Updates
It’s been another busy week in the Hoboken and Jersey City area. There are plenty of other news headlines to get caught up on in Hoboken and Jersey City. Among the highlights: Jersey City announces Fourth of July celebration plans; Hoboken Library hosts Banned Book Read-a-Thon; and two local businesses change their business models. Read on for all the news in Hoboken and Jersey City for the week ending June 18th, 2023.
City of Hoboken and Stevens Institute Announce Pool and Tennis Court Access for City Residents
The City of Hoboken and Stevens Institute of Technology have partnered to provide tennis court access to Hoboken residents this summer.
Via a press release, the City of Hoboken and Stevens Institute announced an agreement to allow Hoboken residents to use the Stevens tennis and pool facilities.
The tennis courts, located on the northern end of the campus, will be available free of charge to Hoboken residents from 9AM to 8PM, seven days a week through August 27th. Additionally, residents will have the opportunity to purchase memberships and day passes to access the pool in the Schaefer Athletic Center on weekdays from 9AM to 8PM and Saturdays from 10AM to 5PM. Proof of residency will be required for access to the tennis courts and pool.
Hoboken residents interested in utilizing the tennis courts and swimming pool must register online, and provide contact information as well as government identification or a utility bill indicating a Hoboken address. The form will then be processed by the City with an approval email from the City required before beginning the Stevens registration process.
Residents can purchase year-round pool access through daily, weekly, or monthly memberships by following the same registration process. The pool fees are as follows: $20 for one day, $35 for two weeks, or $55 monthly. Senior citizens are eligible for discounted rates of $15 per day, $25 for two weeks, or $35 monthly. Stevens also offers family swim monthly memberships for $105 and family swim two-week memberships for $65 as well as parent and child monthly memberships for $70 and parent and child two-week memberships for $40. The pool will be closed on Juneteenth and Independence Day.
View a campus map online. For more detailed information on how to apply for a pool membership, please click here, and for a list of pools in the area, click here.
Signage Up For New Fish Market + Raw Bar Coming to Hoboken
A new fish market + raw bar called Angelo Seafood Market recently put up signage at 626 Washington Street. The new market is brought to the Mile Square by the owners of Stingray Lounge, a local uptown favorite for their cocktails and raw bar. Angelo Seafood Market will be opening in 2023, and if it’s anything like Stingray Lounge, Hudson County residents should be getting excited about this new seafood spot. Keep reading for what we know about Angelo Seafood Market coming to Hoboken.
Port Authority Launches Robotics Contest for
High School STEM Students
Calling on high school #STEM students to design a robot to be used for emergency response on the catwalks in the @PANYNJ_LT & @PANYNJ_HT.
The challenge begins on June 28 and runs through November.
Find out more, including the link to the application 👉 pic.twitter.com/K8ouAtVnvZ
— Port Authority of NY & NJ (@PANYNJ) June 8, 2023
Local high school students could be STEM heroes in a new contest announced by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The contest asks students to design a robot that could help the agency manage traffic in the Holland and Lincoln tunnels. The Port Authority will host three online information sessions over the summer for students interested in participating. For more information on the application process, click here.
Weehawken Must Make Pool Passes Available to All NJ Residents, State Says
Per Patch, the town of Weehawken has been instructed by the State of New Jersey to make pool passes available to all New Jersey residents. The town has a new pool facility that was partially funded with state money, and because of that, must make pool passes available, and affordable, to all residents. However, there has been an ongoing dispute since the pool’s opening in 2022 about what that looks like in practice. Learn more here.
New Seafood Restaurant Coming to the Jersey City Waterfront
After hearing about signage being put up for a new fish market and raw bar coming to Hoboken, there’s also some seafood news happening in Jersey City. A new seafood-forward restaurant — called Blue Anchor Bar + Kitchen — is coming to the Newport section of Jersey City this year inside The Beach complex on the JC waterfront. Read on for what we know about Blue Anchor Bar + Kitchen coming to Hudson County
Spesh Salon + Barbershop Closes Hoboken Storefront;
Converts to Mobile-Only
Hoboken is home to many creative and unique businesses — from fitness options to eateries, you can find just about anything you are looking for in the Mile Square City. However, Hoboken salon and barbershop Spesh has made the decision to close its Hoboken storefront and convert its business to mobile-only. Its storefront was located at 932 Washington Street. This gender-neutral parlor has haircutting and styling, hair color treatments, gray blending, beard trims, and texture treatments such as relaxers. Read more about what this now mobile-only salon + barbershop is about.
