Memorial Day weekend is finally here and summer is right around the corner. It has been another week of news in Hudson County, and we’ve got all the headlines to get you caught up, as we do every week — from all around the internet. Among the local news: the City of Hoboken announces its Hudson Place Water Main Replacement Project; Jersey City’s floating clubhouse, Honorable William Wall, is hosting a boat show on 6/1; and a new thriller, Coin Toss/A Place in Hell, is filming in Jersey City next week. Keep reading for all the news in Hoboken + Jersey City for the week ending on May 25th, 2025.
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Among the Headlines (read on for the full stories + more):
NJ Transit Strike Ends as Agreement Reached
Alessio’s Expands to the Weehawken Waterfront with a New Cafe
New Hoboken Taco Spot ‘Mexico Tacos’ Debuts on Newark Street
New Hat Bar + Art Studio, The Collective, Opens in Hoboken
SW3AT Wellness in Jersey City to Close on 5/31
Alfalfa Introduces New Gluten-Free Brownie
New Irish Pub, DAGDA, Opening in Downtown Jersey City This Summer
7th Annual ‘Great Jersey City Cleanup’ Taking Place on 5/31
Wine Dads to Open its Third Location in Jersey City
Hound About Town to Host Party for Pups in Jersey City
Mexican Restaurant, Mariscos El Submarino, Opens in Downtown Jersey City
NJ Transit Strike Ends as Agreement Reached
NJ Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), the labor union representing railroad workers, reached a tentative deal to end the strike that led to a full shutdown of all NJ Transit rail services on May 16th. NJ Transit services resumed on Tuesday, May 20th. Click here for more.
Southbound Lane of Jersey Avenue Reopens
Photo Credit: City of Hoboken
Southwest Hoboken is changing a part of the next phase of the Rebuild by Design Project, and The Hoboken Girl has updates on the work in progress. In mid-April, portions of Jersey Avenue in Hoboken and Jersey City closed, with plans to reopen in about a month. Last week, we found out that the construction is behind schedule. Now the Southbound lane of Jersey Avenue has reopened as of May 23rd at 4PM. Click here for more.
Alessio’s Expands to the Weehawken Waterfront With a New Cafe
Photo Credit: Omega Render
Over the past few years, local Italian eatery Alessio’s has become a household name in Hoboken and Jersey City with its two cafes, a restaurant, and a gourmet market. The Hudson County staple exclusively shared details with The Hoboken Girl about its newest business venture: a third cafe located at 1525 Harbor Boulevard in Weehawken. The spot has plans to open sometime this summer on the ground floor of The Estuary. Click here for more.
Jersey City Council Proposes Ordinance to Ban the Use of AI-Driven Software When Setting Rent Prices
After an amended ordinance was proposed at the Jersey City council meeting on May 21st — aiming to prohibit landlords from using AI-driven software to set rental prices — Jersey City may become the first municipality in the Garden State to implement such a ban. Click here for more.
New Hoboken Taco Spot ‘Mexico Tacos’ Debuts on Newark Street
Photo Credit: Russel Basile
Recently, construction permits at 57 Newark Street in Hoboken were spotted, prompting excitement of a new taco restaurant coming soon. Locals were speculating that it might somehow be related to the Los Tacos locations in New York. However, The Hoboken Girl team has recently learned from its owner that the new taco spot will now be called ‘Mexico Tacos,’ and is not related to Los Tacos in NYC. Click here for more.
PATH Riders Deliver Petition to Port Authority Demanding More Service
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla delivered a 5,000 signature petition to Port Authority officials on May 22nd in an effort to demand more frequent off-peak and night PATH service. Bhalla led a parade of riders dissatisfied with waits of 20 and 40 minutes between trains. Councilmember-at-Large, Emily Jabbour, also joined Hudson County Complete Streets to demand more reliable and frequent PATH service.
