updates
Coastal flooding and a drop in temperatures are some of the indirect effects of Hurricane Erin in New Jersey. 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: a new toddler playground opened at Church Square Park in Hoboken; Urban Market is opening in Jersey City in 2026; and a new COVID-19 variant ‘Razor Blade’ is spreading across New Jersey. Keep reading for all the news in Hoboken + Jersey City for the week ending on August 24th, 2025.
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Among the Headlines (read on for the full stories + more):
- New Pickle Shop ‘Pickle Joy’ Opens in Downtown Hoboken
- Woof Gang Bakery + Grooming Opens in Hoboken
- Hoboken City Council Votes 5-3 to Approve $150.26 Million Municipal Budget
- City of Hoboken Announces Annual Green Fair for 2025
- Former Maxwell’s in Hoboken to Be the Star of a New Documentary
- With Love, Valentina to Take Over Former Northern Soul Space in Hoboken
- Bespoke Physical Therapy Opens in Hoboken
- Optimize Chiropractic Takes Over Former Provision Eye Care Space in Hoboken
- Willow Pelvic Health Opens in Hoboken
- NJDEP Postpones Marin Boulevard Closure in Hoboken/Jersey City
- Bridge in Hoboken Closes for Urgent Repairs
- COVID-19 Variant ‘Razor Blade’ Spreads Across New Jersey
New Pickle Shop, Pickle Joy, Opens in Downtown Hoboken
Pickle Joy is now open in the former barbershop space next to The Roost at 55 1st Street in Hoboken. Aside from pickles, the shop also sells olives, sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, marinated mushrooms, and krelish (kraut + relish). Click here for more.
Woof Gang Bakery + Grooming Opens in Hoboken
The retail space at 1112 Washington Street in Hoboken was formerly home to the beloved Giorgio’s Bakery, which closed in 2021. New plans were approved for the space to become a Woof Gang Bakery + Grooming location earlier this summer. As of early June, signage was up, and now it’s open in Hoboken as of Thursday, August 21st. Click here for more.
Free Consult + Massage at Hudson Sport + Spine in Hoboken
Hudson Sport + Spine, located at 70 Hudson Street, Suite 2B in Hoboken, is dedicated to holistic recovery and well-being through chiropractic care and physical therapy. Dr. Todd and his team provide various treatments and services that can help you feel and perform your best and Hoboken Girl readers have exclusive access to a free consultation and massage. Click here for more.
Carol Ann’s Table: A Cozy BYOB Restaurant in Jersey City Heights
Carol Ann’s Table is a new spot in the Heights at 333 Palisade Avenue that is locally-owned and operated by Chef Andrew Ifill. Named after Chef Andrew’s grandmother, this BYOB restaurant has a small, curated menu and is great for a date night on Palisade Avenue. Click here for more.
Hoboken City Council Votes 5-3 to Approve $150.26 Million Municipal Budget
The Hoboken City Council voted 5-3 to approve a $150.26 million municipal budget that will result in a 4.5% tax increase for residents. The increase is lower than the original tax hike in the initial budget passed in May. Discussions became heated along the way towards getting a budget passed for the 2025 Fiscal Year. Click here for more.
City of Hoboken Announces Annual Green Fair for 2025
The City of Hoboken and the Hoboken Green Team announced the return of the Hoboken Green Fair, scheduled for Saturday, October 4th, from 11AM to 3PM at Church Square Park. Per a City of Hoboken press release, the Hoboken Green Fair aims to introduce sustainable lifestyle choices to the community, raise awareness about environmental issues, and show how consumers can reduce their environmental impact. Local vendors, nonprofit organizations, and green businesses, will offer information, goods, and services that support a more sustainable future.
Former Maxwell’s in Hoboken to Be the Star of a New Documentary
Maxwell’s, a historical Hoboken music venue known for showcasing performers like My Chemical Romance and Nirvana, is now getting its own documentary. It’s called No Backstage at Maxwell’s, and according to Variety, it’s directed by American filmmaker Paul Rachman, best known for his 2006 documentary American Hardcore, and produced by former music executive Claudia Sullivan. Click here for more.
Urban Aesthetic is Jersey City’s Newest Med Spa
Urban Aesthetic Medicine is a new med spa located at 100 Town Square Place, Suite 405, in Jersey City. Owned and operated by physicians, the all-female team at Urban Aesthetic Medicine is committed to clinical principles and customer service. This Jersey City medspa is on a mission to enhance natural beauty while keeping health and wellness at the core. Click here for more.