Arrests Made in Sports Memorabilia Conspiracy
Nine Charged With Conspiracy To Steal Major Artworks And Sports Memorabilia @FBIPhiladelphia @PAStatePolice @LackawannaDA @ScrantonPolice @USAttorneys pic.twitter.com/bYwfCC34yu
— U.S. Attorney MDPA (@MDPAnews) June 15, 2023
The US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced charges against nine men in connection with a 2014 theft of memorabilia from the Yogi Berra Museum in Montclair. According to a press release, over 20 years the nine men conspired to steal memorabilia and artwork, and other objects. Over a dozen law enforcement agencies participated in the investigation. Many of the items were melted down to be resold for their materials or destroyed.
Bleu Coffee Opens 2nd Location in Downtown Jersey City
Bleu Coffee, which originally planted roots in the lobby of a Jersey City apartment building back in 2016, has officially opened a second location in the heart of the Powerhouse Arts District this month. The new spot is located at 175 2nd Street, occupying the former Busy Bee Organics post, and will serve hot + cold drinks and freshly baked pastries with two floors of seating. Read on to find out more about what we know about the cafe’s second JC spot.
Jersey City Schools Receive Grant for Green Infrastructure
Per the Hudson County View, the Jersey City Board of Education will receive a $79.5K grant with the purpose of retrofitting schools with green infrastructure. The funds come from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and will be specifically used to address stormwater issues. Partners of the Jersey City Public Schools have made other contributions bringing the total donated to the effort to $102,000.
Hoboken Bakery Annie & Em’s Changes Business Model
In a message posted on social media, Annie & Em’s Bakeshop announced it would be changing its business model. The bakery, located at 155 3rd Street, will now focus only on “focuses solely on our Pre-Ordering, Catering, Custom Celebration Cake, Shipping and Wholesale offerings.” The gluten-free bakeshop originally started as a farmers’ market vendor in 2018. Read more about the team behind Annie & Em’s in our profile here.
Hudson County Filipino Business and
Community Leaders Honored
Local Filipino business owners and community leaders were honored by Hudson County during a ceremony at the Brennan Court House, according to a social media post from the Philippine-American Friendship Community, Inc. A flag-raising ceremony was held on June 13th in honor of the 125th Philippine Independence Day. Among the honorees were the founders of Baking Mama, Tina Rivera, and Baonanas, Lloyd Ortuoste.
Hoboken Public Library’s ‘Banned Book’ Read-a-Thon Hosted, Despite Social Media Attacks
Throughout Pride month, various organizations have shown support and hosted various events in the Hoboken and Jersey City communities. One such event, the Hoboken Public Library’s Banned Book Read-a-Thon, was the target of hateful messages on social media — aimed at the Hoboken Public Library ahead of its taking place Saturday, June 17th, 2023. Despite a barrage of social media attacks, the event still took place this weekend. Read on for more.
Jersey City Announces Its July 4th Celebration
Via a press release, Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop, the Jersey City Office of Cultural Affairs, and Jersey City Night Market announced that the annual July 4th celebration is back again this year with the Fourth of July Street Fair and Fireworks along the Hudson River waterfront. With 60 food trucks and vendors, the street fair will highlight Jersey City’s small businesses, arts, and culture. Local DJs will play from multiple stages, creating a fun atmosphere for attendees, and the day-long celebration will be capped off by fireworks lighting up the sky over the Hudson River conducted by Guinness World Record holder, Fireworks by Grucci.
Roads surrounding Montgomery Street will be closed for the duration of the event. Anyone planning to attend is strongly encouraged to arrive by foot, bike, or public transportation, as parking will be extremely limited. The Exchange Place light rail stop will be closed. Attendees are advised to use the Harborside or Marin Boulevard stops. Bike JC will offer free bike valet parking to encourage alternative transportation. For more information on the Fourth of July Street Fair and Fireworks, please visit Jersey City’s Cultural Affairs website.
