The days are getting shorter and cooler as fall quickly approaches. There is a lot 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: Hoboken City Council votes to potentially eliminate free Sunday parking in certain business areas; The Flow Initiative launches a toolkit for Inaugural Bill A1349 mandating free menstrual products in NJ public schools; and Hackensack Meridian opens new primary care + multispecialty practice in Hoboken. Keep reading for all the news in Hoboken + Jersey City for the week ending on September 8th, 2024.
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Among the Headlines (read on for the full stories + more):
- New Seafood Restaurant Opens on the Jersey City Waterfront
- Biscuit Babe Inches Towards Opening in Hoboken
- Hoboken’s The Hive Teams Up with Electric Picks to Launch a Banana Pudding Bun
- Man Severely Injured in Downtown Jersey City Fire
- Hoboken Now Requiring E-bike Delivery Riders to Register with the City
- Craft Cannabis to be Cultivated in Jersey City by Saint Anthony Graduate
- Bayonne Reading Specialist Named Hudson County Teacher of the Year
- New Coffee Shop, Mile Square Cafe, is Coming to Hoboken
- Bayonne to Host One of the Tallest Skyscrapers in New Jersey
New Seafood Restaurant Opens on the Jersey City Waterfront
Photo Credit: Blue Anchor Bar + Kitchen
A new seafood-forward restaurant — called Blue Anchor Bar + Kitchen — is now open in the Newport section of Jersey City at 166 River Drive. The restaurant is located in The Beach complex on the Jersey City waterfront, and serves up locally-sourced seafood and craft cocktails, among other things. Click here for more.
Biscuit Babe Inches Towards Opening in Hoboken
Photo Credit: Nicholas Buseck
The Hoboken Girl first broke the news of Biscuit Babe making its way to Hoboken back in winter 2023. Replacing D’s Soulful Cafe at 918 Willow Avenue, the signage in the photo above was put up in early December. That signage has since been taken down (per the photo below), but a post on Biscuit Babe’s Instagram from August 1st assured locals that the new spot is still taking steps towards opening — saying “hey babes ( ◠‿◠ ) we know you’ve been waiting patiently but just a little more. see you soon babes.” Although specific details regarding the menu are limited, the restaurant’s Instagram photos focus on serving breakfast, brunch, and biscuits. Click here for more.
Updates on the Hoboken City Council Vote to Potentially Eliminate Free Sunday Parking
The Hoboken City Council voted on the potential elimination of free Sunday parking in some Hoboken business areas on Wednesday, September 4th. The City Council voted to adopt the ordinance — limiting the elimination of free parking to Washington Street. Currently, parking is free for both residents and visitors on Sundays in certain Hoboken areas. Marilyn Bear shared with The Hoboken Girl that the City Council adopted the ordinance with a 7-2 vote, and that the Council also introduced an amendment that would further clarify the Sunday meter rates in the business district to be limited to Washington Street. The amendment must pass a second vote before it becomes official, and should take place at the next City Council meeting. Click here for more.
New Coffee Shop, Mile Square Cafe, is Coming to Hoboken
A new spot called Mile Square Cafe will open at 746 Park Avenue in Hoboken, per an application to the City of Hoboken Planning Board. The new spot will sit across from Otto Strada. Local real estate agent Andrew Botticelli posted a YouTube video about the space being for sale eight months ago, and the LoopNet listing for the property has since become inactive. Click here for more.
Hackensack Meridian Opens New Primary Care + Multispecialty Practice in Hoboken
Accessing convenient, advanced medical care on your schedule is now easier than ever. The Hackensack Meridian Medical Group Hoboken Primary Care and Multispecialty practice, located at 5 Marine View Plaza in Hoboken, is a new medical office that provides an extensive range of services under one roof. This state-of-the-art facility accepts most insurances + makes it easy to book same-day primary care and OB/GYN appointments online. Click here for more.
Hoboken Now Requiring E-bike Delivery Riders to Register with the City
In an effort to regulate commercial delivery services, Hoboken is now requiring those who use electric bikes or scooters for delivery to register with and receive a license from the City, as well as take a quiz, pay a small fee, and wear a high-visibility yellow vest when delivering. The news comes after a proposal to license those who use e-bikes for delivery was previously passed earlier this year. Click here for more.