With Love, Valentina to Take Over Former Northern Soul Space in Hoboken
In May 2024, Northern Soul, a Hoboken restaurant and bar known for its expansive menu options, temporarily closed its doors at The Sky Club. As of July 2025, over a year after the business’s closing announcement, we now know that Northern Soul will not reopen at The Sky Club, as a new wine bar called With Love, Valentina, from the team behind Wise Vision, is set to take over the space. Click here for more.
Bespoke Physical Therapy Opens in Hoboken
Bespoke Physical Therapy recently opened in Hoboken at the New York Sports Club. Located at 210 14th Street, this physical therapy clinic features expert care, one-on-one attention, and customized plans tailored to each client. With locations in New York City, Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Diego, Bespoke is becoming a go-to destination for people of all ages who want to move better and recover smarter.
Optimize Chiropractic Takes Over Former Provision Eye Care Space in Hoboken
This past spring, local optometrist Provision Eye Care closed its doors in Hoboken at 259 1st Street. For a couple of months, the space sat vacant, but now we know that another medical practice, Optimize Chiropractic of Hoboken, has relocated to this storefront. Optimize Chiropractic opened at the 1st Street property in early August. Click here for more.
Willow Pelvic Health Opens in Hoboken
Willow Pelvic Health opened in Hoboken on August 18th at 300 Clinton Street on the 2nd Floor. This physical therapy practice specializes in pelvic floor therapy and treats patients who need rehab for bowel, bladder and sexual function as well prenatal and postpartum care. Each session is spent 1:1 with the patient providing personalized and skilled care tailored to their goals. A grand opening celebration will be announced soon.
NJDEP Postpones Marin Boulevard Closure in Hoboken/Jersey City
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has informed the City of Hoboken that the anticipated August 25th closure of Marin Boulevard for ongoing construction of the Rebuild by Design Hudson River (RBDH) project’s Resist structure has been postponed. NJDEP will announce a new start date in the near future. This phase of construction, originally scheduled to begin in July, will require the closure of Marin Boulevard/Henderson Street between 18th Street in Jersey City and Observer Highway in Hoboken, for approximately four months. Traffic mitigation plans will be implemented prior to the closure. Click here to learn more about planned mitigation efforts during the Marin Boulevard closure.
Bridge in Hoboken Closes for Urgent Repairs
Part of a federal project to protect Hoboken from flooding during storm surges will close a lane of traffic near the city’s northern border. Hudson County Executive Craig Guy announced that starting August 20th, crews would repair the Park Avenue Bridge, which leads from Hoboken to Weehawken and the Lincoln Tunnel area. Work will take place only on weekdays between 10AM and 10PM. All lanes will be open to traffic outside of working hours. The repairs are expected to be finished by August 26th.
Updates on Underground Tunnel to Connect NY + NJ
The Gateway Development Commission announced on August 20th, 2025, that the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) for this project are almost finished. According to the agency’s news release, procurement, manufacturing, and factory assembly of the first TBM is about 85% complete, while the second is at 73%. Manufacturing of the first machine is expected to wrap up in the coming weeks, with both scheduled for completion by November. Once finished, the TBMs will be shipped to the Garden State for on-site reassembly, with tunneling set to begin in 2026. Click here for more.
Pizzeria on Pine Opening in Bergen-Lafayette in Jersey City This Fall
The Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood will soon welcome a new spot called Pizzeria on Pine, coming to the storefront at 196 Pine Street. The team plans to open this coming September. Click here for more.
New Jersey Residents to Receive $100 Credit on Energy Bills
To combat the high energy costs during the Garden State’s hottest season of the year, state lawmakers recently approved a bill that will grant residents a $100 credit on their September and October bills if they have an active account with one of four participating electric companies. Click here for more.
COVID-19 Variant ‘Razor Blade’ Spreads Across New Jersey
The “razor blade” variant is driving up COVID-19 cases in much of the country, including New Jersey. According to the CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS), XFG is now the dominant variant circulating in the United States. XFG causes a severe sore throat and hoarseness, hence the razor blade COVID nickname. The XFG variant was first detected in January in Southeast Asia, and the earliest U.S. case was in March. In mid-June, XFG comprised 14 cases nationwide.
