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December is here and 2025 is coming to a close. 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: Johnny Rockets closes temporarily in Hoboken; RHONJ’s Melissa Gorga Sprinkle Cookies just debuted in select New Jersey Shoprites; and Hoboken boutique Thrifted by J & D announces closure. Keep reading for all the news in Hoboken + Jersey City for the week ending on December 7th, 2025.
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Among the Headlines (read on for the full stories + more):
- Johnny Rockets Closes Temporarily in Hoboken
- Giovanni’s Liquor Store Closing Its Doors After 25 Years in Hoboken
- New Boutique Fitness Studio, Firm AF, to Open in Southwest Hoboken
- Hoboken Boutique Thrifted by J & D, Announces Closure
- New Mediterranean Restaurant + Bar Opens in Jersey City
- RHONJ’s Melissa Gorga Sprinkle Cookies Just Debuted in Select New Jersey ShopRites
- Nana’s Dim Sum + Dumplings and Under Pressure Espresso Bar Coming to Hoboken
- O’Kafe Taking Over Former Bourke Street Bakery Space in Jersey City
- City of Hoboken Receives 100% Score for Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality
Johnny Rockets Closes Temporarily in Hoboken
Johnny Rockets in Hoboken isn’t closing, just undergoing some renovations. Per signage in the window, the restaurant (which has been in town for 30 years), will be temporarily closed until it opens in the spring with a “refreshed” look.
Giovanni’s Liquor Store Closing Its Doors After 25 Years in Hoboken
After nearly 25 years in business, Giovanni’s Liquor Store at 501 9th Street in Hoboken will close. Owner Lucy Cortes confirmed the information, saying that changes in the building ownership, along with her lease not being renewed, were the reason for the closure. Click here for more.
Results of Hoboken’s 2025 Municipal Mayoral and Council Runoff Election
Election Day results showed Emily Jabbour and Dr. Michael Russo as the top two vote getters out of the six candidates who appeared on the ballot. Following the December 2nd runoffs, the vote totals from the Hudson County Clerk’s Unofficial Election Night results as of 10:30PM election night with 100% districts reported Emily Jabbour as the projected winner. Click here for more.
Jersey City Mayoral and City Council Runoff Election Results December 2025
On Election Day this past November, races for Jersey City’s Mayor, Council at Large, and Ward City Council seats were inconclusive. This is because none of the candidates for those elections were able to capture the majority needed to win. Consequently, a runoff election was held on Tuesday, December 2nd to determine clear winners from each race. Click here for more.
New Boutique Fitness Studio, Firm AF, to Open in Southwest Hoboken
Founders Sonny Thai and Carl Hall are bringing a combined 60 years of fitness industry experience to a new strength-inspired low-impact studio on the corner of Newark and Jackson streets in Southwest Hoboken at 601 Observer Highway. Click here for more.
Hoboken Boutique Thrifted by J & D Announces Closure
Thrifted by J & D announced on December 1st that it will be closing on January 30th, 2026. The neighborhood thrift boutique is located at 526 Adams Street in Hoboken. Owned by local couple Derrick Ladson and Jason Quinones, the shop is known for bringing affordable fashion and rare vintage finds to Southwest Hoboken. Click here for more.
New Mediterranean Restaurant + Bar Opens in Jersey City
Solaz, a new restaurant and bar featuring several golf simulator suites, is now open in Newport at 70 Town Square Place. The owners of the restaurant tell The Hoboken Girl that Solaz is a full-service, modern Mediterranean restaurant with a menu curated by celebrity chef David Burke. Click here for more.
RHONJ‘s Melissa Gorga Sprinkle Cookies Just Debuted in Select New Jersey ShopRites
A Real Housewives of New Jersey moment that lives rent-free in our (Bravo fans) heads is coming full circle. For more than a decade, the sprinkle cookie episode has officially made its way to New Jersey grocery store shelves. Melissa Gorga’s iconic sprinkle cookies, yes, *those* sprinkle cookies are now being sold at select ShopRite locations, turning one of the franchise’s most meme-able feuds into a real-life baked-good success story. Click here for more.
Nana’s Dim Sum + Dumplings and Under Pressure Espresso Bar Coming to Hoboken
Two more businesses will open in Southwestern Hoboken at 38 Jackson Street, in the Southend Lofts building. A coffee bar and a dumpling shop are the latest additions to the property, which already has a grocery store confirmed as a tenant. Click here for more.