MOKAFÉ Opening New Location at Soho Lofts in Jersey City
Photo Credit: @acords
Signage recently went up for MOKAFÉ at 273 16th Street in the Soho Lofts building in Jersey City. The cafe has other locations in Paterson, New Jersey, as well as Astoria, Queens, and Brooklyn, New York. MOKAFÉ serves up Yemeni and Palestinian-inspired treats — including the viral Dubai chocolate bar, Knafa cracking chocolate iced lattes, and other coffee drinks and pastries — as well as MOKAFÉ-branded coffee blends. The local brand is also opening up four more locations soon in Weehawken, Fort Lee, Times Square, and another location in Brooklyn. Click here for more.
Hoboken Council Approves Controversial Settlement With Pegasus Partners Developers
A controversial settlement clearing the way for hundreds of new apartments and taller buildings in western Hoboken was passed by the city council on September 4th. Per NJ.com, once finalized by the city administration, the agreement would put an end to litigation between developer Pegasus Partners and Hoboken over the planned development of two blocks of land at 1200-1330 Madison Street and 1300 Jefferson Street, both in the city’s Western Edge Redevelopment Area near the Palisade Cliffs.
The Hoboken Italian Festival Ends Today 9/8
While the St. Ann’s Italian Festival in Hoboken and La Festa Italiana in Jersey City have already come and gone, we have one more Italian festival to add to your list before summer is officially over. The Hoboken Italian Festival, which takes place on the waterfront on Sinatra Drive Promenade in Hoboken, has returned for 2024 from Thursday, September 5th to Sunday, September 8th. Also known as the Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri, the festival is complete with delicious eats, entertainment, and more, as well as fireworks and a procession. Click here to learn more about this year’s Hoboken Italian Festival, which ends today September 8th.
Bayonne to Host One of the Tallest Skyscrapers in New Jersey
Bayonne could become home to one of the tallest buildings in New Jersey after the city council approved an allowance for 50-story buildings at Bayonne Harbor. Per NJ.com, the approval shatters the previous maximum number of stories a building could contain at the site, 25. It would alter the coast’s skyline, where only Jersey City has skyscrapers exceeding 45 stories. The council voted on the 50-story buildings in the same meeting that it voted to override a mayoral veto of a redevelopment plan allowing a 10-story building on 25th Street near Broadway. Both were approved in 4-1 votes.
Hoboken’s The Hive Teams Up with Electric Picks to Launch a Banana Pudding Bun
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The Hive has teamed up with Electric Picks to launch a banana pudding bun for September and an EP x The Hive charm bracelet. Team EP was at The Hive from 8AM to 10AM on September 6th to promote the bun. As a special offer, the first 20 people to purchase the bun received a free unreleased EP x The Hive charm bracelet. This exclusive bracelet features three unique charms: a croissant, a cinnamon bun, and a coffee cup. The bracelet and charms will officially launch on September 29th, and they will be available as a complete “The Hive” bracelet or as individual charms. After the first 20, customers can buy the complete bracelet, individual charms, and other EP charm pieces.
Two Jersey City Men Sentenced for Gang-Related Shootings
Two members of a Jersey City gang associated with the Marion Gardens housing complex have been sentenced for their roles in the shootings of their rivals and other gang-related crimes. Per the Jersey City Times, Jakeem Gibson-Madison, aka “Beanz,” 30, of Jersey City was sentenced to 15 years in prison in connection with a shooting on January 9th, 2019. Terick Rogers, aka “Moot,” 32, also of Jersey City, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in a June 30th, 2018, shooting in which he and two other members of the gang, shot five people while celebrating “Meech Day” in honor of a dead, fellow gang member. Both men were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi in Newark federal court and were ordered to serve five-year terms of supervised release following their terms of imprisonment.
The Flow Initiative Launches Inaugural Bill A1349 Toolkit — Free Menstrual Products in NJ Public Schools
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As leaders in the fight against period poverty, The Flow Initiative announced on September 3rd, the release of a free, comprehensive toolkit and fact sheet designed to support New Jersey’s groundbreaking Bill A1349. Set to take effect this September, the legislation mandates the provision of free menstrual health products in public schools across the state. Visit The Flow Initiative’s website for more information and ways to help the organization eradicate period poverty.
