Mystery Lounge Opens Quietly, Weekends Only

This unlabeled bar and lounge opened last weekend on the corner of Newark and 1st Street. According to a little sign on the window, Port-O Lounge is only opened Thursday through Sunday.

Trees Slaughtered for Stone Circle

Back in March, the city cut down a half dozen trees on the corner of Newark and Jersey Avenue. The 18 inch diameter trees weren't sacrificed for nothing; the city is replacing the decades old trees with a circle of Belgian Blocks.

Atomic Wings Taking Baby Steps

The long awaited Atomic Wings on Newark Avenue has removed the paper from the windows, perhaps in anticipation of opening, or maybe just to tease eager residents. Either way there is now furniture-- tables and chairs-- inside, as well as refrigerators for sodas.

Legal Beans Gets New Location

Donwtown cafe Legal Beans will soon have a new location just off Newark Avenue on Division Street. The new store is a bit off the beaten path on the far end west side of the downtown, but for many the trek will be well worth the effort.

City Slaughters Trees

A plaza on the corner of Newark and Jersey Avenues once had five trees that towered over surrounding buildings. The trees were removed last week. Redevelopment: You're doing it wrong.

Atomic Wings

The mythical Atomic Wings on Newark Avenue is slowly becoming a reality.

Long Rumored Atomic Wings Work Continues

For over a year, the Newark Avenue storefront at Bay Street has been more or less partially renovated, but vacant. In the past few weeks though, signs of life have appeared at the seemingly abandoned project with the old building facade ripped down, and the former "Palace Drugs" half removed. New doors have been installed. There is no indication though if Atomic Wings is still the intended tenant.

Third Street Project

This small project that spans the narrow block between Third Street and Newark Avenue has been progressing at a snail's pace. A concrete slab has finally been poured.

First and Jersey Project Rises Rapidly

On the corner of Jersey Avenue and First Street, a small development broke ground this summer and rapidly ascended. There was a small crisis when the wall nearly collapsed -- the wrong type of braces were installed. But since making the necessary repairs, the building has progressed quickly.

The lot was formerly a fenced in, paved over space used only part of the year to sell Christmas trees. It appears the base will contain a retail space, with apartments above. The building only yards from Newark Avneue.

Pink Priscilla

It's a Girl! Or a giant bottle of Pepto-Bismol exploded. Either way, the former Sweet Priscilla cafe that closed earlier this summer, got a paint job.

This super secret spy shot of the interior suggests it will still be a cafe, albeit a very pink cafe.

Small Development Rises on First Street

A new building is sprouting up on Jersey Avenue at First Street. The site broke ground a few weeks ago and is already well onto a third story. The lot was once used for selling Christmas trees. The site is just off Newark Avenue -- the bank of America on Newark Avenue spans the block and is visible on the left in the above photo.



The building does appear to have large open spaces on the ground floor, presumably for retail space.

213 Newark Avenue Pops Above Ground

213 Newark Avenue, a Field's Development Project, has popped up above the ground level. The six story building fills in a major vacant lot on Newark Avenue, and will include retail as well as apartments.

For years, the property sat vacant with a for sale sign. The original five story plan was amended after Field's bought the property.

Last year, union representatives picketed the site.

New Construction on Jersey Avenue

An empty lot where Christmas Trees were once sold has a new foundation. The corner lot at Jersey Avenue and First Street, just off Newark Avenue, has sat empty for years. But the chain link fence will soon be replaced by a new structure as a foundation has already been laid.

HDSID Finding Success

The Historic Downtown Special Improvement District has been making some big improvements lately. The organization launched a summer concert series in the plaza at the corner of Grove Street and Newark Avenue. That concert series concluded yesterday with WJ & the Sweet Sacrifice, above.

The organization has also launched a farmer's market on Mondays in the same location which will run through the beginning of September.

Summer Retail Thriving Downtown

Newport
Morton Williams opened yesterday in the base of the Shore Club in Newport. The high end grocery store is responsible for Newport rescinding the summer farmer's market at the Pavonia PATH station. The waterfront location is the first in New Jersey for the New York chain of premium grocers.

Kim's Video in Newport is rumored to be closing come Sunday, with genuine closeout deals on all the merchandise, up to 50% off. Kim's had been suffering a slow death over the last year.


Kim's Video in Newport


Newark Avenue
Newark Avenue looking a bit more like Paris these days. Cafe tables have sprouted up along the street in the mythical Restaurant Row. Helen's Pizza started the trend, but tables are now outside of Sawadee Thai and bar/lounge/bistro LITM. The roof deck at Skinner's Loft has also opened for the season, though apparently is only for dinner between 7 and 9.

