Summer is officially here and it came with a heat wave all across New Jersey. There is lots of news happening in Hoboken and Jersey City. It has been another week of news in Hudson County, and we’ve got all the headlines to get you caught up, as we do every week — from all around the internet. Among the local news: SW3AT Wellness is closing its Hoboken location; Jersey City’s “Rock the Block” events are happening this week; and new Hoboken restaurant, Gotan launches dinner service. Keep reading for all the news in Hoboken + Jersey City for the week ending on June 23rd, 2024.
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Among the Headlines (read on for the full stories):
- Vintage On First Closing in Hoboken
- Fire Temporarily Shuts Down Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza in Jersey City
- LGBTQ Groups Raise Mpox Awareness as Cases Spike in Hudson County
- Pizza Twist Opens at Powerhouse Arts District in Jersey City
- Koocheh Coffee Opening in Uptown Hoboken
- Signage Up at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Shop in Downtown Jersey City
- NJ Requiring Lead-Based Paint Inspections for Certain Rental Properties
- Jersey City’s “Rock the Block” Events are Happening This Week
- Alfalfa Opens 5th Location in Downtown Hoboken
- Victory Point, Jersey City’s Newest Game Shop, is Open
Alfalfa Opens 5th Location in Downtown Hoboken
Alfalfa, a born-in-Hoboken salad spot, well-known for its salads, wraps, breakfast burritos, and homemade gluten-free doughnuts, announced back in February that it would be opening its fifth store. The restaurant has charmed salad lovers on the East and West Coasts since its first restaurant opened in 2019 at 1110 Washington Street in Hoboken. Alfalfa is now open in the former Sobseys Produce grocery store at 92 Bloomfield Street in Hoboken — back where it all began. Click here for more.
NJ Requiring Lead-Based Paint Inspections for Certain Rental Properties
The State of New Jersey passed the 2022 New Jersey Lead Safe Certification Law requiring property owners who rent units in buildings that were built before 1978 to schedule lead inspections. The inspections must be done with a certified municipal inspector or private certified contractor, and property owners must receive a lead-safe certificate by July 22nd, 2024, per a press release from the City of Hoboken. Click here for more.
Pulaski Skyway Closure Due to Construction on Bridge
The Pulaski Skyway between Jersey City and Newark was closed in both directions for most of the weekend as crews performed rehabilitation work on the 92-year-old bridge. Per NJ.com, motorists were detoured for work that began last week at Pier 53 near the Broadway Avenue ramp in Jersey City. To avoid delays in the future, the Department of Transportation is encouraging motorists to use the NJ Turnpike-Hudson County Extension to all destinations, including the Holland Tunnel, I-78, or to I-280/Route 7 and Route 1+9 Truck southbound whenever the Pulaski Skyway is closed.
Vintage On First Closing in Hoboken
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Beloved Hoboken thrift shop, Vintage on First at 257 First Street, is starting a new chapter down the shore. The store became a community favorite after a turbulent start in Hoboken several years ago, but the owner, Mark Rosado, says he’s switching gears and seizing a new opportunity by taking over a new shop in Belmar. We now know that the Hoboken location will close its doors for good on July 1st, 2024. Click here for more.
NYC-Bound PATH Trains Will No Longer Bypass Grove Street Station
Back in April, PATH announced that NYC-bound PATH trains would not stop at the Grove Street PATH station for several weekends beginning Saturday, April 6th, and continuing through June 30th, 2024. Now, since the rehabilitation project was completed ahead of schedule, trains will no longer bypass the Grove Street PATH station, as of Saturday, June 22nd. Click here for more.
Wheelchair Accessible Boat Makes its Way to Jersey City
Boarding boats is often difficult for those in a wheelchair. Christopher Reeve’s Foundation, founded by late actor Christopher Reeve and his late wife Dana, has come to the rescue in Jersey City. Per Patch Jersey City, a wheelchair-accessible boat called The Impossible Dream will be making its way up the East Coast this summer. The boat was docked in Jersey City on Friday, June 21st. The Impossible Dream is part of the Christopher + Dana Reeve Foundation’s “Outdoors for Everyone” initiative meant to make key outdoor spaces more accessible.
Weehawken Pool Opens Early, But Caps Season Passes For the Summer
Due to the current heatwave, the Weehawken pool opened on weekday evenings last week, several days ahead of schedule. Per Patch Hoboken, the town of Weehawken announced that they capped season pass registrations because of high demand. Although memberships are available to all residents of New Jersey, the pool has reached the maximum capacity limit two months ahead of previous years. Day passes will still be available (capped at 30 per day), but only starting on Tuesday, June 25th. Click here for more.