Joe Botti is Inducted to the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame
Joe Botti, the former founder, director, and head coach of the Union City Boxing Club, is celebrating his induction into the latest class of the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame. Per the Hudson County View, Joe, a retired Union City Police Captain who was born in Jersey City, founded the club in 1989 in the basement of his apartment building in Union City. Then-Mayor Bob Menendez and city Commissioner Bruce Walter helped Joe move into the Doric Temple on 9th Street + Palisade Avenue in 1992 where the program flourished into one of the premier boxing gyms in the country.
Urban Paddle Expands Pedal Boat Rentals to Parts of Kearny + Harrison
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Urban Paddle is expanding new pedal boat rentals to Fairy Lake in West Hudson Park, which includes parts of Kearny and Harrison, after opening in Lincoln Park in Jersey City and James J. Braddock Park in North Bergen in 2021. Per the Hudson County View, one-hour pedal boat rentals are $10 per person for Hudson County residents, while children nine years old and younger pedal for free with an adult. The rentals are available on Saturdays and Sundays from 10AM until 7PM until the end of October. Click here to make reservations in advance.
Robot Delivery Vehicles Stir Controversy In Jersey City
You may have seen these autonomous delivery robots on some streets in Jersey City. A little background
We are in the loop on this project and currently exploring how best to responsibly utilize them. NYC has banned them but on the JC side we are not sure that banning is the… pic.twitter.com/tdVxlnZ4MP
— Steven Fulop (@StevenFulop) August 27, 2024
Autonomous delivery robots have been rolling around Jersey City and residents have mixed feelings about them. Per Patch Jersey City, Mayor Steven Fulop shared the following statement via X: “We are in the loop on this project and currently exploring how best to responsibly utilize them. NYC has banned them but on the JC side we are not sure that banning is the best approach + we are now exploring options on regulations/parameters. Our administration has always explored and embraced new technology and I think it is something we have done well as a team.”
Hoboken Council Approves $500k Allocation for Public Schools
The Hoboken City Council adopted an ordinance on September 4th approving the administration’s plan to invest an over $500,000 allocation of payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) revenue annually into the city’s four public school districts: Hoboken Public School District, Hoboken Charter School, Elysian Charter School, and Hoboken Dual Language Charter School. Per the Hudson County View, the measure passed unanimously (9-0), which Mayor Ravi Bhalla, who unveiled the proposal in August, applauded in a statement. “I am pleased that the City Council unanimously approved my administration’s proposal to provide much-needed funding for our local schools. This landmark agreement is yet another first for Hoboken, as it is the first of its kind school trust fund in the State, and another innovative mechanism that we are using to support our children.”
Man Severely Injured in Downtown Jersey City Fire
Authorities are investigating a Downtown Jersey City fire that badly injured a 57-year-old man on September 4th. Per the Hudson County View, the Jersey City Fire Department received a 911 call for a fire at 366 ½ 7th Street. Upon arrival, firefighters located an unresponsive 57-year-old man inside the residence with serious injuries. He was transported by Emergency Medical Services to Jersey City Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries. The cause remains under investigation at this time.
Bayonne Reading Specialist Named Hudson County Teacher of the Year
Kelly Carroll, a multi-sensory reading specialist in the Bayonne school district, was named by the state Department of Education as the 2024-25 Hudson County Teacher of the Year. Per NJ.com, she is in the running, along with teachers of the year from 20 other counties, for the state Teacher of the Year award. Kelly, who has spent her 14-year career at Mary J. Donohoe Community School, has been promoted to vice principal at William Shemin Community School. The Hudson County Teacher of the Year says that even though she’s been promoted out of the classroom, she’ll continue to work on district reading initiatives and advocate for all students.