One of the generic Newark Avenue electronics stores is closing shop and moving a block west, to reopen at 184 Newark Avenue. The independent electronic shop is taking over where Helen's Ice Cream stand was, adjacent to Helen's Pizza. The new space is much smaller.

Gas Clothing, an apparel store, recently opened as well. The building received a face lift too with the ugly metal grates having been ripped off the front -- a sure sign that the neighborhood is changing.

Gas, a new clothing store

Grove Street
Rachel, the awful little cafe on the south end of Grove Street that closed last year may soon become a new restaurant promises a sign posted in the window. The new eatery will make use of the outdoor garden and is rumored to be another Thai restaurant.


A new restaurant on Grove Street


A new wine and spirit shop is planned for Grove Street just north of Newark Avenue in the old Crescent Restaurant location, an eatery long since closed.

Crescent on Grove Street is no more

Jersey Avenue
Fish With Braids, a new gallery, opened on Jersey Avenue between Newark Avenue and Columbus Blvd. The space is small. The name, by the way, comes from the fact that the location is between a hair braiding salon and a fish market.


Fish With Braids gallery on Jersey Avenue


Shoe Fetish, a small boutique of featuring ladies shoes, has thrown in the towel and closed up shop. Our take is that the store probably was catering to ladies of the evening when they should have instead been stocking Converse.


Shoe Fetish has failed


Grove Pointe
Valley National Bank is setting up shop in Grove Pointe on the Marin Blvd side of the tower. Along with Starbucks and Duane Reade, Grove Pointe's retail is looking like nearly every street corner in Manhattan.

Ox Impresses NY Times, Us

The New York times ran a review of the Newark Avenue eatery that was nothing less than stellar. Ox opened last year on what is still a rather derelict section of Newark Avenue. The only thing we think the Times got wrong is the desserts. Ox's savory food can't be beat downtown, but for dessert, we recommend sticking to the liquid variety of sweet cocktails.

Rats Infest 213 Newark Avenue

As noted yesterday, union members have erected a giant rat in protest of non-union labor at 213 Newark Avenue, a Fields Development property. Construction equipment was in the lot today while union members and a giant rat looked on.









213 Newark Avenue is a 6 story building that broke ground a few months ago. Excavation and pile driving had been moving at a fairly rapid pace. Over the past weekend, the heavy equipment was removed-- whether this has any relationship to the erection of the union rat is unknown.

Rat Crosses Hudson?

A post on JCList mentions a somewhat famous union rat may have hopped on the PATH for a bit fun in the sixth borough. The work site in question is almost certainly 213 Newark Avenue.

UPDATE: New York rats are black, New Jersey Rats are Yellow

Bits & Briefs

New Bar On Newark Avenue
A post on JCList points to construction permits issued for 284 First Street. The retail space, which essentially faces Newark Avenue, "has a permit in it's retail window for construction of a new bar/restaurant." Good news for local foodies, alcoholics.

Fiber Optics Creeping South
Verizon crews have been scurrying around the Hamilton Park neighborhood recently. Rumor has it they are laying fiber optic cables for FiOS service. Today crews on Jersey Avenue were as far south as 4th Street. Don't cancel your Comcast service just yet, it could be several more months before anyone is even offered a hookup.

Local Sports Teams Seek Registrants
ZogSports NJ, an adult recreation sports league, has opened up registration for spring sports.

Starbucks Redux: Jersey Journal Wakes Up and Smells Coffee

Two weeks ago we mentioned the arrival of a new Starbucks at Grove Pointe. The Jersey Journal reminds us why print media is so last century, reporting today on Starbuck's arrival.

Addicts Rejoice as Starbucks Officially "Coming Soon"

Starbucks officially is "Coming Soon" to the base of Grove Pointe, the luxury residential tower on the corner of Columbus and Newark Avenue. Starbucks has long been rumored to be coming to the base of the tower. This is the second location in Jersey City, excluding Target's in store coffee counter. The Newport Starbucks was temporarily closed last year for renovations.

Bits & Briefs

Newark Ave. Nights
The Village Voice justifies this site by declaring Skinner's Loft "quietly make(s) this city the best little neighborhood in New York."

20 acres of ick to be gold patch
The Journal reports on the cleanup of the site just west of Liberty Harbor North, a chemical infested patch of land on the edge of the downtown that will soon be prepared for housing.