Local Real Estate Team Wins National Accolades
The Jill Biggs Group has earned a prestigious spot on the 2023 Real Trends The Thousand as featured in The Wall Street Journal. The Jill Biggs Group specializes in residential real estate in Hoboken, Jersey City, Union City, Weehawken, West New York, Guttenberg, North Bergen, Secaucus and all of the “Gold Coast” communities along the Hudson River. The team has achieved more than $1 billion in sales over the last 15 years.
Hudson County Says Goodbye to Longtime Sportswriter
Jim Hague, a Jersey City native and longtime Hudson County sportswriter, passed away this week, according to Patch. Jim was a graduate of St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City and was a sports reporter in North Jersey for his entire career. He retired from The Observer in March 2022. Read his final column here.
Hudson County Prosecutor Launches Safe Place Program to Combat Hate Crimes
Photo courtesy of the Hoboken Police Department
In a press release, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office announced a new program in an effort to increase public awareness about reporting hate and bias crimes. The Safe Place Program is a nationwide program developed by the Seattle Police Department in 2015 to provide resources and assistance to victims of hate and bias crimes.
Hudson County businesses or organizations interested in participating are encouraged to signup online by visiting here. Once the form is complete, Community Outreach Coordinator D’Liz Polanco, who serves as the Hudson County Safe Place Administrator, will contact you to provide you with a Safe Place window sticker and welcome packet.
Golden Door Film Festival Returns to Jersey City
The Golden Door Film Festival will be back in Jersey City for the 12th year later this month according to NJ.com. Two locations will play host to the film screenings: Nimbus Arts Center, 329 Warren Street, and Art House Productions, 345 Marin Boulevard. Tickets are available online now.
Jersey City to Consider ADUs
Per NJ.com, the Jersey City Zoning Board is considering changes that would permit accessory dwelling units, known as ADUs, to be built on some residential lots. Only certain zones would be permitted to have ADUs, and the idea is to increase housing availability and affordability. Other North Jersey communities have also permitted ADUs, most recently, Montclair.
Hoboken Hairstylist Seeks Community Support in Cancer Battle
Hoboken hairstylist Kiki, at Vision of Hair, is asking for the community’s support. Kiki, a cancer survivor, needs additional surgery to help with pain management and a complete recovery. Her daughter Isabela has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to support Kiki.
Port Liberte Ferry Service Returns July 5th
Per a social media post, the Port Liberte Ferry to Wall Street will restart on July 5th. The full schedule is available online. The route will initially run on weekdays only, with a schedule limited to peak hours.
Northern NJ Ranks High for Costs for Renters, Officially
A recently released study from LawnLove.com ranked the Newark/Jersey City/New York area as the number one most expensive area for renters in 2023. The study examined average rent prices, year-over-year rent changes, and the share of renters spending over 30% of their income on rent and utilities, among nine total metrics. The only other area in New Jersey to be included was Trenton-Princeton which was ranked #22.
Filming at The Barrow Mansion in Jersey City
Filming took place at The Barrow Mansion in downtown Jersey City earlier this week. An HG reader snapped pictures of Regarding Veronica, an LGBTQ drama. The film is produced by The Great Griffon, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.
Hoboken Dual Language Charter School Announces Partnership with Queen Sofia Spanish Institute
Per a press release, the Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa), a Spanish-English dual language school, has launched a new partnership with the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute (QSSI). The institute works with schools to craft lessons on the Spanish role in the American Revolution, so HoLa has begun incorporating some of their lessons into their middle school Social Studies curriculum. Queen Sofía Spanish Institute provided the school with materials and resources, which the school then integrated into their curriculum in preparation for formal instruction this fall. This initiative was completed as a soft launch in the 2022-2023 school year.
