There are a plethora of ways to celebrate and support the local LGBTQ+ community, including shopping small — which is easy to do in Hudson County. To help with this, we’ve rounded up a list of LGBTQ+-owned businesses to support. Read on to see a list of Hudson County LGBTQ+-owned businesses.
Disclaimer: This is an ever-growing list. We want this list to be as inclusive as possible so if you know of another LGBTQ+-owned business that would like to be included, please email [email protected].
Alexis Rotter Photography | Online
Alexis Rotter’s photography captures great live performances and landscapes in both New Jersey and New York. For more information about Alexis’s photography skills and to view her portfolio, visit her website.
Read More: A List of LGBTQ+ Resources in North Jersey
Allies 4 All | Online
Cindy Rau and Natalia Ocampo are two Jersey City women behind Allies 4 All, a pop-up shop that strives to be eco-friendly. The business has Jersey City roots through and through, as the couple met, married, and now live in Jersey City. They are in love with Hudson County and enjoy participating in local pop-ups throughout the community. Allies 4 All is an apparel, accessories, and crafts company. What’s more, a percentage of every purchase made on the website will be donated to selected charities, community organizations, and non-profits in the area.
Cavany Foods | 235 Grand Street, Jersey City
Located in the Paulus Hook area of Jersey City, Cavany Foods is a go-to spot for all things healthy eating. This eatery creates American-inspired cuisine among other foods. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available as well. Besides its restaurant side, Cavany Foods creates meal plans and has an organic market to shop at.
Emily Monus Events | Jersey City
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Emily Monus has your back. At Emily Monus Events, she helps to create the perfect wedding for LGBTQIA+ couples and also helps plan the perfect day for all. Emily has also planned baby showers and non-profit galas.
Hudson Paperie | Online
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Hudson Paperie is a local business that is obsessed with design: the team helps create your history by making wedding stationery. Knowing that the wedding paper is just as important as everything else on the big day, Chelsey and Carly pay attention to every little detail when making the invitations.
Institute For Personal Growth | 220 9th Street Suite 380, Jersey City
The Institute for Personal Growth helps assist those with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and more. The team is adamant about helping the LGBTQ+ community. IPG provides services for the LGBTQ+ community and potential clients can learn more by watching this video. Institute For Personal Growth also has locations in Highland Park and Freehold.
Ken Pilates | 702 Grand Street, Hoboken
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Ken Pilates, owned + operated by Hoboken’s own Kennyth Montes de Oca, provides clients with an opportunity to take small group classes or private sessions. The studio has both mat and reformer classes with no more than six students per class. Duet and single sessions are also available for a more hands-on experience directly with Ken. You can read all about Ken Pilates + how Ken is revolutionizing the Pilates space here.
Little Batch Candle Co. | Hoboken + Jersey City
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Little Batch Candle Co. is a candle company that creates candles from soybeans, converting them into soy wax. The candle company also has a recycling program: shoppers who recycle 12 jars will receive a candle for free. Learn more about the recycling program and the drop-off locations here.
Nute Juice | 457 Baldwin Avenue, Jersey City
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This Jersey City-based business delivers nutrient-rich, organic, and unpasteurized cold-pressed juices throughout the Hudson County area. These juices are made-to-order and feature a category of flavors listed on their site. This business also makes frequent appearances throughout Jersey City — found at the Riverview Farmers Market, Grove Street, Paulus Hook, and Van Vorst Park on different days.
Pint | 34 Wayne Street, Jersey City
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Pint is an LGBTQ+-owned and operated neighborhood bar that has a craft beer menu, cocktails, friendly staff, and a fun atmosphere. It is located near the Grove Street PATH station in downtown Jersey City, making it easily accessible from public transit.
PlusThriftJC | Online
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Unlike any other boutique, PlusThriftJC is a safe space for ladies who don’t fit into the small, skinny sizes that stores sell. PlusThriftJC is all about positivity and inclusivity — they provide a space and solution for plus-size women.
Root + Rise Fitness | Union City
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Victoria Sneden, a NASM-Certified Personal Trainer, provides a variety of different training programs for those in the Northern New Jersey area. Training programs include personal training, small group training, and virtual training.
