33 Hoboken + Jersey City News Stories You Missed This Week

It’s been a hot week, but the weather doesn’t stop Hudson County. Every week, we gather what you missed in the news in Hoboken + Jersey City. Catch up on all the week’s news here, including where to find Hudson County cooling centers; a trampoline park coming to Jersey City; a public safety community forum in Hoboken; and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Hoboken, Jersey City, + beyond.

Fire on Washington Street in Hoboken

100 degree temperatures. The @JerseyCity FD has arrived to assist in ventilating the bldg and relieving some of our fire fighters. @HobokenPD has Washington St closed from 2nd to 4th Sts @HobokenOEM has buses rerouted to Bloomfield and Hudson. Thank you to our Bravest today! pic.twitter.com/H333dc4MId

— Chief Ken Ferrante, Ret. (@KenFerrante) July 23, 2022

On July 23rd, residents were asked to avoid Washington Street between 2nd and 4th due to an active fire. The Hoboken Fire Department as well as the Jersey City Fire Department arrived on scene to help put out the fire. According to Chief Ken Ferrante, the call came in at 3:15PM on Saturday and the team worked quickly to put out the fire at 219 Washington Street. Chief Ferrante also tweeted that one person needed to be treated by the EMS.

New BBQ Spot Mighty Quinn’s Now Open in Hoboken

(Photo credit: @mightyquinnsbbq)

A new BBQ joint has come to Hoboken at 322 Washington Street. Mighty Quinn’s — a New York-born eatery — is now open at the former Total Nutrition Kitchen spot. Mighty Quinn’s has made a name for itself in the big city and hopes to do the same in the Mile Square. Click here for what we know about this new BBQ spot.

Monkeypox Cases on the Rise

According to NJ.com, monkeypox cases are on the rise in New Jersey, with over 40 total cases in the state. The first case was detected on June 18th in Hudson County. With the increase of cases, the state plans to expand vaccine eligibility — right now, as of July 19th, it encompasses high-risk New Jerseyans and anyone who thinks they might have been exposed, according to Governor Murphy’s tweet.

Hoboken Community and Public Safety (CAPS) Forum

Per a city Nixle alert, The City of Hoboken’s Public Safety Department will host its second CAPS (Community and Public Safety) forum on Wednesday, July 27th, from 5:30PM to 7PM at Black Rail Coffee, located at 800 Jackson Street. The forum’s agenda includes topics such as e-bike use and enforcement; emergency preparedness; and enhanced patrols at Mama Johnson Field. The forum will consist of short presentations followed by a question-and-answer session.

Cavany Foods Opens in Jersey City

Cavany Foods, a gourmet meals food supplier, has opened its first brick and mortar at 235 Grand Street, Jersey City. Serving downtown locals and residents at 235 Grand apartments, Cavany may look like a quick pick-me-up marketplace and coffee shop, but there’s a whole lot more — plenty of seating, delivered meal plan options, early and later hours, room service — the list goes on. Click here to read more about Cavany Foods.

American Dream Food Hall Opens

The Food Hall at the American Dream Mall opened last week, with a variety of choices from gourmet to fast-casual. According to the Specialty Food Association, some of the vendors include Vinoteca, a self-serve wine- and -beer-tasting concept. The food hall totals 10,000 square feet and will have live music and games in the space. Two NYC-based restaurants will have their first New Jersey locations at the Food Hall: Lady M Crepes and Vanessa’s Dumplings.

Plans Submitted for Heights Cannabis Lounge

A company called The Other Side has submitted plans for a cannabis retail space and lounge in The Heights, per Jersey Digs. The property is located at 36 Congress Street and the plans include updates and renovations to the 3,000-square-foot space. The application must pass city and state approvals before work can begin.

‘Sustain and Serve NJ’ to Receive $17.5 Million in Grants

Sustain & Serve NJ, a state-funded program to support restaurants and connect needy residents to meals, enters Phase 3 with $17.5 million assigned to non-profit organizations statewide. Per a press release from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Sustain & Serve NJ launched during the pandemic as a $2 million pilot program to boost restaurants impacted by COVID and has grown into an over $50 million program that continues to bring much-needed food to people across New Jersey. Three of the programs receiving funding serve Hudson County residents: Soup Kitchen 411; Power Changes Lives; and the Coalition for Food and Health Equity.

