Happy Sunday, Hudson County! Hopefully you’ve had a great holiday weekend so far {still one more day left, woo}, and are ready to catch-up on some popular news stories you missed amidst all the fun. From Golden Carrot’s sudden closing of their Hoboken location to Sweetberry Bowls Jersey City opening, a prom-night boat crash, Corto Jersey City soft opening, and more, read on for your top news stories of the week in Hoboken + Jersey City {May 27th, 2018}:
Jersey City “Obscenity Law” Expected to Undergo Reform
Jersey City may be abolishing — or at least reforming — a 36-year-old law that says women must refrain from showing their breasts in public. The obscenity law was put in place in the 1980s in order to shut down a burlesque performer but now, the topless ban is undergoing an expected revision more in-tune to today’s current day and age. The new version is expected to remove female breasts from its definition of “the state of nudity.” The revision will only include genitalia below the waist. However, public nudity is still not to be tolerated, as “any street, avenue, highway, road, or waterway” is still considered a Jersey City public space and therefore will not tolerate obscene exposure below the waist.
Sweetberry Bowls Is Coming to Newark Avenue in Jersey City
Hoboken Bids Farewell to the Golden Carrot
The Golden Carrot is leaving Hoboken. The jewelry company’s final day, before it relocates to Charlotte, North Carolina, will be June 24th. No word yet on what will move into the vacant building. “The Hoboken location will always be the OG,” a representative for Golden Carrot wrote in a statement on Instagram. “While I’m sad to say goodbye to the city The Golden Carrot has called home for three years, I’m extraordinarily excited to bring the brand to a new location. Thank you for the tremendous love and support for all you have shown us!”
Two Men Charged in Connection With Shooting at Ninth Street Light Rail Station
Police have made two arrests in connection with a shooting that took place at the Ninth Street Light Rail Station in Hoboken last week. Anthony Aguilar, 19, and Zaire Batista, 18, were arrested each in their own homes. Batista was charged with criminal attempted murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and additionally, several drug-related crimes. Authorities charged Aguilar with criminal attempted murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. No one was shot during the dispute, which took place on May 11th around 8:30PM, though several shots were fired. Aguilar and Batista were brought to the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending a hearing in Hudson County.
Hudson Table Hosting Another Pop-Up Cafe in Hoboken
Hudson Table, the interactive culinary studio that offers home-cooked biscuits, a delicious quinoa grain bowl, and a decadent raclette sandwich {+ SO much more}, is back with its second-installation of the summer pop-up shop in partnership with bwè kafe. This time, the pop-up shop will run for seven full weeks, on Tuesdays-Fridays from 7:00AM-2:00PM. The pop-up, located at 1403 Clinton Street, Hoboken, features outdoor seating and closes June 15th.
Corto Soft Opened This Weekend in Jersey City Heights
If you haven’t heard, Corto, brought to The Heights by one of the owners of Dozzino’s in Hoboken, is soft opening this weekend. The new Italian kitchen restaurant is located at 507 Palisade Avenue in Jersey City Heights. The new spot is currently taking reservations on Instagram here {so 2018!}. It’s unclear if they’ll be open following this weekend, but either way, welcome to the neighborhood, guys! Read more about the space here.
New Vegan Restaurant Opening in Jersey City
New Brunch Spot Tosti is Open on Washington Street
If you’re searching for a new breakfast spot, Hoboken’s got one. Tosti is officially open for business at 1024 Washington Street, the former uptown location of Charrito’s. It’s currently unclear as to whether or not Tosti has its liquor license but as the previous Charrito’s was BYOB, it’s likely that liquor will not be served at Tosti for brunch. Regardless, they do have a ton of breakfast favorites, including Belgian waffles, pancakes, avocado toast, and more. Make sure to stop by and check it out!
Hoboken Wine House Is Allegedly Returning
Hoboken Wine House has been gone but not for long. Nearly three months after closing its doors on 1100 Washington Street, Hoboken Wine House now has signs in the window, letting customers know that it’s coming back as of summer 2018. On February 27, HWH announced on Twitter, “After 5 years in #Hoboken, it’s with great sadness that we will be closing our doors. Thank you to ALL our great customers! We would have loved to keep serving you for years to come.” It’s unclear if HBH is now under new ownership, however, most of the stock is still on the shelves from its previous closing months ago.
What’s Coming to 401 Jackson Street?
Seven lots between 401 and 411 Jackson Street in Hoboken might be up for revitalization. Plans for the rather large property between Jackson Street and Fourth are expected to be heard by the zoning board this week. The proposal includes a 44-unit development, restaurant, 21 parking spaces, and a 1,900 square-foot lobby that features elevator access and bicycle storage. Stay tuned as we find out more details!
