Top News Stories in Hoboken + Jersey City This Week {July 8, 2018}

Hope you had a great Fourth of July and procured an awesome spot from which to watch the fireworks {+ see Snoop Dogg pull Akon onto the stage for a surprise guest appearance during the Jersey City Fourth of July celebration.) If you’re still recovering from this week’s festivities, then sit back, relax, and keep reading as we bring you everything that happened this week around Hudson County. From new coffee options {in both Hoboken and Jersey City} to a dramatic protest that took place on the base of the Statue of Liberty, here are the top news stories of the week:

Hidden Grounds Coffee to Celebrate Grand Opening

Hidden Grounds Coffee is opening July 27th, ready to serve you java right here in Hoboken. Located at 700 Garden Street, their bakery menu includes red velvet cookies and vegan chai spiced cookies — not to mention rose chai, mango lassis, and nearly every kind of latte imaginable. See more about it here.

New Novel ‘Before We Died’ Takes Place in Mile Square City

Hoboken is the setting of a new novel by author Joan Schweighardt. “Before We Died,” which is set for release this upcoming September, is a turn-of-the-20th-century tale of an Irish-American dockworker who leaves his job in Hoboken with his brother in order to make their fortune tapping rubber trees in a South American rainforest.

Joan Schweighardt is an IPPY and Forward Magazine award recipient and is the author of five other novels.

Call for Art: Central Avenue in Jersey City Needs Artists

The Central Avenue SID Management Corporation is putting out a call for art. The Central Avenue shopping district is currently in need of public art installations and the SID Management Corp. is currently seeking creative proposals. The submission deadline is Friday, August 3, 2018 and any selected artwork will be commissioned for installation around late summer early fall. Artists will be paid upon completion of the installation. Check the Request for Proposal for all necessary guidelines.

Fran’s Deli Suddenly Closes Its Doors

On June 30th, Fran’s Deli abruptly announced its closure by hanging a sign in the door.  “To our loyal customers,” the sign read. “Thank you for your patronage over the years. Stay tuned for something new and exciting. All the best… Love, Fran’s Deli & Staff.”

The Italian deli was known for its mutz, paninis, and sandwiches — perfect for most any meal. Fran’s will reopen as Jersey Mike’s, an American sandwich chain that hails from Manasquan, NJ. No word yet on when the new Jersey Mike’s will open.

Off-Broadway Play Written by Woman from Jersey City

A new screwball musical called “God Save Queen Pam” is playing off-Broadway and most of the female-driven cast is from Hoboken or Jersey City. Not to mention, “God Save Queen Pam” is the brain-child of a female writer, Erin Murray Quinlan, who hails from JC.

In “God Save Queen Pam,” the entire royal house of Edevane has died out, leaving the lone heir, an American bartender from New Jersey named Pam Duffy. With the help of her staff, Pam journeys to figure out her new God-ordained career before the court unseats her. “God Save Queen Pam” promises nothing but hilarity — “no moments of sad reflection, no ironic nods to the woes of the day.”

“God Save Queen Pam” is playing at the Players Theater from June 21st to July 29th. Performances are at 7pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and at 3pm on Sundays. You can purchase tickets at godsavequeenpam.com.

Hoboken Fire Department Looking for New Recruits

If you’re interested in becoming a Hoboken firefighter, here is your chance. The Hoboken Fire Department is currently looking for new recruits of all diverse backgrounds and welcomes all to apply by taking the New Jersey Civil Service Commission Entry Level Firefighter Examination.

“I hope to have a diverse group of applicants, including military veterans, women, minorities, and members of the LGTBQ community,” Provisional Fire Chief Brian Crimmins said in a statement. “A fire department that best represents the community can best serve the community.”

Applications are open now through August 31, 2018 and anyone interested can apply here.

ICE Protester Climbs the Statue of Liberty on July 4

Therese Okoumou, a 44-year-old immigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo, climbed the Statue of Liberty on July 4. Ms. Okoumou was publicly protesting against President Trump’s immigration policies. The climb culminated in a three-hour standoff with police before Therese was brought down from the base of Lady Liberty. Ms. Okoumou has an upcoming court appearance where she faces charges of trespassing, disorderly conduct, and violating national park regulations.

Earlier the same day, several people were arrested during a protest held at the statue. All tourists were evacuated from Liberty Park during the time of the climb.

Pici Pasta Bar Celebrates Its Soft Opening

New Italian cuisine Pici Pasta Bar is hosting its soft opening from Monday to Sunday, 11:00AM – 11:00PM this week {but they’re open for good, according to their staff}. Pici is located at 70 Hudson Street and offers freshly-made pasta on site, shareable portions, and of course, homemade sauces. Read more about it here.

 

Thieves Reportedly Following Delivery Trucks and Stealing

One Hoboken local took to reddit to lament a thievery issue. Have you experienced something similar? According to the reddit users, there is a new trend throughout town where thieves reportedly follow Amazon and other delivery trucks, watch packages be delivered, then go in the entrance ways to steal said packages.

“I received photo confirmation of my package delivery and it was gone by the time I got home,” the user wrote. “Apparently there is a trend in the area of thieves following delivery trucks and going in afterward to steal packages… Using Amazon lockers from now on,” the user added.

Be wary, Hoboken + Jersey City.

Cafe Madelaine Now Open on Coles Street

Macaroons and croissants = making most things better. Cafe Madelaine, the latest cafe to crop up in Jersey City, is now open on the corner of Coles Street and Second. The cafe replaced a store-front bodega and joined the wave of three other French-style shops that opened in JC this year.

Chipotle Is Headed to Journal Square

A new Chipotle Mexican Grill will make its way to Journal Square in 2019. The Mexican fast food chain inked a lease at 26 Journal Square, just feet away from the Journal Square PATH Station that so many commuters frequent on the daily.

“There is a gap in the market for high-quality, fast-casual food in Journal Square, a neighborhood with growing daytime and residential populations that is near both the county courthouse and two college campuses,” RKF, the brokerage firm handling the deal, said in a press release.

Jersey City Flower Thief Caught on Security Camera

In video footage both unbelievable and alarming, a thief in Jersey City was caught stealing flowers from the porch of a resident’s home. The unnamed suspect can be seen wandering up the steps to the home’s front porch. Then one by one, the thief removes two hanging floral arrangements from their hooks and makes off with them.

Pulaski Skyway Opens Two Days Ahead of Schedule

{Photo credit: Twitter}

Two days earlier than expected, Pulaski Skyway is finally open. Previously, the New Jersey Department of Transportation had announced Pulaski Skyway would reopen its lanes on Monday, but the northbound lanes were open two days early, allowing traffic to flow in both directions.

Pulaski Skyway temporarily closed down back in 2014 as part of a $1 billion rehabilitation project. After four years of renovations, local drivers are ecstatic to finally have their bridge back!

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