Movies Under the Stars Now Serving Free Pizza

August is quickly approaching, which means Hoboken’s Movies Under the Stars is nearing its final weeks. Luckily, we just got word that there’s a special new twist coming to the final showings at Pier A Park, located at 100 Sinatra Drive in Hoboken: this free movie program will now also be serving free dinner. Colavita, one of the sponsors of Movies Under the Stars, will be bringing its pizza truck and serving free pizza at the final 3 showings of Movies Under the Stars on July 27th, August 10th, and August 17th. Click here to learn more about this free pizza opportunity.

Free Pizza to Celebrate Basile’s Jersey City Opening

There’s definitely no shortage of pizza options throughout Hoboken and Jersey City — and yet another spot is coming to JC. Basile’s Pizza, a local Hoboken pizza restaurant currently located at 89 Washington Street, will be expanding to Jersey City. In an Instagram post, Historic Downtown Jersey City revealed that Basile’s will be moving to Grove Street Path Plaza at 116 Newark Avenue. Basile’s is aiming to open up in early August, and there’s more good news — on the heels of the free pizza announcement at Movies Under the Stars, Basile’s will also be serving free pizza to celebrate its opening day. Click here to learn more about Basile’s opening in JC.

Grocery Delivery Company to Open Jersey City Location

Gorillas, a grocery delivery company based in Berlin, will soon add Jersey City to its roster of locations. The chain arrived in NYC in early 2020, and the storefront at 338 Newark Avenue marks the company’s first step into both New Jersey and Hudson County. Per Jersey Digs, the company is known for its speedy, app-based grocery delivery services.

Indoor Trampoline Park Coming to Jersey City

An indoor trampoline park is making plans to open in Jersey City. Catch Air, a nationwide children’s play center, recently signed a lease on a space in the Twin City Shopping Center, located at the edge of Jersey City and Bayonne at 2-36 Garfield Avenue, per ROI New Jersey. According to Catch Air’s website, the facility offers dynamic and interactive activities, laser shows, dance parties, giant three story soft play castle, and interactive toys in addition to the trampolines. The Jersey City location joins the franchise’s two other North Jersey locations in Paramus and Hasbrouck Heights.

Hudson County Organizations and Municipalities Among Recipients of $9.4 Million for Water Quality Improvements

The City of Jersey City, the City of Hoboken, the Town of Secaucus and the Hackensack River Keeper are some of the awardees of a $9.4 million grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to make water quality-related improvements. According to a press release from the NJDEP, many of the projects will help mitigate local flooding problems that are increasing due to more severe storms resulting from climate change. Of the four Hudson County projects, Jersey City received the most money. The City of Jersey City received $770,724, to expand the city’s green infrastructure initiative by partnering with Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program to implement two shovel-ready green infrastructure projects including tree trenches and curb extensions along MLK Drive and Bramhall Street. Jersey City is considered an overburdened community under the New Jersey Environmental Justice Law.

Historic Firehouse in Jersey City Considered for Sale

The City of Jersey City has taken the first steps to explore the sale of a historic firehouse in Downtown Jersey City. The firehose is located just off the Newark Avenue pedestrian plaza, at 244 Bay Street and was built in the 1840s. According to NJ.com, the City made the first administrative move to prepare the building for sale: the Historical Preservation Commission approved a report from the Division of City Planning Director Tanya Marione that recommends declaring the building “in need of rehabilitation,” which can eventually allow the property to be transferred to the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency and then sold directly to a developer via a request-for-proposal (RFP).