Jersey City to sell Newark Avenue building
Hudson Now confirms that the city plans on selling 121 Newark Avenue, a building that spans the width of the block from Newark Avenue to Columbus Drive just west of Grove Street. The expected $4 million price tag will fill holes in the city's budget; redevelopment of the building may fill some holes in Newark Avenue.

Newark Avenue Fire: The Morning After

Not much is left of 143 Newark Avenue as the fire department worked through the night to flatten the unsafe building. We have pictures of what's left posted here.

UPDATE
Flickr user nosenhodge has more photos of the fire, some from the Columbus Drive side of things; larawaystone has more demolition photos from last night; seanaes also has some impressive photos.

Newark Avenue Burns

Hudson Now reports of a 4 alarm fire on Newark Avenue burning the building at 141 Newark Avenue and two adjacent buildings. Below, the store front of 141 Newark Avenue:



Area residents have posted pictures of the fire on Flickr:
devb.net
larawaystone

UPDATE
Hudson Now is reporting two of the buildings are to be razed by the fire department and traffic on Newark Avenue and westbound lanes of Columbus Drive will be closed for as much as 24 hours.

Newark Ave Prepped for Facelift, Botox

The revitalization of Newark Avenue's downtown business district has been the holy grail of downtown redevelopment. Even long time residents critical of new construction lament the lack of better retail options in the historic business district. The long discussed "restaurant row" zoning was heralded as a major step, and while three new restaurants opened since June of this year, the street still wants for major improvements.

Below: OX is the most recent addition to Newark Avenue's restaurant scene.



However, the tide may finally be turning. "Space for Rent" and going out of businesses signs have recently appeared on numerous storefronts. Normally such signs would suggest a declining business district. However, in this case, its the discount and 99 cent stores that are closing, likely making way for higher paying tenants.

Below: Blue Jeans, a discount clothing store, announces a going out of business sale a former 99 Cent store is now just a super store, with a for rent sign in the window; another store front has been vacated and renovated awaiting a tenant.







So far, the only national retail chains on Newark Avenue are an ever increasing number of banks. Independent specialty boutiques have been sprouting around Grove Street for a number of years; the same sort of stores that made a name for Williamsburg and Park Slope. Newport Mall has long been criticized for robbing the historic businesses districts of customers-- hindering redevelopment rather than helping the revitalization of the city. But Newport as a repository for national chains has allowed the independent retailers the opportunity to flourish.

Anecdotal evidence would suggest the high-rise yuppies and downtown hipster set are bypassing Newport Mall; anchor stores JCPenny, Sears and Kohls would also support this. A healthy shopping district ideally would attract customers beyond local residents; a street lined with independently owned stores would become a destination in and of itself. However, generic national chains would do little to attract outside customers since identical products are offered in the same stores from here to Oshkosh Wisconsin, and beyond.

In September, GlobeSt reported that rents along Newark Avenue have risen steadily, averaging $7,000 for a storefront. The high price will likely drive out the many discount stores currently lining the south side of the street, but could pose a significant obstacle to new businesses as well.

New residential projects in western sections of Newark Avenue promise to add more foot traffic along Newark Avenue's shops as pedestrians head for the PATH at Grove Street. Treetop Development's 213 Newark Avenue will add more retail space and 76 residences just west of Jersey Avenue probably by 2009. Further west on Newark is five story project 272 Newark Avenue and there are two twelve story buildings approved at 380 and 361 Newark Avenue. Additional projects are adding dozens more housing units just off Newark Avenue, like the 54 unit project Crescent Court. This influx of new residents along Newark Avenue is at least 18 months away, but the promise of new customers may prove attractive to businesses looking to get in early.

Bits & Briefs

Arson to Blame
It seems the fire at 77 Hudson Street might in fact have been suspicious.

The big clock by the river
Colgate Clock gets some love from the Jersey City Reporter.

Cook hit 40 bags of Cocaine
If you've been wondering why downtown bar Lucky 7's hasn't been as fun lately, it might have something to do with the fact that they aren't dealing drugs there anymore.

Starbucks Confirmed By Real Deal?

The Real Deal has a piece on Newark Avenue's redevelopment, noting Grove Pointe as an anchor for change. More importantly, the article sort of confirms the long rumored coming of a new Starbucks in the base of the new tower.

The article also notes that Treetop Development is the new owner of 215 Newark Avenue. The property long had an approved project, but was also for sale. Speculation the property had sold was fueled last month when the development group went before the planning board to change the original plans. Renderings of the new building can be seen on Treetop's Website under current projects, listed as 213 Newark Avenue. Treetop is also responsible for 154 Steuben Street, recently branded as Ivy House.