Tipsy Tye Dye | 155 1st Street, Hoboken
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Tipsy Tye Dye took over the old Sushi House restaurant in Hoboken. At Tipsy Tye Dye, customers can purchase different clothing items to tie dye or bring their own items. The business is available for private events and happy hours.
See More: LGBTQ+-Owned Businesses to Support in Essex County
UNJUMBOLD | 257 1st Street, Hoboken
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John Forslund and Michael Knight live in Jersey City, but work all over the Hoboken + Jersey City area. Their brainchild, Unjumbold, is a full-service renovation design firm specializing in kitchens, bathrooms, and whole-home renovations. You can read all about Unjumbold + its owners here.
Jersey City Pizza Fest, Hoboken Mac + Cheese Fest Happening This Spring
Hudson County foodies are in for a treat this spring with an annual event returning to the Mile Square and a brand-new festival coming to Chilltown. On Saturday, March 29th, the first-ever Jersey City Pizza Fest will take place and feature 12+ local restaurant serving up their best pizza. Over in Hoboken, the annual Mac + Cheese Festival will return this year on Saturday, April 5th. Read on for more about these two food festivals happening in Hudson County, New Jersey this spring.
Jersey City Pizza Fest
The first-ever Jersey City Pizza Fest will take place on Saturday, March 29th from 1PM-5PM to kick off the start of the spring season. The event is presented by Jersey City Happy Hours, and tickets are already on sale.
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Read More: Hoboken’s 2025 Spring Arts + Music Festival Happening on 5/18
Similar to a bar crawl — but for pizza — event-goers will be able to sample a variety of pizza from different Jersey City restaurants, including:
- &pizza
- Carmine's Pizza Factory
- Helen's Pizza
- Luna Restaurant
- Pizzeria Las Americas
- Porta
- Prato Bakery
- Roman Nose
- Rustique
- Tino's Artisan Pizza Co.
- Tony Boloney's
- Two Boots
- + more to come
Locals will receive a half slice of pizza from every participating location at this event. Check-in locations will be at Carmine's Pizza Factory (366 8th Street) and Tino's Artisan Pizza Co. (199 Warren Street). Participants will receive their check-in location after purchasing tickets.
More information about each pizza offering as well as ticket information can be found on the Jersey City Pizza Fest website.
Hoboken Mac + Cheese Festival
The 6th annual Hoboken Mac + Cheese Festival will take place on Saturday, April 5th, 2025. The event is presented by Hoboken Happy Hours, and is being held as a food crawl this year.
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Hudson County locals can expect a day full of cheesy fun, with a elite lineup of Hoboken restaurants showing off their best mac + cheese dishes. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, February 5th at 12PM, and the Mile Square restaurants participating include:
- Antique at 112
- Byrd
- Empanadas Cafe
- GTK
- The Hoboken Biergarten
- The Lola
- Madd Hatter
- The Madison Bar + Grill
- Mighty Quinn's Barbecue
- Napoli's
- Pizza Republic
- Tony Boloney's
- UH Hoboken
- Wicked Wolf
- + more to come
This year, check-in locations will be at UH Hoboken (306 Sinatra Drive) and The Hoboken Biergarten (1422 Grand Street). Participants will receive their check-in location after purchasing tickets, and must check in before 3PM. Tickets include a sample of mac + cheese from every participating location.
More information about each mac + cheese dish as well as ticket information can be found on the Hoboken Mac + Cheese Fest website.
See More: Valentine’s Day 2025: Events + Dinners in the Montclair Area
Of course, we'd be remiss to not mention one of Hoboken's most beloved annual events — the St. Ann's Festival — which happens each summer on Jefferson Street. Keep an eye out in the coming months for details about this year's event. The date for Hoboken's annual Spring Arts + Music Festival was also recently announced, and you can read all about that here.
If you're looking for some other local events while we await these two festivals, we've got a whole list of winter festivals happening in New Jersey here. Or, you can always head to our events calendar for the latest local happenings each week.
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