Update on Jersey City’s Reservoir 3 Project

City officials say that the opening of Jersey City’s Reservoir 3 will not be delayed after reports of contamination in the soil, according to TapInto. The Reservoir 3 Project is a long-running effort to clean up the reservoir and surrounding park to make it available for recreational activities. The reservoir is located in The Heights, near Pershing Park. A study of the soil at the bottom of the reservoir revealed contamination, which the City is now treating in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Bruce Springsteen’s Son, a JC Firefighter, Welcomes Daughter

Jersey City firefighter Sam Springsteen and his partner welcomed a baby girl earlier this week. Lucky little Lily Harper Springsteen will have the best lullaby performances of any baby in New Jersey: her grandfather is The Boss, Bruce Springsteen. Patti Scialfa Springsteen shared the happy news in an Instagram post. Congratulations to the entire family!

Hoboken Middle School Students Recognized

Per a press release from the Hoboken Public School District, several Hoboken Middle School students won awards in a variety of settings. Some of the awards included the 2022 STEAM Tank Challenge – Middle School Division; the Annual Physics Olympiad Competition; the National Social Studies League & National Geography Challenge; and the Hudson County Law Day contest. Congratulations, students!

JC Spots Make Yelp’s ‘Most Photographed’

Eleven of the top 50 Most Photographed Spots in North Jersey are right here in Jersey City. The list was released by Yelp, and per TapInto, JC’s restaurants and bars were popular selections, as well as Liberty State Park. Other Hudson County spots on the list include Molo’s in Weehawken and The Cuban in Hoboken.

Hoboken’s Cannabis Review Board Approves Dispensary

At the July 18th meeting of the Hoboken Cannabis Review Board, applicant Terrapin Care Station’s plans were approved for selling retail cannabis. Terrapin Care Station will be located at 86 River Street. Terrapin has been selling medical marijuana in New Jersey for over a year, per Hudson County View. The shop still has to go through other city and state approvals before opening, which the Terrapin team estimates to be December 2023.

NAMI Hudson County Offers Community Support Groups

The Hudson County chapter of the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) invites neighbors to participate in the organization’s community support groups. A variety of groups are available, including NAMI Connection and NAMI Family Support. NAMI Connection is for adults living with mental illness, while the Family Support Group is for loved ones and caregivers of individuals living with mental illness. Attendees can discuss challenges and successes, learn coping strategies, and share tried and true resources in a safe space of encouragement and understanding. Community members must RSVP to attend here.

Bomb Scare at Hoboken Shoprite Deemed a Non-Threat

On July 18th, Hoboken Police investigated a bomb threat at the Shoprite in Hoboken, located at 900 Monroe Street. Per Hudson County View, the all-clear was issued about 45 minutes after the threat was reported. The threat was phoned into the store, according to Patch. Another bomb threat in the same area took place about a month ago at a nearby Amazon warehouse.

Hudson County Announces Communal Cooling Centers for Heat Wave

New Jersey is currently undergoing a dangerous heat wave with temperatures expected to hit 90 – 100 degrees over the next few days, triggering heat advisories in much of the state. Beyond discomfort, the skyrocketing temperatures can pose a serious health hazard. To help keep the community safe, local counties have established designated communal cooling centers in Hudson County and beyond. If your air conditioning is broken, doesn’t work well enough, or you don’t have access to AC, we’ve covered where to find cooling centers in Hudson County to help keep cool during the heat wave. Click here to see where to find cooling centers in Hudson County.

Il Laboratorio del Gelato Opens in Hoboken

Just in time for the hot weather, Hoboken has another gelato shop. Il Laboratorio del Gelato, located at 500 Washington Street, opened on July 15th. This gelato shop is known for its incredible variety of inventive flavors: over 300 flavors rotate through the menu.

Bayfront Building Approved in Jersey City

The first building in the Bayfront Redevelopment project was approved earlier this week by the JCRA Board of Commissioners. The project is a multi-year effort to redevelop 100 acres of land on the Hackensack River and increase affordable housing. According to a press release from Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s office, the first building, Bayfront Promenade, will include six stories with 209 units with 35% designated for households at 60% AMI and below.

Babka Bailout and Boomerang Bites Treat Shop Hosts Soft Opening

The owners of local favorites Babka Bailout and Boomerang Bites teamed up late last year to open a storefront. Now, the shop, located at 475 Central Avenue in Jersey City, hosted a soft opening this weekend. The store’s official opening will take place on September 14th, and the team is finalizing the shop’s hours.