Hoboken Man Harasses Two Women at Local Coffee Shop
A man was charged on May 6th for harassing two women at a Hoboken coffee shop last year. Per a Hoboken Police arrest blotter, just before 1PM on May 6th, a police officer arrested and formally processed Jon Allison, 36, of Hoboken, in connection with an incident on November 27, 2024. In that incident, multiple Hoboken police officers responded to Mojo Coffee at 801 Bloomfield Street on reports of “two women being attacked by a man,” police said. Police determined, after an on-scene investigation, that Jon followed two women and grabbed one by the arm. He was charged with harassment and processed at Hoboken Police Headquarters. Jon was ultimately taken to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
The Hudson School in Hoboken to Host All-Girls Summer Camp Pop Up
Curious Jane, an all-girls summer camp and print magazine, is coming to Hoboken this summer at The Hudson School, 601 Park Avenue. This camp experience features project-based themes in crafts and DIY-inspired areas of design. Curious Jane camp will be popping up for one week at The Hudson School from June 23rd through June 27th, for girls 5-11 years old (grouped by age). Click here for more information.
Baked by Melissa Partners with Hoboken’s Moo Jersey on New Ice Cream Flavor
Baked by Melissa (BBM) and Hoboken’s Moo Jersey have partnered on a new ice cream flavor. It’s an elevated take on Neapolitan that combines a 55% Dark Chocolate ice cream with a Strawberry Gelato. The ice cream is laced with marshmallow fluff and features signature BBM cupcakes. This ice cream is available now through May 31st at the Union Square, Grand Central, Soho, UES, UWS, and 86th street locations. It’s the first of the first of three planned flavors for BBM. Moo Jersey hopes to drop some free samples in Hoboken next week for those that can’t get into the city.
New Hat Bar + Art Studio, The Collective, Opens in Hoboken
Hoboken-based artists now have another creative outlet where they can fuel their artistic endeavors. The Collective, a new space featuring a makers’ market, art studio, and the Mile Square’s first custom hat bar, opened on the fourth floor of 323 Washington Street on May 17th. Click here for more.
SW3AT Wellness in Jersey City to Close on 5/31
The owners of SW3AT Wellness in Jersey City shared in a recent newsletter that they will be closing on May 31st. Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez, one of the owners, said she will now focus on their latest endeavor, The Other Side Dispensary: a licensed cannabis dispensary focused on education, wellness, and community while normalizing cannabis use.
Alfalfa Introduces New Gluten-Free Brownies
Alfalfa introduced its newest gluten free bakery item on May 21st, a house-made fudgy gluten-free brownie crafted with premium K+M chocolate and Valrhona cocoa powder, finished with a dollop of its signature peanut butter whipped cream. This item is available now exclusively on the Alfalfa app, website or in-store.
New Irish Pub, DAGDA, Opening in Downtown Jersey City This Summer
Irish pub DAGDA is taking over the space at 123 Newark Avenue in Downtown Jersey City, formerly occupied by Cafe Coretto. It’s run by several Jersey City locals who want to make it the next friendly neighborhood hangout spot. One of the owners tells The Hoboken Girl the tentative plan is to open sometime this summer. Click here for more.
7th Annual ‘Great Jersey City Cleanup’ Taking Place on 5/31
The Seventh Annual Great Jersey City Cleanup takes place on Saturday, May 31st. Thousands of volunteers across Jersey City have participated each year in efforts to beautify the city. Volunteers will get their gloves ready to remove litter and debris from sidewalks, and fix up public spaces through planting and maintenance activities. Click here for more.
Wine Dads to Open its Third Location in Jersey City
Wine Dads, a Hoboken-based wine shop, will open its third location this fall in Jersey City. A source close to the project confirmed to The Hoboken Girl that the store has signed a lease for a retail space at 425 Summit Avenue, near the Journal Square PATH Station. Jeff Carroll, a spokesperson for Wine Dads, shared, “This store will be slightly larger than our other two stores and will carry the full range of offerings: wine, beer, spirits, THC beverages, and wine + spirits accessories, with our typical focus on small producers, natural and organic wines, craft distillers and unusual varieties. This store, like our others, will also be staffed with knowledgeable experts who can help guide customers in finding something that they’ll love.”
Mexican Restaurant, Mariscos El Submarino, Opens in Downtown Jersey City
Mariscos El Submarino, a coastal Mexican restaurant, has officially launched its first Garden State location in Downtown Jersey City. Located at 103 Christopher Columbus Drive, the Jersey City outpost is the restaurant’s third location. Mariscos El Submarine features authentic Mexican seafood with a casual ambience and is now open daily from noon until 10PM.
Hound About Town to Host Party for Pups in Jersey City
Local pet supply store, Hound About Town, which has two locations in the Hamilton Park and Van Vorst Park neighborhoods of Jersey City, is hosting a party for pups this June complete with pup cups, friendship collars, pet portraits, and more. The event will take place on Sunday, June 15th at 17 McWilliams Place — Hound About Town’s Hamilton Park location. Click here for more.
