Spooky season is in full swing and in between sipping pumpkin spice lattes and planning where to go apple picking, it’s time to start thinking about where to buy a future jack-o’-lantern. There’s nothing like going to a pumpkin patch, but for those looking for something quick + local, there are a few places in Hoboken + Jersey City to pick up a pumpkin and get the fall vibes started right away. Keep reading for a round-up of some of the places in Hoboken + Jersey City to buy a carving pumpkin.
Hoboken
Hoboken Farmer’s Market | 400 Garden Street
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The Hoboken Farmer’s Market takes place on Tuesdays from 2PM-7PM. The vendors provide an assortment of locally grown pumpkins and gourds throughout the season.
Read More: Where to Get Fall Decor in Hoboken
Kings Food Markets | 1212 Shipyard Lane
Kings Food Markets has a selection of pumpkins in the front of the store. The soon-to-be jack-o’-lanterns cost between $7.99-$9.99. The specialty grocery store also has mini pumpkins for sale and there are seasonal flavors throughout the store including pumpkin loaf cakes, doughnuts, and muffins in the bakery.
ShopRite | 900 Madison Street
ShopRite is a big supermarket where Hoboken shoppers can pick out a carving pumpkin while grabbing other weekly groceries. This is also an easy spot to go ahead and stock up on Halloween candy before the 31st.
Trader Joe’s | 1350 Willow Avenue
Trader Joe’s always gets in the seasonal spirit and has a big selection of traditional carving pumpkins, fantasy pumpkins, and mini pumpkins. Plus this is a great place to stock up on fall-flavored treats, like pumpkin Joe-Joe’s or pumpkin ice cream, so you can turn your pumpkin carving party into a full-blown pumpkin palooza.
Uptown Farmers Market | 404 14th Street
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This is another farmer’s market option in Hoboken that runs on Saturdays from 9AM-2PM. Shoppers can pick up carving pumpkins, gourds, and all kinds of fresh, seasonal produce during their visit.
Jersey City
14th Street Garden Center | 793 Jersey Avenue
The 14th Street Garden Center transforms its outdoor space into a mini pumpkin patch each fall. There is an assortment of orange and white carving pumpkins along with multi-colored gourds and heirloom pumpkins covered in “warts.” The garden center also has mums and skull planters for sale for those looking to incorporate flowers into their Halloween decorations.
ACME | 125 18th Street
ACME has a bunch of gourd options outside the store. There’s a display and a huge cardboard box filled with traditional orange carving pumpkins. Customers can also pick up pie pumpkins for $2.99 each which can be turned into mini jack-o’-lanterns. The store even sells specialty pumpkins, like the unique blue doll variety, which can add some fun variety to fall displays.
Historic Downtown Jersey City Farmers Market | Grove Street PATH Plaza
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The Historic Downtown Jersey City Farmers Market runs on Mondays + Wednesdays from 4PM-8PM. Local vendors have a variety of carving pumpkins, mini pumpkins + gourds. Shoppers can also pick up farm-fresh apple cider and seasonal flower bouquets at the market.
Home Depot | 180 12th Street
The Holland Tunnel Home Depot has carving pumpkins in the garden center. The store also has some spooky decorations for those who need to add the finishing touches to their Halloween displays.
Hudson Greene Market | 77 Hudson Street
Hudson Greene Market has an autumn display right at the entrance of the store. Carving pumpkins are available for $5.99 each and mini, decorative pumpkins are just $0.99 each. Ornamental corn is also in stock and on the same display as the pumpkins.
Key Food Fresh + Natural | 574 Jersey Avenue
Key Food has fall options throughout the store. Customers can find pumpkin cake doughnuts and apple pies on display and a member of The Hoboken Girl Insiders Facebook Group shared a tip that a ton of pumpkins were being unloaded at this store just the other day.
Paulus Hook Farmers Market | 158 Washington Street
The Paulus Hook Farmers Market has locally-grown gourds from Stony Hill Farms. The selection includes carving pumpkins, mini pumpkins, and decorative gourds. Shoppers can also grab seasonal produce like acorn squash and parsnips in addition to the pumpkins. This market runs on Saturdays from 10AM-4PM.