More EV Charging Stations Coming to Hoboken

At its July 20th meeting, The Hoboken City Council approved a partnership with an electric vehicle charging station company, Volta, to increase the number of EV charging stations in the city. There will be 25 more EV charging stations in Hoboken, and eight of them will be fast-charging locations. According to the Hudson County View, once the installations of these new stations is complete, nearly all residents will be within a 5-minute walk of a public EV charger.

Beloved Polish Deli to Close

Jola Polish Deli, located at 110 Hutton Street in Jersey City, announced its closure later this summer. In a Facebook post, the team behind the deli said its last day would be August 31st. The team is moving to a new location, still to be determined, but will take orders through the holidays. Click here to learn about the closing of Jola Polish Deli.

JC Public Safety Building Nearly Ready

A new building dedicated to creating a central public safety headquarters for Jersey City is nearing completion. It was recently topped off. Per TapInto, the building is part of a larger effort to revitalize the Jackson Hill area of Jersey City. The 11-story building cost $120 million to build.

Jersey City Parcel Sells for $5.7 Million

A parcel of land located at 106-126 Halladay Street in Jersey City sold for $5.7 million, according to Jersey Digs. The property is 0.63 acres in size and located in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood. The buyer of the property was not disclosed, but the parcel is part of the Canal Crossing Redevelopment Zone and is zoned for a variety of uses, including residential units, hospitality, office, commercial, and assisted living facilities.

Hoboken’s St. Ann’s Italian Festival 2022 Kicked Off July 22nd

Hoboken’s St. Ann’s Italian Festival is back for its 112th year. This year, the feast will take place from Friday, July 22nd through Tuesday, July 26th at 704 Jefferson Street in Hoboken. There were will once again be the Grand 50/50 raffle as well as the Nightly 50/50 available, and last year, the grand winner took home $41,000. The nine-day novena, nine days of prayer, runs through Monday, July 25th at 7PM. Festival day mass will be on Tuesday, July 26th at 11AM followed by the Procession. Click here for what we know.

Mark Wahlberg Took a Break From Filming NJ Movie to Hang in Jersey City

(Photo credits: @markwahlberg)

The list of movies shot in the Hudson County area is growing. Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry are currently starring in a movie called Our Man From Jersey and, fittingly, they are filming in NJ. Among the filming locations are Jersey City, Bayonne, Kearny, and Paterson — and it seems filming has already begun in JC. Just recently, JC Councilman Yousef Saleh posted on Instagram that Mark Wahlberg took time out of his busy scheduled to hang out with some neighbors and members of the Ward D Community while filming in Jersey City. Click here for what we know.

KikiLu Gelato Opens in Hoboken

(Photo credit: @kikilugelato)

An artisanal gelato and espresso bar called KikiLu Gelato has officially opened in Hoboken. Hoboken Girl first reported that a Hoboken KikiLu could be coming to fruition back in November 2020. At the time, the owners of Italian spot Otto Strada said they were trying to take over the former Gold Cleaners location at 900 Garden Street. After it was confirmed that KikiLu would be the new home at 900 Garden, locals eagerly awaited its arrival — and now it’s finally here. Stories began popping up on Instagram on July 21st of everyone trying out the new gelato spot — and KikiLu also confirmed its soft opening on its Instagram stories. Click here to see what we know. 

The Biggest New Jersey Hot Air Balloon Festival is Happening Next Weekend

From July 29th to July 31st, the New Jersey Lottery’s Festival of Ballooning is returning to Solberg Airport, located at 39 Thor Solberg Road in Readington, New Jersey. This is not only the largest summertime New Jersey hot air balloon festival, but according to the website, it’s also the largest hot air balloon festival in North America. 100 balloons will take flight for both morning (6:30AM) and evening (6:30PM) mass ascensions. The festival, which is separate from the balloon rides and requires independent admission, will also include music, amusement rides, family-friendly entertainment, food, and more. Click here for what we know about the festival.