Basketball Tournament Being Held in Honor of Hoboken Resident Chris Garcia
A basketball tournament is being held in honor of a Hoboken resident who was tragically murdered last year. Christopher “Chris” Garcia was a Hoboken resident who was shot at a local Hoboken basketball court on Sunday, September 25th, 2022. To honor his contributions to the community, local clothing lines Vail Stones and Street Friends, as well as non-profit organization What Hoboken Sounds Like, are organizing a basketball tournament on Sunday, July 9th in the neighborhood where Chris tragically lost his life.
The 1-game elimination tournament will take place between 5th and 6th Streets on Marshall Avenue, and starts at 9AM. There will be free food and a live DJ. Per information sent to The Hoboken Girl, the event has already gained support from over 10 sponsors around Hoboken. You can find more information about the event here.
GTK Hosts Grand Opening in Hoboken
Ghost Truck Kitchen, formerly a take-out and delivery outpost, is opening two new locations — one grab-and-go outpost in uptown Hoboken located at 1014 Washington Street and a group-dining storefront in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood of Jersey City. The new Hoboken spot, called Go-To Kitchen, held a soft opening in May, and the grand opening of the new outpost is today, June 15th until 11PM. The food truck-style menu of hand-held bites and global dishes became a hit during the pandemic, especially since there are options for everyone. All the food is prepared from scratch, according to its website, and only the “best ingredients” are used. This week GTK also announced a collab for a special Thursday cookie, in collaboration with local bakers and influencers, Jordan + Joelle Hernandez. Read on to learn more.
Hoboken Mayor Joins ICLEI-USA Board of Directors Reinforcing Hoboken’s Commitment to Combat Climate Change
Via a press release, Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla today announced his appointment to the ICLEI – USA Board of Directors, further strengthening the City of Hoboken’s dedication to addressing climate change head-on. ICLEI, the leading global network of local governments dedicated to tackling pressing sustainability challenges, endeavors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance livelihoods, and safeguard natural resources in communities nationwide.
As a board member, Mayor Bhalla will collaborate with fellow local leaders, including mayors and county executives representing diverse regions throughout the country, to steer ICLEI – USA strategically and ensure that the organization continuously surpasses expectations while delivering value to its member municipalities.
Taco Bell Location Approved in Jersey City Near Holland Tunnel
Jersey City has approved plans to Live Mas, even later. Per Jersey Digs, plans for a late-night Taco Bell location at 231 12th Street, which is the current location of a BP station. The Taco Bell will have a drive-thru, and will start with operating hours from 7AM to 2AM, with plans for 24-hour operations.
Right to Counsel Legislation Moves Forward in Jersey City
The Jersey City Council voted unanimously to advance one of the strongest Right-to-Counsel legislations in the country, per the Hudson County View. In response, Councilmember James E. Solomon released the following statement:
“Despite an onslaught of right-wing, corporate interference, the City Council sided with working families by advancing Right-to-Counsel legislation. I am so grateful to have worked alongside Councilmembers Frank Gilmore, Yousef J. Saleh, Daniel Rivera, Mayor Steven Fulop, and the Right to Counsel Coalition JC to get this through the finish line—and I am grateful to the entire Jersey City Council for voting to adopt this critical legislation.
Right-to-Counsel will ensure that families bearing the brunt of Jersey City’s housing crisis—tenants at risk of eviction—have a wealth of resources available to them to stay in their homes. Right now, less than 5% of tenants are able to access representation in eviction court, while over 80% of landlords and developers can. This legislation will close that gap, and it will entirely be paid for by the developers who benefit the most from this housing affordability crisis by enacting development fees that would fund Right-to-Counsel and replenish the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. This is a critical step in fixing our affordable housing crisis, balancing our budget, and investing in critical services to keep Jersey City residents in their homes. Our city deserves nothing less.”
Avocado Sushi is Open in Hoboken
Hudson County has so much diversity when it comes to food and drink choices — the list of options is endless and there’s something for every taste. Just in the past week, we’ve heard about Bleu Coffee’s second location, a new seafood restaurant, and more food + drink news in Hoboken and Jersey City. Now, there’s another new restaurant open in The Mile Square — and this time it’s a sushi spot on Washington Street. Read on for what we know about Avocado Sushi in Hoboken.