Work to Continue on New Route 139 Parks in Jersey City
The state Department of Transportation (DOT) which is spearheading the creation of Summit Park and Trolley Park along Highway Rt. 139 East has paused the job. Per the Jersey City Times, DOT spokesman Stephen Schapiro said the installation of new pavers and bollards at Summit Park was completed last month. Additionally, plantings will occur in early fall, with new benches and bike racks (to be) installed after the plantings. Work at Trolley Park, coming to a stretch of highway right-of-way off Baldwin Avenue is still awaiting completion of non-related work by the developer of an adjacent residential tower. The work at Trolley Park is projected to resume by early September. Click here for more.
Jersey City Police Find a Man Dead + a Woman With Stab Wounds in the Heights
The Jersey City Police Department (JCPD) found a man dead on arrival and a woman with stab wounds after responding to a home in the Heights on August 20th. Per the Hudson County View, it was reported to police that a 49-year-old female had been fighting with a male known to her when she was stabbed in her neck and left groin area. The female was transported to a local hospital in stable condition. Shortly thereafter, JCPD entered the residence, where the male was found dead on arrival. Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said no criminal charges have been filed at this time.
Craft Cannabis to be Cultivated in Jersey City by Saint Anthony Graduate
The Jersey City Planning Board unanimously voted on August 20th to allow Eli Terry, a 2015 Saint Anthony High School graduate, to move forward with converting the former Vision Tours Corporation charter bus warehouse at 77 Forest Street into the city’s second-ever Class 1 cannabis cultivation site. Per the Jersey City Times, Eli hopes construction on his building will begin this fall and expects his company, Glue Lagoon Farms, to ship out its first batch by the second quarter of next year. Eli expects production to hit at least 500 pounds of cannabis annually and eventually as much as 1200 pounds.
Hudson County Accepting Local Arts Grants Applications
The Hudson County government is accepting applications for their local arts program and history partnership program until September 23rd, officials said. Per the Hudson County View, all Hudson County municipalities and non-profit organizations are eligible and welcome to apply. The programs are funded by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the New Jersey Historical Commission, as well as Hudson County Executive Craig Guy, and the Hudson County Board of Commissioners. Click here for grant guidelines, “How To Apply” webinar sessions and recordings, and grant applications.
Art House Productions Honors Filmmaker Christopher Englese With a Tribute + Memorial
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Christopher Englese made films like time was running out. That was his aesthetic, and it served him well. That sense of mission is present in Strength Through Visibility: 20 Years of Jersey City Pride (2023), a 45-minute documentary made just before the artist’s death at 44. Per the Jersey City Times, on August 29th, Art House Productions — located at 345 Marin Boulevard — closed its Pride Month programming with a screening of two of Christopher’s movies. The tribute and memorial presented Christopher as a true believer in the transformative power of grassroots action.
After Three Generations, Bayonne’s S. Fryczynski + Son Funeral Home is Moving its Location
After nearly 75 years in its location on Bayonne’s East 22nd Street, S. Fryczynski and Son Funeral Home will operate independently out of the Sweeney Funeral Home on Kennedy Boulevard near 33rd Street and sell its property. Per NJ.com, the three-story brick building constructed 32 years into the business’ operation could accommodate multiple funerals on the same day, which, at the business’ current pace, is no longer the right fit, said owner Kerry Fryczynski. The building his business is moving into only accommodates one funeral at a time. September 10th will be S. Fryczynski and Son Funeral Home’s final day on East 22nd Street.
Kool + the Gang’s George ‘Funky’ Brown is Honored With Posthumous Album
When George “Funky” Brown passed away in 2023 from lung cancer, he was commemorated as the drummer for Kool + the Gang whose remarkable 60-year career took the band from the hardscrabble streets of Jersey City to international superstardom with unforgettable hits like Celebration and Ladies Night. Per NJ.com, “Funky” was much more than a drummer, though, and now his talents will be memorialized with the posthumous release of Where I’m Coming From, a collection being released next week including 16 tracks that were written and recorded during the final few decades of his life and showcase his impressive talents as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.
NJCU Provides Update on Hacking As It Takes Action to Contain the Incident
New Jersey City University (NJCU) has provided an update on the hacking by the Rhysida ransomware group in June, stating on its website: “we internally mobilized to contain the incident.” Per the Hudson County View, the statement continued that the Jersey City-based learning institution notified the FBI, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCI) to investigate the crime, where $700,000 in Bitcoin was requested. In a FAQ section on their website, the school indicated that their computer network was hacked between June 4th and June 10th and certain files may have been copied without permission.