O’Kafe Taking Over Former Bourke Street Bakery Space in Jersey City
A Hamilton Park coffee shop is making its way further downtown in Jersey City, while an Australian bakery is closing its doors. Local coffee shop O’Kafe is growing, announcing plans to expand to a second location at 351 Marin Boulevard and serve more of its signature coffee and smiles. The small business will be taking over the space that was home to Bourke Street Bakery (and its sourdough bread) for nearly two years. Click here for more.
The Local Girl is Giving Away $1000 to 10 Local NJ Nonprofits
Giving back is central to everything we do at The Local Girl and our brands. Every day we provide free access to local journalism and support small businesses, amplify nonprofits, and respond to community needs, and we are committed to making New Jersey (+ beyond!) stronger and more connected. This year, The Local Girl Media Group is proud to introduce our largest giving effort yet: a $10,000 initiative that will award ten $1,000 donations to New Jersey nonprofits from our brand. Click here for more.
Hoboken City Council Votes To Temporarily Freeze CLEAR Program
The cameras giving out parking tickets in Hoboken could be going dark for about a month after local business owners complained about the negative impact it’s had on business this holiday season. On December 3rd, the Hoboken City Council voted to temporarily freeze the CLEAR program, the camera-based parking enforcement program, until January 15. Click here for more.
New Restaurant Viv + Jules Soft Opens in Hoboken
Viv + Jules has entered the Hoboken food scene with a soft opening on December 5th. Back in October, The Hoboken Girl received exclusive intel that a new concept called Viv + Jules would be taking over the former Stewed Cow space — and now we just got word that the restaurant and bar is open. With Chef Cliff Crooks at the helm, Viv + Jules is bringing shareable plates, some large-format dishes, and craft cocktails to 400 Adams Street. Click here for more.
Arrest Made in String of November 2025 Hoboken Robberies
An arrest has been made in connection with a string of robberies that took place over the weekend of November 7th + 8th, 2025 in Hoboken. Hoboken Police announced the arrest of a 23-year-old Hoboken resident in connection with the crimes, and thanked the community and local businesses that shared surveillance footage of the suspect. Per a statement shared by the Hoboken Police Department (HPD), Chief Steven Aguiar announced the arrest of 23-year-old Androkle Batistasoriano of Hoboken, for two robberies and two thefts. Click here for more.
NJ Congressman Pushes to Make Porch Piracy a Federal Crime
Porch pirates could be receiving more than coal under the tree during future holiday seasons. A New Jersey Congressman is working to crack down on porch piracy by making it a federal crime, increasing the punishment for thieves across the country. Click here for more.
Overnight Parking to Close at Two Light Rail Stations 1/1/26
2026 will bring changes for parking along some Light Rail stations in New Jersey. NJ Transit announced overnight parking will no longer be allowed starting January 1, 2026 at Hudson-Bergen Light Rail stations. Cars left overnight will be subject to ticketing and towing. Click here for more.
Hoboken to Hold Maritime Park Groundbreaking Ceremony
Mayor Ravi Bhalla and the City of Hoboken invite residents to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for Maritime Park on December 10th at 11AM. Per a Nixle alert, the event will take place at the Maritime Park construction site, located at 901 Sinatra Drive. Due to ongoing construction, community members must travel to the groundbreaking ceremony by walking south along the eastern sidewalk of Sinatra Drive and enter through the southern entrance of the Maritime Park construction site. All attendees must wear closed-toed, flat shoes, and are encouraged to dress warmly. The event will proceed rain or shine. Click here for more information.
Homestead Gateway Tower in Jersey City Secures Financing
A development in Jersey City’s Journal Square neighborhood with a significant affordable housing component has secured financing after years of planning.Per Jersey Digs, JLL Capital Markets announced that it has advised on a roughly $200 million structured capitalization and forward Freddie Mac commitment for Lions Group’s Homestead Gateway development, a 34-story mixed-income residential tower located at 701 Newark Avenue. Early construction has already begun at the site, with a groundbreaking ceremony slated to be held sometime before the end of the year.
Jersey City 8th Graders Organize Guided Tours of Jersey City
The 8th-grade class of Hudson Montessori School has recently launched a community outreach project called “JC Journey”, which teaches people about the city’s rich history through a series of digital guided tours. Click here for more.