City of Hoboken Developing New Resource To Help Navigate Curbside Spaces
A new guide to better help navigate the streets of Hoboken is in the works. The City of Hoboken announced it launched the first phase of the “Curb Reimagined” project this spring per a recent press release. The resource will provide residents and visitors with information about parking, outdoor dining spaces, and active construction zones while also helping the city understand parking challenges and opportunities. Click here for more.
Interior Designer to Open Decor Retail Space in Former Goldie Jewelry Pop-Up Space
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The Uptown Hoboken retail scene is to see some changes over the coming weeks. The Margo Market concept store, located at 1102 Washington Street, had been a go-to clothing and jewelry shop for several years. The boutique closed as of February 15th, 2024, but opened a popular pop-up charm and permanent jewelry shop ‘Goldie’ by its same owners. The pop-up was located in the same location as the former storefront, only through June 2024. As of last weekend, Goldie closed its doors, ending the Margo Market era in the space. A new interior design furnishings retail shop is now coming to the space by a local interior designer, Antoinette Allande. Click here for more.
Hoboken Biergarten + Wholesome New York Cowboy Present Hoboken Hoedown
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The Hoboken Hoedown is a music event held at “The Hoboken Club,” (formerly Kolo Klub) on June 27th at 7PM. The venue is located on the second floor of the newly owned Hoboken Biergarten (formerly Pilsener Haus). Hoboken Biergarten announced the event via Instagram on June 4th. Attendees are encouraged to dress the part, and dance the night away to live Country and Western music. Resident band Nolan Lunsford and His Turnstyle Troubadors will feature a guest band monthly. This time around, the event will feature musician Timbo. Also, DJ Jukebox Cowgirl will be spinning country classics throughout the evening. For tickets click here.
LeFrak Launches Leasing for New Rental With Pickleball Court in Newport
Photo Credit: Newport Associates Development Company
LeFrak launched leasing for its new rental development called Bisby in Newport, NJ on June 10th. Per Jersey Digs, the 34-story building features 385 homes ranging from studios to four-bedroom penthouses. Amenities include a two-level coworking center, golf simulator, dedicated content studio, dog spa, and a 33,000-square-foot landscaped roof deck with a pickleball court, dog run, and outdoor kitchen.
This Local Nonprofit Provides Support for Adults With Special Needs
Nearly 13% of young people aged 6-21 in New Jersey receive federal special education support. However, once this group of children reaches the age of 21, they experience what is known as ‘falling off the cliff’ — as many federally funded resources are no longer available. Enter Home Sweet Hudson, a local non-profit founded by long-time Hudson County resident David Tornabene, whose mission is to support low-income families who have adults with special needs. We had a chance to connect with David to learn more about the needs in this community, the role Home Sweet Hudson plays in supporting the community, and how others can get involved. Click here for more.
Why Are Sinkholes Happening in Hoboken?
Photo Credit: @brendanjdrury
On Friday, June 14th, a sinkhole opened up in Hoboken on Sinatra Drive along the waterfront. While it wasn’t big enough to stop traffic, the opening was larger than your average pothole. It’s not the first time the ground opened in Hoboken, and it raises some questions about why this keeps happening in the Mile Square City. Click here for more.
Secaucus Brush Fire Impacts NJ Turnpike Causing Delays
A huge brush fire erupted in Secaucus, on Thursday, June 20th impacting traffic right at the evening rush hour around the area. If you were driving in or around Hoboken, Jersey City, or New York City — you were likely affected. Traffic was backed up to Newark earlier on due to the fire. Click here for more.
Federal Government Provides $6.8B Grant to Fund New Tunnels Under Hudson River
The $16 billion Gateway Tunnel project received a $6.8 billion full-funding grant from the federal government on June 11th. Per ROI-NJ, the project will provide two new tunnels under the Hudson River and improve the existing ones by 2035. Work on major infrastructure updates on both sides of the Hudson River already has begun, and this grant will begin the process of hiring crews to start the dig that will lead to the new two tunnels.
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy Announces Completion Of Jersey City Mural
Photo Credit: Jennifer Brown/City of Jersey City
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy and the Board of County Commissioners announced on June 11th the completion of a mural entitled As Above, So Below (Past, Present, Future Forward) by artist Jesse Wright located at Ocean Avenue and Bidwell Avenue. Per a Hudson County press release, this mural is part of the Hudson County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs & Tourism Development’s County Mural Program in conjunction with the Jersey City Mural Program and the Jersey City Police Department. Jesse describes this mural as one that tells the story of a person’s past, present, and future aspirations.
SW3AT Wellness Closing Hoboken Location
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The owners of SW3AT Wellness announced via Instagram on June 18th the closure of its Hoboken location at 79 Hudson Street. June 29th will be its final day of operation. To celebrate its time in the community, the wellness center will be running never-before-seen sales and specials during the final week. Click here for more.