Bits & Briefs

Tastes Like Turkey
The Village Voice crosses the Hudson River to discover Its Greek To Me; dozens of other restaurants consider serving gyros.

Newport Plans On Agenda
Newport is formally seeking final approval for the Ellipse tower and the Lefrak Museum, which is absolutely not going to be called the Lefrak Museum.

Collision stalls Hoboken light rail
A truck ran a red light and struck a light rail train.

Retaurant Row Finally Getting Restaurants

Newark Avenue's restaurant row has long been missing a critical component: the restaurants. Almost two years ago, ordinances were changed to allow restaurants operating on Newark Avenue to serve alcohol much later in the evening with the hope that the change would spur new restaurants to arrive.

While Grove Street at the eastern end of Newark Avenue has a number of restaurants, dinning along Newark Avenue was mostly confined to take-away establishments. Things began changing when last year, local casual dinning chain Its Greek to Me opened a lcation on the corner of Newark and Jersey Avenues. And last summer brought a proliferation of outdoor seating along Grove Street; now every restaurant between the Hard Grove at Columbus Drive heading south to the Majestic lounge at Montgomery Street has sidewalk tables.

Newark Avenue might finally be hitting a turning point though as this spring will bring at least two new restaurant openings. Skinner's Loft, a bar and restaurant is opening a few doors down from the LITM lounge. Skinner's is rumored to be from the former owner of neighborhood bar Hamilton Park Ale House. Meanwhile, Newark Avenue will also have Thai cuisine from a new restaurant, Sawadee. With Newark Avenue finally growing into its designation as a restaurant row, its also facing a critical juncture: world class dinning competitive with Manhattan, or a new fraternity row competitive only with Hoboken. Only time will tell.

BELOW: Skinners Loft is a new restaurant and bar coming to Newark Avenue



BELOW: Sawadee Thai Cuisine will soon be coming to Newark Avenue

30 Unit Proposal for Newark Avenue

Rumors circulating over on JCList suggest that the western end of Newark Avenue might finally be tickled with redevelopment. It seems a 5 story building with underground parking has been proposed for the sites at 292 - 294 Newark Avenue and 334 - 336 & 340 Third Street. Further, the property at 334 - 336 Third Street seems to have been recently sold: the $2.2 Million Listing is "no longer available." The description for that parcel of land includes "Approved Plan to build 12 residential and 2 commercial units... a total of 17,000 sf."

109 Christopher Columbus Drive

A month ago, this small commuter parking lot was filled with cars. And then we saw a piece of heavy equipment parked on the lot and a green privacy fence that usually means some sort of construction. From what we can tell, we're talking about a small mixed use development with shops-- 10,000 square feet-- on the ground floor and 18 apartment units above. Its about time this section of Columbus Drive saw some redevelopment. As usually, large photos are on the photoblog.

Starbucks, Duane Reade: Rumored Arrivals

According to a rumor circulating over on the Kannekt forum, Grove Pointe will soon be home to everyone's favorite Seattle Coffee house and a Duane Reade. An anonymous user writes:

"I went to sales office, they said that Starbucks and Duane Reade have already signed on for retail space"

Of course, the great thing about anonymous users is that they can say whatever they want and don't need any real proof. Not that this stops us from reporting that Starbucks is on its way. On one hand, both Starbucks and Duane Reade would seem to be the perfect fit for a new high rise tower. On the other hand, the sort of people buying into Grove Pointe or leasing Columbus Plaza probably would see both as an amenity they couldn't give up moving out of Manhattan. We wouldn't put it past a sales agent to anonymously report a coming Starbucks to move a unit or two. But that being said, a Grove Pointe Starbucks fits with the other rumors we've heard.

Starbucks Rumors

A tipster tells us a rumor is circulating that Starbucks might be scouting locations on Grove Street or Columbus Drive. The tipster claimed a Newport Starbucks employee had made the claim that two new locations would soon be headed to the downtown area. We all know how untrustworthy baristas can be (like "oh yeah, that's totally a dupio" when clearly its only a single shot of espresso goodness), but we think that about the time New York Magazine declares a place "cool", that's probably about the time Starbucks begins to fully assimilate a neighborhood. A quick search of various job listing sites doesn't seem to turn up any results for more downtown Starbucks positions, but of course assuming a Starbucks was headed for Grove Pointe or Columbus Tower-- both likely corporate coffee chain locations-- those retail spaces are still months away from serving up any black gold.