New Toddler Playground Opens at Church Square Park in Hoboken
Photo Credit: City of Hoboken
Work on the toddler playground at Church Square Park is complete as of August 19th. Children aged five and under can now enjoy the new features. The playground is located in the southwest section of the park, along Fourth Street between Park Avenue and Willow Avenue. The project is part of a longer-term effort to redesign the park. Click here for more.
Love Island USA‘s Jeremiah Hosts Party at The Lola in Hoboken
The Love Island reunion is premiering Monday, August 25th at 9PM EST on Peacock and fans actually had a chance to meet one of this season’s cast members in Hoboken. Jeremiah came to The Lola located at 102 Sinatra Drive on Friday, August 22nd. He took over Lola After Dark, the Hoboken bar’s late-night retro dance party. Click here for more.
Ujamaa Cafe: A Community Vending Machine in Jersey City
Ujamaa Cafe is a local project that is transforming lives and building stronger communities in Jersey City, one healthy meal at a time. The Cafe is actually a vending machine, stocked with thoughtfully curated and balanced meals and snacks. The Cafe, located at Kismet of Kings at 384 Bergen Avenue, Suite 2R, is community-centric and fills an urgent need. Click here for more.
Urban Market to Open in Jersey City in 2026
Brooklyn-based Urban Market opened a location at 1425 Washington Street in Hoboken in March 2025. And now, the popular grocery store will open a Jersey City location in 2026. Click here for more.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie to Perform Live at Madd Hatter in Hoboken
On August 31st, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie will perform live at Madd Hatter in Hoboken. The party kicks off at 9PM and goes on until close. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie will be performing some of his best hits. Click here for tickets and more details.
Hoboken + Jersey City Respond to DOJ Sanctuary City Demands
Hoboken and Jersey City are among a group of communities identified by the Trump Administration as cities that have not complied with the Department of Justice’s directives. Per an April 2025 Executive Order, communities that didn’t change their policies to comply with the DOJ’s directives would risk losing federal funding. Both Hoboken and Jersey City have remained committed to their sanctuary city status, despite mounting pressure from federal officials. Click here for more.
Jersey City LGBTQ+ Pride Festival Returns for 2025
Photo Credit: Trade Photography LLC
The Jersey City LGBTQ+ Pride Festival took place on Saturday, August 23rd from 1PM to 9PM with the theme “Speak Up, Stand Firm, Stay Strong.” The theme was inspired by a presentation given by Stacey Abrams in the 2025 United States Association of Pride conference in Atlanta, Georgia, where she encouraged this message. Click here for more.
First Christian Pentecostal Academy Closes in Jersey City
First Christian Pentecostal Academy (FCPA), a private Christian PreK and K-8 school in Downtown Jersey City, closed abruptly. Per the Jersey City Times, the school’s vice president Waleska Diaz confirmed on August 18th that the school had closed but said she could not comment further.
BOC Approves Hudson County’s 2025 Open Space Trust Fund Project
Following the approval of Hudson County Executive Craig Guy’s recommendations by the Hudson County Board of Commissioners, 22 park improvement projects across Hudson County will share in $11.7 million in county funding. Per a County of Hudson press release, the funding will provide safety upgrades, green space improvements, and playground enhancements in Bayonne, East Newark, Harrison, Hoboken, Jersey City, Kearny, North Bergen, Secaucus, Union City, Weehawken, and West New York.
What is a Runoff Election + What Would Trigger One in Hoboken This Fall?
In New Jersey, municipal elections are occasionally handled differently from other states. Runoff elections occur in certain elections when no candidate reaches a sufficient majority, typically 50 percent plus one, in a given election. Since current Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla is not running for reelection and is instead running for State Assembly, and current Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop launched a failed democratic primary bid for Governor rather than seeking reelection, the fields for both mayoral elections are wide open. This may create the circumstances for a runoff if no one candidate reaches a majority of 50 plus one. Click here for more.
Jersey City Approves Mixed-Use Development in Greenville on JFK Boulevard
A new mixed-use development is coming to the Greenville neighborhood of Jersey City that includes several storefront spaces and affordable housing. During a meeting on August 7th, Jersey City’s Zoning Board approved a plan to revamp 1727-1733 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Per Jersey Digs, the property is situated at the road’s intersection with Danforth Avenue, spans about 0.26 acres, and includes a single-family home plus a two-story building housing Perfect Care Pharmacy and Entenmann’s Florist.