Jersey City Teacher Charged for Making Inappropriate Contact with High School Student
On June 14th a University Academy Charter High School teacher was arrested after making inappropriate contact with a juvenile student. The crime occurred on May 29th during school hours. Per the Hudson County prosecutor’s office press release, Steven Gordon, 67, of Jersey City, is charged with Criminal Sexual Contact, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Steven resigned from his position following the investigation.
New Sunday Family Meal At Hoboken Restaurant, BYRD
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BYRD, a new restaurant in Hoboken, now has a family meal on Sundays that features a whole roasted lamb leg, paired with potatoes, carrots, peas, mint salad, capers, and rich gravy. The owners shared via Instagram on June 20th that this meal is great for feeding about six guests and is available by pre-order only. Email [email protected] for information and bookings, and click here to learn more about BYRD.
Pizza Twist Opens at Powerhouse Arts District in Jersey City
Pizza Twist, a West Coast pizza restaurant best known for its Indian fusion pies, launched a second location in Jersey City. Per Jersey Digs, the outpost is now open at 10 Provost Street in the Powerhouse Arts District. Pizza Twist is open daily from 11AM until 10PM with service on Friday and Saturday until midnight. The brand previously opened its first Jersey City location several years ago inside 2 Journal Square.
New Hoboken Restaurant, Gotan, Launches Dinner Service
Gotan Cafe, a new Mediterranean restaurant at 7 Seventy House in Hoboken, now provides dinner service. Its grand opening and ribbon cutting happened on June 10th. The event featured samples from its new dinner menu. Click here for more about Gotan.
The First NJ Adventure Summit is Happening at Liberty State Park
The inaugural New Jersey Adventure Summit will be held at Liberty State Park on September 14th from 12PM-8PM. Per the Mountain Goat Movement website, the event will feature outdoor activities, food trucks, live music, inspirational speakers, local businesses, and more. The rain date is scheduled for Sunday, September 15th from 12PM-8PM.
Jersey City Mayor Fulop Gives Oath of Office to Police Academy Class of 2024
Photo Credit: Jennifer Brown/City of Jersey City
Mayor Steven Fulop joined City Council members and Public Safety officials inside City Hall Council Chambers on June 13th to swear in five new JCPD officers from the police academy class of 2024. Per the City of Jersey City press release, there have been 34 academy classes with over 800 officers hired under the Fulop Administration since 2013. Further, Jersey City achieved the lowest homicide rate among the top 100 East Coast cities last year.
LGBTQ Groups Raise Mpox Awareness as Cases Spike in Hudson County
LGBTQ groups and healthcare organizations in Hudson County, New Jersey and New York are quickly raising awareness about the potential spread of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, after the latest case numbers for 2024 spike. Per NJ.com, the number of cases is nowhere near the volume in 2022, but still a significant 50% spike from a quiet 2023. Reported cases are happening mostly among Black or Hispanic men who have sex with men between the ages of 25-44. Officials are stressing the importance of getting vaccinated as soon as possible. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the mpox vaccine is a two-shot course. The second shot is administered four weeks after the first one. People are considered to have max protection two weeks after the second dose.
Signage Up at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Shop in Downtown Jersey City
The ice cream scene in Downtown Jersey City is getting a serious addition with the arrival of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Shop at 347 Grove Street. The well-known ice cream shop is taking over the empty spot which was once home to the Borinquen Laundromat, and signage was recently put up as the spot takes steps towards opening. This will be the popular ice cream chain’s second New Jersey location, with the first being in the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford. Click here for more.
Fire Temporarily Shuts Down Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza in Jersey City
On June 15th, Jersey City firefighters extinguished a fire at the JC Taekwondo Academy at 150 Newark Avenue. Fire trucks lined the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza and Bay Street, blocking off surrounding streets to put out the fire. Click here for more.
What Was on Top of the Empire State Building?
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The Empire State Building is always lit up with different lights honoring different causes throughout the year. In fact — there’s a daily schedule you can even find online, with impeccable viewing from the Hoboken waterfront and some of Jersey City. But on Sunday, June 16th, there was a bit of a different look; some might even say it was reminiscent of King Kong circa 1983 vibes. So, what was on top of the Empire State Building? It appeared to be Vhagar, a promo for the House of Dragon’s return — 270-feet tall, coiled around the building’s mast. Click here for more.