Jersey City Jazz Festival Returning for 2025 on 5/27
One of the largest jazz festivals in the Tri-State area is returning next week. The Jersey City Jazz Festival, hosted by local non-profit Riverview Jazz, will kick off on Tuesday, May 27th and run through Saturday, May 31st. The event will be complete with various live music performances and hundreds of jazz musicians at the Exchange Plaza plaza on the Hudson River waterfront. Click here for more.
New Legal Thriller, Coin Toss/A Place in Hell, to Film in Jersey City
Coin Toss (aka A Place in Hell) is a new legal thriller that follows two women who work at a high-profile criminal law firm. The film stars Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People, War of the Worlds, Cold Feet), Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine, My Week With Marilyn, Brokeback Mountain), and Douglas Dickerman (Ozark, Acrimony). Grant Wilfley Casting is seeking extras from NYC, Jersey City, Hoboken, Newark, Kearny, and Bayonne, per a casting call. The film will shoot in Jersey City on May 27th and May 28th. Click here for more.
New Cafe to Open at Former Hidden Grounds Downtown Hoboken Space
Back in July 2024, local java staple Hidden Grounds announced the closure of its downtown location at 79 Hudson Street. Now, a new Korean café and bakery will take over the space. A construction permit was spotted on the door on Tuesday, February 25th for a cafe/bakery shop, and a worker confirmed with HG that Blue Angel Artisan Cafe + Bakery will open its second Hudson County location there. As of May 20th, the paper in the windows has come down as the new coffee spot takes steps towards opening. Click here for more.
97-Year Old Man Dies in Jersey City Fire
A man died in a fire in Jersey City, just one week after he celebrated his 97th birthday. Per a Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office press release, shortly after 1:30PM on Thursday, May 15th, the Jersey City Fire Department was notified of a fire at 318 York Street. During suppression activities, firefighters located an injured male, later identified as Albert Von Chorba, 97, of Jersey City, with serious injuries. He was transported to Jersey City Medical Center, and later Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after noon on Sunday, May 18th. Foul play is not suspected and the cause appears to be electrical in nature.
Jersey City’s Floating Clubhouse to Host Boat Show on 6/1
The Honorable William Wall — aka the Willy Wall — is Jersey City’s two-story floating clubhouse complete with a full bar and good vibes on the Hudson River. A Sofar Boat Show will take place on Sunday, June 1st and will include live music from 6PM-8PM as well as drinks, and tickets can be purchased here. Those interested can choose between 5:30PM, 6PM, or 6:30PM launch times, and the cost is $50. Click here for more.
New Underground Tunnel, The Gateway Program, to Connect NY + NJ
Photo Credit: Gateway Development Commission
The Gateway Program is the largest infrastructure investment in the country to date. It is a multi-state rail infrastructure improvement project. The Gateway Program will make the tunnel between the most congested section of the Northeast corridor more reliable. Click here for more.
Hoboken’s Studio L Dance Co. to Represent USA at Dance World Cup 2025
Studio L Dance Co. in Hoboken shared via Instagram that it will be representing Team USA at the Dance World Cup 2025 in Burgos, Spain this July. over 10,000 dancers from more than 65 nations will come together to compete at the highest level. Representing Studio L Dance Co. on this international stage will be four incredibly talented dancers: Naomi Wei, Maya Steinfeld, Mikaela Wei, and Bianca Marchitelli. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been created to help offset travel, training, and participation expenses.
City of Hoboken Hosts Community BBQ at Damon Murray Gym
Mayor Ravi Bhalla and the City of Hoboken invited residents to kick off the summer season on Saturday, May 24th, with an open gym and BBQ at the Damon Murray Community Gym, 605 Jackson Street. Per a City of Hoboken press release, residents enjoyed hot dogs from local vendor Cal’s Hot Dogs and ice cream cones from Mr. Softee as well as indoor recreation and free play.
Inheritance Theater Project Celebrates Hoboken With Play + Block Party on 6/1
Falling into social isolation is probably more common now than ever before, but Inheritance Theater Project (ITP) aims to change that. The Hoboken iteration of ITP kicked off in September of 2024 with an informational table at the Hoboken Fall Arts + Music Festival. Nine months of productive local events organized by ITP followed. Click here for more.