Hoboken Rejects Calls to Eliminate Immigrant Protection Policies
Mayor Ravi Bhalla announced on August 19th that the City of Hoboken will seek to reinforce and revise its immigration protection policies, rejecting US Attorney General Pamela Bondi’s demands for the city to eliminate its Fair & Welcoming City designation. Per a City of Hoboken press release, in a letter dated August 13th to Mayor Bhalla, Attorney General Bondi threatens potential loss of federal funding and possible criminal prosecution of local officials if the city does not comply with federal immigration enforcement directives.
Symposia Bookstore Celebrates 22 Years in Hoboken
Photo Credit: Symposia Team
Symposia Bookstore, a non-profit community bookstore in Hoboken, is celebrating 22 years in town. Located at 510 Washington Street, the bookstore runs on donated books from neighbors and volunteers who offer their time. Together, the Hoboken community has kept this bookstore alive. In August alone, book donations helped make possible a musical open mic, a silent book club, a meditation group, a women’s book club, After Work Wednesday free local music concerts, Story Hours, and Puppetonia shows for children.
Local Teachers Share Classroom Wish Lists for Upcoming School Year
It’s back-to-school season, and for many New Jersey teachers, that means making lesson plans and stocking their classrooms for the upcoming school year. To lend a helping hand to our local educators, we have compiled a list of local New Jersey teachers and their wish lists for this upcoming school year. Click here for more.
New Book Sheds Light on the Lives of Jersey City Artists
Subconscious City by Timothy Herrick is a collection of contemporary literary fiction about art and artists, their lives and loves, set in Jersey City during the second decade of the 21st century. It is a captivating blend of a novella and short stories authored by Herrick, a Jersey City-based writer, poet, and journalist. Subconscious City is available on Amazon and other publishing platforms, Word Book Store in Jersey City ,and other area bookstores.
Hudson County Launches Application for 2026 Local Program Grants
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy launched the application period for both the 2026 Hudson County Local Arts Program (LAP) and the 2026 Hudson County History Partnership Program (HPP) on August 20th. Eligible Hudson County municipalities and non-profit organizations are invited to apply by the application deadline of Monday, September 22nd at 5PM. For more information on eligibility and access to the 2026 LAP application, click here. For more information on eligibility and access to the 2026 HPP application, click here.
Hoboken Postpones Movies Under the Stars Screening of Downton Abbey
Due to predicted rain and possible thunderstorms, the August 20th Movies Under the Stars screening of Downton Abbey has been postponed to Wednesday, August 27th at 9PM. Per a Nixle alert, Downton Abbey: A New Era is rescheduled for Wednesday, September 3rd at 9PM. Both films will be shown at Pier A. Click here for the full Movies Under the Stars schedule, and other Summer Fun events in Hoboken.
Jersey City Free Public Library Wins National Grant
The Jersey City Free Public Library (JCFPL) announced that it has been selected as one of only eight libraries nationwide to receive a highly competitive grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The honor may be the final grant ever awarded by this agency due to the current administration’s defunding of IMLS. Per a JCFPL press release, this funding will launch JCFPL’s bold new oral history initiative, The Jersey City Memory Project, a collaboration between JCFPL’s New Jersey Room and Learning Center. The project is dedicated to maintaining a lasting record of the stories that define Jersey City’s vibrant, multifaceted community. As part of the initiative, the stories collected will be made available to the public on a dedicated page of JCFPL’s website, launching in early 2026.
Jersey City Teen Drowns at Jersey Shore
A 13-year-old Jersey City girl drowned at the Jersey Shore on August 15th and was laid to rest over the weekend. Belmar Police and Belmar Water Rescue members were called to the 8th Avenue beach shortly after 6:30PM after receiving emergency calls about “a swimmer in distress.” At 7:29PM, the teen was found unresponsive in the water off the 7th Avenue beach, according to a Belmar Police Department press release. The teen was transported to Jersey Shore University Hospital and pronounced dead there. Sameeha Sultana’s death was announced in Facebook posts published on August 16th by the Jersey City mosque her family attends and a Union City Islamic school where she was previously a student.
