Happy Sunday! School is in session and the summer heat is still here, but that doesn’t mean the local news in Hoboken and Jersey City has slowed down. In fact, a ton went on this past week — from Hoboken appearing in the National Geographic as part of a feature on Mayor Bhalla to new statewide plans to unfurl marijuana deliveries, there’s a lot to catch up on. Keep reading to stay in the know about what happened this week in local Hoboken and Jersey City news:
Wok to Walk Stir-Fry Chain Closes in Hoboken
There’s now a vacant space at 91 Washington Street in Hoboken as Wok to Walk shut down on August 31st. The stir fry-chain, which was similar in concept to Honeygrow, was open for a year and offered mostly Chinese food {lomein, rice, noodles, etc.}. A note left on the door of the location reads, “To our valued guests and fans, have closed our doors effective 8/31. It has been a privilege to serve you over the last year, and we thank you for your patronage.”
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Opening Next Week at Mile Square Theatre
The Mile Square Theatre’s 2018 season continues with the Tony Award-winning comedy ‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.’ Directed by MST Associate Artistic Director Mark Cirnigliaro and starring Barbara Pitts, the play opens on September 14 and runs until October 7.
“We resume our 2018 season with Durang’s hugely entertaining play,” says MST Artistic Director Chris O’Connor. “I’m thrilled with the cast, led by MST Associate Artistic Director Mark Cirnigliaro. We are delighted to have Barbara Pitts join us, who is well-known for her work with Tectonic Theater.
Shows are September 12 through October 7 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays on 3pm. Tickets are available on milesquaretheatre.org or by calling 201-683-7014.
Mayor Bhalla Featured on National Geographic‘s Instagram
The caption reads, “An Indian-American civil rights lawyer and a Sikh who wears a turban to express his faith, Bhalla was elected in November. ‘We are a diverse and welcoming community,’ he says.”
The article — entitled “How South Asian Americans Are Building the New American Dream” — deep dives into America’s fast-growing South Asian population and the increased visibility South Asians have gained. You can read the full article, which was written by an Indian immigrant, edited by a Sri-Lankan-American photography editor, and shot by a Bangladeshi photographer who emigrated to America, here.
Garden State Rollergirls Looking for New Members to Recruit
{Photo Credit: Quick Draw Sports Photography}
The Garden State Rollergirls — New Jersey’s premier roller derby league — is currently recruiting new members. There’s no experience necessary and interested skaters are invited to the First Skate Event on Sept 29 at ISCA in North Arlington.
Jersey City’s Bang Cookies Featured on Kathie Lee and Hoda
Jersey City’s very own Bang Cookies was featured on an early-morning episode of Kathie Lee and Koda this week. The segment, which was called “TryDay Friday: Tasting Cookies With a Little Kick,” introduced Bang’s latest flavors. And just in time for the fall season. Instead of going the traditional fall flavor route (think: pumpkin spice latte EVERYTHING), Bang is introducing bourbon and whiskey-flavored cookies. The liquor-infused treats will be available at 1183 Summit Ave in Jersey City {and for free delivery to Hoboken and JC} soon!
Jersey City Says Gun Violence Has Decreased This Year
Gun violence in Jersey City is on the decline. Jersey City Public Safety took a look at the number of non-fatal and fatal shootings during the time span of January and August as compared to last year during the same time frame. From January 1 to August 25, 43 non-fatal shootings occurred in JC. During the same period in 2017, there were 60, according to city spokesperson Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione. In 2018, six fatal shootings occurred. Comparatively, in 2017, there were 12 non-fatal shootings.
Jersey City Public Safety Director James Shea attributes the declining numbers to the city’s myriad efforts including “the strategic placing of CCTV cameras in hot spot areas to more police presence, increased foot patrols, strategizing investigative techniques, changing the structure of personnel, to other efforts that need to remain confidential to avoid jeopardizing our efforts.”
Visual Performing Arts Center in Jersey City Hosts New Showcase
Art House Productions, a visual performing arts center located in Jersey City, has an ongoing lineup of artist residencies planned for this upcoming season. The first of these residences is artist Raven Taisce White, founder of the BIRDHOUSE Collective. Raven’s immersive performance collection, entitled “HOT WINTER,” follows “five humans as they struggle to understand one another, unifying in difference and falling apart in sameness.” Performances run from September 21 to September 23, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 5pm at Art House Productions at 262 17th Street. Tickets can be purchased online at arthouseproductions.org for $20. You can also buy tickets by calling 201-918-6019.
Man Riding Bike to Work Jumped and Beaten
A man who was riding his bike to work on August 31 was beaten by three people in Jersey City. The incident occurred near West Side and Culver Avenues at 5AM Friday morning.
The victim, a Wonder Bagels employee, called store manager Saleem Salloum for help. “He said three guys jumped him and tried to steal his bike,” Salloum said. “He couldn’t even talk… he was in so much pain.” The victim allegedly suffered from broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder. The victim was treated at Jersey City Medical Center.
Hoboken Files Lawsuit Against SUEZ Water Company
Things are not working out between Hoboken and SUEZ water company. Hoboken has demanded that SUEZ suspend all current water system projects and has filed a lawsuit, a decision that comes almost immediately after the hazardous floods that plagued Hoboken earlier in August. The lawsuit claims SUEZ has been “woefully inadequate” in efforts to repair and prevent main breaks and “unable or unwilling” to determine a definitive cause for the breaks.