See More: The Best New Jersey Activities to Try in the Fall
Sprove Market Place | 70 Columbus Drive
Sprove has a selection of orange carving pumpkins for $7.99 each. These pumpkins are the ideal size for jack-o’-lanterns. The display is in the produce section near the front of the store and this is a convenient stop for any pumpkin lovers who live near the Grove Street PATH station.
Alessio’s to Open Casa Italia Gourmet Market in Hoboken
If you live in Hoboken and Jersey City, you've likely heard of Alessio's. Founded by Luca Infantino, the cafe made its debut in the Mile Square in 2020 and has quickly become a local favorite for Italian eats and goodies. In recent years, the brand has expanded to three locations in Hoboken and Jersey City — and we recently found out about Luca's next venture. Enter Casa Italia — a gourmet Italian specialty market. The Hoboken Girl had the chance to chat with Luca to learn more about the new spot, which is looking to open this April at 600 Park Avenue. Read on for what we know about Casa Italia Gourmet Market's arrival in Hoboken, New Jersey.
What is Casa Italia Gourmet Market?
Casa Italia will be a gourmet market serving up specialty Italian products to the Hoboken community at 600 Park Avenue next to Mr. L Hair Creations. Signage was first spotted by an eagle-eyed Hoboken Girl reader on Friday, February 28th. Inside, customers can look forward to browsing, specialty meats + cheeses from Italy, Spain, France, and beyond, as well as olive oil, fresh pasta, fresh bread, and so much more.
"We are very excited to bring this to life right in the heart of Hoboken," Luca shared with The Hoboken Girl.
Read More: Meximodo Opening 2nd New Jersey Location in Downtown Jersey City
A variety of sweets, snacks, jarred goods, and pizza kits will also be available, including all of Alessio's sauces (vodka, pesto, and marinara.)
Aside from all of the Italian goodies available, there will be a section for grab-and-go food. If you can't make it to Hoboken, Luca shared that Casa Italia will have an online store with products that can be shipped nationwide with same day or next day delivery to the NYC metro area.
"The goal is really to shrink the gap we have in town and in the area regarding finding specialty products that right now you can find only in NYC or very randomly in other places," Luca said. "We want to be THE destination for customers looking for something really special for their charcuterie board, their sunday dinner, their gal hangout, etc."
Casa Italia Gourmet Market is aiming to open before the upcoming holidays in April, if not before. This post will be updated with any further details surrounding its arrival in Hoboken.
The Influence of Alessio's in Hoboken + Jersey City
Photo Credit: Hannah Taub
Alessio’s, which has locations at 539 Park Avenue + 1201 Madison Street in Hoboken and 99 Franklin Street in Jersey City, is an Italian pizzeria and cafe that serves up everything from coffee, breakfast sandwiches (PS: try our HG breakfast sandwich that gives back to local non-profits), and pastries to pizza, paninis, and gelato. Owner Luca Infantino was born and raised in Italy and moved to the United States in 2011. After living in Weehawken, Luca fell in love with Hoboken and paved his way in the fashion industry before taking the jump into food service and opening up the Hoboken location in 2020. The Jersey City location opened in summer 2023, and the cafe’s next project — Terrace by Alessio’s — opened in Hoboken’s Northwest Resiliency Park last spring. Alessio’s also has two kiosks in Pier A Park during the summer months. Casa Italia Gourmet Market in Hoboken will be Luca's fourth venture in Hudson County.
Alessio’s — named after Luca’s son — has quickly become a staple in Hudson County and is known for its authentic Italian products and the real feel of an Italian cafe. The spot prides itself on the quality of its food, customer service, and being involved in the community. “We are proud to be a “community-based” business, a safe place for children, students, families. Alessio’s always supports charity requests, events sponsorship, etc,” Luca shared with HG.
See More: 8 Italian Food Spots in Montclair with Old-School Vibes
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