Wine Dads Hoboken is Officially Open
The new Hoboken wine-shop announced on their Instagram this week that they are officially open. The store has a large selection of wine, beer, and spirits. Wine Dads is located at 1330 Willow Avenue {right next to Trader Joes}, so for those who were disappointed that Hoboken’s TJs doesn’t carry wine, now you can pick some up next door.
Two Boats Collide in Hoboken and Interrupt NJ Prom
Prom night was interrupted for Weehawken high schoolers when two boats collided at the 14th Street Pier in Hoboken on Thursday. The prom was hosted on a nearby yacht when a 29-meter boat collided with a 34-meter boat. The Hoboken Fire Department arrived on the scene and Weehawken superintendent Robert R. Zywicki announced on Twitter that students were “safe and unharmed.” Hoboken EMS, Hoboken police, and the NJ State Police all arrived on the scene. No injuries were reported following the crash. More info here.
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What’s Going on With the NYC Congestion Pricing Plan?
The New York City congestion pricing plan has been an ongoing saga for New Jersey and New York drivers. The plan was first announced in 2021, halted weeks before it was set to take effect in June 2024, and a revised plan was officially implemented in January 2025. The plan has been met with much criticism from drivers and State officials alike. In most recent news, President Donald Trump announced plans to end congestion pricing in February 2025. The Hoboken Girl is sharing the most recent information on congestion pricing and what the next steps are after President Trump’s announcement. Read on for the latest updates on the New York City congestion pricing plan.
Status Quo
January 5th, 2025 was the first day of the new congestion pricing plan. Before its implementation, the plan was the subject of extensive debate between supporters and detractors, public transit advocates, taxpayer groups, and even the states of New York and New Jersey.
The plan created a toll structure that mandated a $9 congestion pricing fee for all non-commercial vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street. Despite the controversial nature of the plan, the goal is to raise $15 billion for MTA system improvements and to reduce gridlock in midtown and lower Manhattan.
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Per the New York Times, observers noted reduced vehicular traffic in the zone and anecdotally faster bus trips since the congestion pricing plan began.
What's Next
On Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 President Donald J. Trump announced that he would end the congestion pricing plan. In a letter sent to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed the agency’s rescission of its approval of the toll program.
The Value Pricing Pilot Program (VPPP) is a program managed by the Federal Highway Administration that is designed to help state and local governments underwrite changes to highway tolling programs. The VPPP is an essential element of the NYC Congestion pricing plan. By rescinding the approval for the VPPP, the congestion pricing program is essentially rendered null.
A statement issued by the Department of Transportation included the following information about Secretary Duffy’s rationale:
“As detailed in the letter, the Secretary is terminating the pilot for two reasons. First, the scope of the CBDTP is unprecedented and provides no toll-free option for many drivers who want or need to travel by vehicle in this major urbanized area. Second, the toll rate was set primarily to raise revenue for transit, rather than at an amount needed to reduce congestion. By doing so, the pilot runs contrary to the purpose of the VPPP, which is to impose tolls for congestion reduction – not transit revenue generation.”
The MTA has filed a lawsuit to preserve the congestion pricing plan, per a press release. Governor Hochul has also expressed her dedication to keeping the plan in place, as evidenced by her comments during a joint appearance with the chair of the MTA. “We're in fight mode within seconds of us getting this notification. Our MTA was prepared. We knew this could come and filed a lawsuit within minutes. I'm very confident we will be successful. And I also want to say, the cameras are staying on. We are keeping the cameras on. Lights, cameras, action. They're staying on,” she said.
NJ Governor Phil Murphy has long been a critic of the pricing plan, and issued the following statement following President Trump’s announcement:
“I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Duffy for their efforts to halt the current congestion pricing program in Manhattan’s Central Business District.
While I have consistently expressed openness to a form of congestion pricing that meaningfully protects the environment and does not unfairly burden hardworking New Jersey commuters, the current program lines the MTA’s pockets at the expense of New Jerseyans.
Although we have had a difference of opinion with our colleagues in New York on congestion pricing, we have always had a productive relationship with our neighbors across the Hudson. I look forward to continuing that spirit of partnership for the benefit of the entire Tri-State Area.”
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In the meantime, the tolling will remain in effect for drivers. Observers say that the situation presents a unique legal question about the role of the federal government. In a Gothamist article, a lawyer for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) expressed skepticism about whether the administration’s decision would hold. Attorney Eric Goldstein told Gothamist, “ The courts impose a very high burden when the federal government seeks to reverse course and completely do a 180 turnaround simply because administrations have changed. They've got to prove that their rationale is legally justified, and it's hard to see how they can make that case.”
This post will be updated with any further information.
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