The suit specifically calls out a capital improvement project that began on June 23. Since the construction started, the lawsuit claims “no less than 15 breaks” have occurred. It reads, “An impaired or unreliable water supply system presents a danger to the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the city, and immediate action is required… to ensure the water supply system if operating effectively and the residents and property in the city are protected from the dangers presented by near-constant flooding.”
The Margo Market is Open in Hoboken
A boutique called The Margo Market is finally opening its Hoboken doors as of Saturday. The store offers ethically-sourced goods from various artisans around the world. You’ll find tons of cool things there — from home decor to clothing — all carefully curated. Learn more about The Margot Market by checking out our in-depth sneak-peek here.
NJ Plan to Legalize Could Lead to Marijuana Deliveries to Your Door
The New Jersey plan to legalize marijuana delineates that there is no cap on the number of dispensaries that can open and home deliveries of weed. Previously, the bill had capped dispensaries in New Jersey at 120 but the new plan eradicates the limit, making anything and everything fair game. Additionally, both the medical marijuana expansion bill and the recreational marijuana bill include door-to-door service, AKA weed deliveries.
This delineation would mark New Jersey following in the steps of states like California, Nevada, and Oregon — states that also allow dispensaries to deliver.
Hoboken Man Files Lawsuit Against McDonald’s, Claiming Discrimination
A Hudson County man has filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s, claiming an employee discriminated against him for being black. The employee allegedly told the man, Quan Dunlap, 47, that he could not eat his meal in the restaurant. The lawsuit includes three counts — seeking a jury trial, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney fees, and any additional relief. Dunlap, a Hoboken resident, works for the Hudson County Department of Public Works.
NAACP officials attended the press conference last Tuesday, which announced Dunlap’s lawsuit against the fast food chain. Dunlap claims he had just finished his shift at Public Works when he stopped at the Third Street location to purchase his food. Allegedly, Dunlap was told he would only be served if he took his food to go.
Dunlap allegedly asked to speak to a supervisor after receiving his food so he could ask why he was “singled out to eat his food outside of McDonald’s.” He alleges he was told he could eat inside but had to leave after 20 minutes due to McDonald’s “getting complaints from regular customers about people like me.”
McDonald’s has not issued a statement.
New Bar The Pig and Parrot Offers Tropical Vibes
Hoboken has a brand new bar in town — The Pig and Parrot. P&P describes itself on its Instagram account as a “Key West type bar and grill” and offers tropical food and drinks, atmosphere, and music {Bob Marley, Jimmy Buffet, or Kenny Chesney are some of the artists on repeat}. Happy Hour is 4-8pm daily and features bucket, food, sangria, and shot specials. The Pig and Parrot is located at 77 Hudson Street in Hoboken and opened this past week.
Hoboken’s Computer Coding School Aims to Teach Students Coding
Hoboken computer coding school COditum is teaming up with Major League Hacking to bring high school students informative “hackathon” events that strive to teach kids competitive coding skills. Founder Steven Fink says the goal is to get students thinking “out of the box.”
“Our company began in 2002 with SummerTech, our amazing summer camp,” Fink said. “Quickly we were teaching coding at a higher level than anyone including most universities. Our middle and high schoolers were reaching high levels in just a few weeks and parents had nowhere to turn during the school year.”
High school students can join a hackathon team at school and then be coached at Hoboken’s Coditum location. Events are free and teams compete both locally and nationally.
Eyes on Hoboken: Warby Parker Store Is Allegedly Coming Soon
{Photo credit: Instagram}
A brick-and-mortar Warby Parker is in the works for Hoboken. Eagle-eyed Hobokenites — pun intended — noticed that Warby Parker’s career division of their website has posted that they’re hiring. And not just anywhere, WP is specifically hiring for a Hoboken location. According to the site, it looks like the location is still in need of a Keyholder Optician, Optical Supervisor, Optician, Optometrist, and a Store Leader. We’ll share more details as we know them.
Headroom Bar & Social Opens in Downtown Jersey City
Headroom Bar & Social is open! This new neighborhood bar {with an Australian twist} is located at 150 Bay Street in Jersey City at the corner of Provost + Bay. The bar’s owners share that the new spot will be “beautiful but edgy.” Head Room’s owners shared exclusively that they ”want people to come down enjoy themselves, relax, and keep it real.” Among the entertainment will be DJs spinning pop hits from various decades and plenty of sports viewing options. Happy hour will run from 5PM-7PM and then again 11PM – 1AM.
Revival Vintage Boutique Celebrates 10 Years
{Photo credit: Instagram}
Congratulations to Revival Vintage Boutique! The Hoboken staple is celebrating 10 years of offering customers an authentic vintage shopping experience and they’re inviting you to join. This weekend, Revival is offering in-store specials and deals, sparkling drinks, and small bites supplied by Dulce de Leche in Jersey City.
New Dog Grooming Spot ‘Be Happy Dog’ Opens on Hudson
{Photo credit: Instagram}
A new dog grooming salon has opened at 235 Hudson Street. The new venue, Be Happy Dog, took over the space where You Lucky Dog used to be. The official Be Happy Dog Instagram has been posting before-and-after grooming pictures of the pups who come to the spa, as well as a sneak-peek at the business’ interior.
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.