New Arcade Open in Downtown Jersey City
Bright, colorful lights and an array of sound effects greet players as they walk into The Pixel Lab in Jersey City. The new arcade opened its doors at 381 1st Street at the end of August and the owners are excited to make it the go-to neighborhood arcade. It has a little bit of everything for all types of gamers with the tagline, “Old Games, New Games, Good Games.” Click here for more.
Namdar Group Secures $152 Million Loan to Build Tower in Jersey City
A developer with a huge stake in the Journal Square neighborhood has just secured financing to complete the buildout of its latest 27-story project. Per Jersey Digs, JLL Capital Markets announced that it has secured $152 million in construction financing for the development of 35 Cottage Street, a 588-unit luxury apartment building in Jersey City. The development, already under construction by Long Island-based Namdar Group, is set to include a Chabad Synagogue, a pre-school, and the first dedicated party hall in Journal Square.
A History of Oreos in Hoboken
We all know that Hoboken brought us famous figures like Maria Pepe, one of the first girls to ever play Little League baseball; Buddy Valastro, the mastermind behind Cake Boss; and of course, Frank Sinatra, who needs no intro. But fun fact, Hoboken also gave us that chocolate deliciousness that is the Oreo cookie. Yes, that classic treat, snack, and dessert has some bona fide Mile Square roots. Let's take a look back at just where the Oreo originated and how it came to be. Chances are, it might just look a little familiar. Read on to learn all about the history of the Oreo in Hoboken, New Jersey.
History of the Oreo
The Oreo — then known as the Oreo Biscuit — was the brainchild of Nabisco, which in 1912 was called the National Biscuit Company. Nabisco developed the Oreo in Chelsea, Manhattan in what is known today as the Chelsea Market. Ninth Avenue between 15th and 16th Streets remains an homage to the Oreo to this day, as it's known as Oreo Way.
The first Oreo design featured a wreath-like look around the edge of the cookie. "OREO" was printed in the center, as it still is today, but the price point was significantly different. In the early days, Oreos were 25 cents a pound, and instead of being sold on shelves in plastic packaging, the chocolate-and-vanilla-frosting cookies came in metal canisters.
Read More: The Matriarch of Iconic Baked Goods Brand Entenmann's is From Hoboken
So, where does Hoboken come in? Well, when it came time to sell the Oreo as a product, the first transaction happened right here in the Mile Square. The very first Oreo Biscuit was sold on March 6th, 1912 in Hoboken, according to TIME. That makes Hoboken home of the first-ever Oreo sale.
That first Oreo went to Hoboken grocer S.C. Theusen. Theusen had a grocery store on 10th and Washington Street and because of his serendipitous cookie purchase, paved the way for the Mile Square to be the very first city to enjoy the now-famous Oreo.
How It Came to Be
The filling of the Oreo was developed in New York by food scientist Sam Porcello. Porcello, who also created a version of the Oreo covered in dark chocolate and white chocolate, started the creme filling recipe with a trans fat called lard. It's since been replaced with hydrogenated vegetable oil, which is why the cookie is a fan favorite among plant-based eaters.
How the Oreo Has Changed
Remember that original name, the Oreo Biscuit? Since 1912, the goodness of the Oreo hasn't changed, but the name certainly has several times. In 1921, it became the "Oreo Sandwich" and then it changed again in 1948 to the "Oreo Crème Sandwich." Then in 1974, it changed for one final time, becoming the Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookie, which remains the official name of the Oreo to this day, over 50 years later.
See More: The Ultimate Guide to Desserts in Montclair
Other Snacks Hoboken Is Famous For
Hoboken has a decorated history of providing the nation with delectable snacks. From Twinkies to Tootsie Rolls, several manufacturing and distributing factories got their start in Hoboken as early as the 1800s — Hostess, the ice cream cone, and more.
But needless to say, we're big fans of the Oreo. So, celebrate National Oreo Day by grabbing a box of these delicious treats and enjoy eating them in and around Hoboken.