Jersey City Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Manufacturing Fentanyl
A Jersey City man received a 16-year prison sentence for running a fentanyl manufacturing facility out of a local hotel room. Per the Hudson County View, Jabar Evans, 45, was arrested in his hotel room where law enforcement found over 12,000 glassines of fentanyl, bags containing hundreds of grams of uncut fentanyl and methamphetamine, and narcotics packaging and manufacturing equipment. Jabar was convicted on October 20th, 2023, of unlawful possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy Named New Chairman of HCDO
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Hudson County Executive Craig Guy was named the new chairman of the local Democratic party at the bi-annual reorganization meeting on June 17th. This was an expected result since April with no other candidates emerging. Per the Hudson County View, former Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) Chair Anthony Vainieri, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chair Leroy Jones, and Gov. Phil Murphy (D) all endorsed Guy for the post in May.
Jersey City Man Arrested for Sexual Assault in Journal Square
A Jersey City man was arrested in connection with a sexual assault incident that occurred on June 2nd. Per the Jersey City Times, Marc Toledo, 30, was arrested by members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Jersey City on June 18th. Following the incident, the 22-year-old victim reported that she was approached by an unknown man in Journal Square on the morning of the assault. After she got into an automobile he was driving, he drove her to the area of Division Street and Eighth Street and sexually assaulted her inside the vehicle. Marc is charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault, Kidnapping, Sexual Assault, Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats, and Criminal Restraint.
Victory Point, Jersey City’s Newest Game Shop, is Open
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Victory Point, a new game store for purchase and play, recently opened in downtown Jersey City — bringing together a community of game board and card game enthusiasts. Located at 112 Brunswick Street, Victory Point hosts events, including pre-releases for trading cards, and even tournaments. The idea originated from three pals who were looking for something different to do after their full-time jobs. Click here for more.
Stephan Drennan Appointed as Chief of NJ’s Largest Municipal Fire Department
Acting Jersey City Fire Chief Stephan Drennan was sworn in as the new permanent chief, along with 14 new recruits at City Hall on June 18th. Per the Hudson County View, Stephan is an over four-decade veteran of the department and has been serving as the acting chief since April of 2023. At the ceremony, Mayor Steven Fulop mentioned that Stephan is the 17th member of his family to serve in the fire department, making over 500 collective years of service.
Spotted Lanternflies Are Back in New Jersey
Photo Credit: City of Hoboken via X
On the list of New Jersey Agricultural Department’s ‘report immediately’ (and destroy) are lanternfly bugs — which are invasive planthopper bugs. The insects are now in their nymph stage, which means locals should stomp the bugs as they see them. Lanternfly bugs are detrimental to plants and our ecosystem. Lanternfly nymphs are black with white spots but at any time from now through September, they’ll take on their distinct red color. Click here for more.
K0ocheh Coffee Opening in Uptown Hoboken
Earlier this year, The Hoboken Girl reported on the closure of the uptown Hoboken coffee shop City of Saints. At the time, it was unknown what would take over the business’s space at 1320 Bloomfield Street. Now we know that a coffee shop called Koocheh Coffee will take over the space — and is opening during the week of June 19th. Click here for more.
Hudson County Community College Breaks Ground on $96.3M Tower in Journal Square
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Hudson County Community College (HCCC) broke ground at 2 Enos Place on a $96.3 million, 11-story tower in Journal Square. Per the Hudson County View, the tower will house a gymnasium, theater, classrooms, conference rooms, offices, and more. Officially named the HCCC Center for Student Success, the project is being constructed one block from the Journal Square PATH station on an existing HCCC-owned parking lot. It will replace several of the college’s small, segregated buildings.
Former Jersey City Board of Education President Sentenced to Prison for Embezzlement
A former Jersey City Board of Education President and acting executive director of the now defunct Jersey City Employment and Training Program, received a two-month prison sentence on June 17th for embezzlement and fraud. Per the Hudson County View, Sudhan Thomas, 48, of Jersey City, pleaded guilty in June 2023 before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini to embezzling funds from JCETP, an organization that received federal funds, and wire fraud for embezzling money from his 2016 Jersey City BOE campaign. Sudhan embezzled more than $45,000 from JCETP from March 2019 through July 2019.
Jersey City’s “Rock the Block” Events are Happening This Week
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The annual “Rock the Block” events in Jersey City are presented by the JCPD and JCFD and will take place in each district from June 24th to June 27th, weather permitting. Per NJ.com, the free events will allow families and residents to meet and mingle with police officers and firefighters. The block parties will include food, drinks, games, rides, giveaways, and more.
International Day of Yoga Took Place at Pier A in Hoboken
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Set against the majestic backdrop of the NYC skyline along the Hudson River, the first International Day of Yoga Hoboken happened on Friday, June 21st from 4PM to 9PM. The event honored the timeless tradition of yoga that originated in India and has now evolved into a worldwide practice. Designed to cultivate a positive mindset, inner peace, and connection — the event featured soulful om chants on the pier, open-level vinyasa flows, a soothing sound bath for deep relaxation, and a rhythmic kirtan ceremony to close out the evening. Click here for more.