Hoboken Memorial Day Parade Returns for 2025
The City of Hoboken honored and remembered those who have served our country with its annual Hoboken Memorial Day Parade. The parade took place on Wednesday, May 21st at 6:30PM, and marched down Washington Street from City Hall to the Hoboken Elks Lodge. Click here for more.
Hoboken Announces Hudson Place Water Main Replacement Project
The City of Hoboken announced on May 16th the Hudson Place Area Water Main Replacement Project, which will upgrade over 850 linear feet of water mains in the Hudson Place area. Per a City of Hoboken press release, to accommodate repairs Hudson Place, east of River Street, has been closed to vehicular traffic since May 19th, from 8AM to 6PM. Temporary No Parking signs have been posted. The taxi stand has been temporarily relocated to the south side of Newark Street between Hudson Street and River Street. Click here for more information and a weekly construction schedule for the Hudson Place Area Water Main Replacement Project.
Hoboken Awarded $1.25M+ in Grant Funding for Parks
Mayor Ravi Bhalla and the City of Hoboken announced on May 20th that the City has been awarded $1.25 million in grant funding from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres program and recommended for another $1 million from the Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund for open space improvements this year. Per a City of Hoboken press release, the funding will be used for the construction of the future resiliency park at 800 Monroe Street, upgrades to Tom Olivieri Park to improve access and inclusivity, and construction of the skatepark and waterfront walkway at the future Maritime Park.
50 Activities for Your 2025 Summer Bucket List in Hoboken + Jersey City
Over the past few months, our team of locals has worked hard to create the ultimate Hoboken + Jersey City summer bucket list. We don’t use that superlative lightly: our list includes 50 local activities that we believe every resident should experience at least once. Click here for more.
New Development Approved Near Lincoln Park in Jersey City
Jersey City’s Zoning Board recently approved an application to revamp several plots at 136 Delaware Avenue in Jersey City. Per Jersey Digs, the properties, near Lincoln Park, are mostly vacant besides some surface parking. The building will consist of 54 residential units and construction is expected to begin next year.
Hoboken Announces Citi Bike Program Expansion
Photo Credit: City of Hoboken
The City of Hoboken announced on May 20th two updates to the Citi Bike program, which will increase docking capacity in downtown Hoboken to improve bike share availability near Hoboken Terminal and lower Washington Street, increase access to City Hall, and improve overnight parking availability for residents. Per a City of Hoboken press release, on May 23rd, Citi Bike relocated the bike share station in front of City Hall to Newark Street, between Hudson Street and Washington Street, activating the plaza in front of CVS. Also, a new eight-dock Citi Bike station was installed on the sidewalk in front of City Hall, expanding the City’s bike-sharing infrastructure in the high-demand downtown Hoboken area.
2 Jersey City Organizations Receive Russell Berrie Foundation Awards
For nearly 30 years, The Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award has honored hundreds of unsung heroes who are making a mark in cities and towns across the state. Per a press release, this year, the awards celebrate the impact of ten individuals whose leadership, dedication, and spirit have inspired others to seek change through service, and two of the honorees are based in Jersey City. John El-Maraghy is the founder of Archangel Raphael’s Mission Inc. (ARM), a volunteer organization focused on restoring dignity to homeless individuals by providing mobile hygiene and health services in Newark, New Brunswick, and Hoboken. Lewis Spears, is founder of Kismet of Kings, an academic and leadership development organization that creates a positive environment and enriching experiences to help young BIPOC men in Jersey City succeed and thrive.
Hoboken Invites Residents to Improvement Projects Workshop
Photo Credit: City of Hoboken
The City of Hoboken invites residents and stakeholders to attend a public workshop on Thursday, June 5th, from 6:30PM-8PM at the Wallace Elementary School cafeteria, 1100 Willow Avenue, to learn more about local improvement projects. Per a City of Hoboken press release, residents are encouraged to provide feedback on proposed Vision Zero safety improvements along Willow Avenue between 11th Street and 16th Street and amenity upgrades at the adjacent Tom Olivieri Park.
Hudson River Waterfront Petitions for Holland Tunnel Piers to Open
The Hudson River Waterfront Conservancy is sponsoring a petition asking the Port Authority of NY NJ to open the Jersey City Holland Tunnel Piers to the public. A post was shared on Instagram by Fund for a Better Waterfront on May 23rd.
