | 133 Washington Street
This will be the second location of the luxury skin-care brand in New Jersey. It’s taking over the space that was formerly home to a T-Mobile store.
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