City of Hoboken Receives 100% Score for Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI) recently released its 2025 evaluation for LGBTQ+ support in American cities. Hoboken achieved a perfect score, indicating the City’s strong support of the LGBTQ+ community. Click here for more.
Historic Downtown Jersey City Holiday Lighting Happened on 12/1
The Historic Downtown Jersey City’s annual Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting ceremony was rescheduled to Monday, December 1st due to a mix of rain and snow on the forecast for Tuesday, December 2nd, the original date of the celebration. The celebration was held at the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza located at 134-158 Newark Avenue. Click here for more.
The Best of Hoboken + Jersey City 2025 Guide Finalists Announced
The finalists for the Best of Hoboken + Jersey City 2025 Guide are in! Thank you to everyone who nominated local businesses and people in Hoboken + Jersey City to receive the recognition that they deserve. Click here for more.
Jersey City Council Puts Several Ordinances on Hold
The City Council held off on December 2nd from making any final decisions on ordinances impacting Pershing Reservoir #3, the future Albion boutique hotel, and Heights University Hospital. Per the Jersey City Times, the council voted unanimously to table the measures and could revisit them as soon as December 10th.
Christmas Pop-Up Market Comes to Pier 13 in Hoboken
A Christmas pop-up is now at Pier 13 in Hoboken for the holiday season. Located at 1301 Sinatra Drive, local Christmas tree company Pier One Tree is selling Christmas trees, wreaths, and other holiday accessories from November 28th to December 22nd, 2025. During this window, Pier 13 will also serve as a space for Santa visits, community events, and more. Click here for more.
The Hoboken Girl’s 2025 Holiday Shopping Deals Guide
Here at The Hoboken Girl, we’ve put together a holiday shopping guide so our readers can support local businesses in Hoboken and Jersey City, ranging from food + drink to wellness, beauty, health, fitness, fashion, and so much more. Some of the businesses included in our downloadable guide even have an exclusive code, just for HG readers. Click here for more.
Jersey City Council Votes Down Ordinance to Amend Rent Control
The Jersey City Council voted down the second reading of an ordinance to amend the rent control ordinance to include owners with five or more units at the November 25th meeting. Per the Jersey City Times, tt was defeated 3-3(2) with Councilmen Frank Gilmore, Yousef Saleh, and Council President Joyce Watterman voting yes, Councilwoman Maureen Hulings, Councilwoman-at-Large Amy DeGise, and Councilman at-Large Danny River voting no, while Councilwoman Denise Ridley and Councilman Rich Boggiano abstained. Councilman James Solomon was absent.
29-Story Rental Property in Jersey City Nears Completion
Construction is nearing completion on The Greyson, a 29-story rental building at 25 Cottage Street in Jersey City’s Journal Square neighborhood. The Greyson will offer 622 studio to three-bedroom rental homes conveniently located near the Journal Square PATH station. Official leasing is expected to launch in February 2026, with immediate occupancy following. Greystar is handling property management for the building. Click here for more information and to join the priority list.
Hoboken Public Charter Schools Lottery Now Open
Hoboken families are encouraged to apply to enter the lottery for the city’s public charter schools, Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa), Elysian Charter School, and Hoboken Charter School. All three public schools are free, open to all Hoboken residents and do not have any entrance testing requirements. Because demand exceeds available seats, students are randomly selected for entrance to the schools through a lottery system. All three schools offer a weighted preference for Hoboken families who live in public or subsidized housing or receive public benefits. The collective deadline to apply to the three public charter school lotteries ends January 15, 2026 at 5PM.
Hoboken Rededicates AIDS Memorial Ribbon at City Hall on World AIDS Day
The City of Hoboken and the Hoboken Arts Advisory Committee held a rededication ceremony on World AIDS Day for the handcrafted AIDS Memorial Ribbon, honoring Hoboken residents who lost their lives to AIDS and AIDS-related complications. Per a City of Hoboken press release, originally created in 1995 by municipal employees, the memorial has been fully restored, expanded, and permanently returned to its original home on the first floor of City Hall. The revitalized ribbon now commemorates 35 members of the Hoboken community, whose names are inscribed on the memorial. The restoration effort was led by the Hoboken Arts Advisory Committee in partnership with the City’s Division of Cultural Affairs.