Park At Grove Street PATH Opens, Sort Of

The long closed "park" at the corner of Christopher Columbus and Grove Street opened today, sort of. The park is quite obviously not finished, and not too obviously a park yet either. The developers of Grove Pointe agreed to rebuild the park while constructing the tower.



Astute observers may be asking themselves what exactly was changed. All the old brick and concrete were replaced with new brick and concrete. The big twist though is instead of squared off corners, the new park features a curved bench like wall. And as for the brick, the park now has red pavers (below) instead of the bluish gray that was once there. The crazy homeless guy who lives in the park was unavailable for comment.



As usual, larger photos here

Bits & Briefs

Planning Board tells developers: Meet with residents
Newport Group's plan to build two structures on the Tenth Street embankment meets opposition.

Music to their ears
A twelve story tower gets approved for lot across from Shoprite.

Rescue Plan for Hospital
New Jersey's oldest hospital is about to be bankrupted.

361 Newark Ave to Triple in Height
Rumors on JCList indicate a stalled construction project could go higher.

Where's the Books?

As promised, there was magic at the opening of Jersey City's first bookstore, the slight of hand that one gets when one hires a professional magician. Unfortunately, there was very little magic coming from the books, that sort of sensation that creeps over you when you see there on the shelf the very book you've spent the last six months searching for, and not only is it there, ready for you to buy, but its been severely discounted. No, there was none of that sort of magic.

Indeed, there were hardly any books at all. We found two shelves of literature-- Dover Thrift editions of the classics and the complete Tom Robbins. Beyond that there was genre fiction and a few books covering specialty topics like Breast Feeding and the benefits of vegetarianism. We're neither a vegetarian nor do we have kids. The other half of the store was filled with assorted gifts-- board games, postcards, bath salts-- the sorts of things tourists pick up on day out to Cape May or New Hope or Williamsburg-- but not really the sorts of things normal people buy at their neighborhood store.

Of course, there are a few occasions we might see ourselves buying another copy of Harry Potter or one of those science oriented board games smart people give to kids thinking that it will make the kids smarter. For birthdays and holidays-- particularly those that we forgot about-- we might very well go down there. But there simply aren't enough books to keep us interested week after week.

There is of course a chance that this was just the first round, the hasty opening before the end of the holiday season. We're hoping in the future there will be used books in more than just the science-fiction genre. Frankly, we're hoping to see some actual books of the new variety too. We'd like to see some magazines and literary journals and art zines-- the sort of timely material that makes us want to show up more than once every six months.

In short, the Imagine Atrium is a store that sells books, not a bookstore. Perhaps our expectations were too high. We weren't expecting The Strand, but we were expecting some books. We won't be giving up on the place just yet though. There is room to grow, room for books, and we'll be back, if for no other reason then to check in on their progress.

Newark Avenue Needs Plan, Money

The name Newark doesn't exactly conjure up images of a pretty, downtown main street. Newark Avenue, much like its namesake city, is in need of a facelift. The city of Newark might have Cory Booker, but the Avenue has Steven Fulop. The Ward E councilman has a plan to clean up the former retail center of the downtown with new sidewalks, streetscape accessories, and fancy old lights.

Yet, the effort might need more than a few benches and trash cans -- though that would be a nice place to start. Take for example the empty lot at 209 Newark Avenue. You may not have heard of it, but you've probably seen it. Just west of Jersey Avenue, the site has been approved for apartments. But the current owner it seems has more interest in selling the land than actually building anything. And for a cool $6.3 million, you could be a part of redevelopment efforts. A few facts for you, just in case you have more money than we do:

209 - 217 Neawrk Ave
Lot Size: 95,000 SF
Price: $6,300,000
Price/Acre: $2,888,715.67

Anyway, the point is that at the moment, a block long empty lot is doing little to clean up the last downtown frontier. The other empty store fronts aren't much of a help either. Considering there is only one restaurant in restaurant row, we think Newark Avenue needs a little more than pretty benches and cobblestone pavers. But that's just us.

Opening Tonight

The Basement, a new bar in Hoboken with 75 Martinis opening their doors tonight. Hobokn411 has a full write up.

Imagine Atrium, the new independent bookstore in Jersey City is ready to open tonight at 7pm with "Music, Merriment, & Magic!" The only magic we want to see is a shelf of books for less than the cover price.

Bits & Briefs

Renovations of the A&P are well under way, bringing this store up to par with its suburban counterparts, and easily making it the best in the downtown area.

Imagine Atrium, the bookstore set to open on Friday at 7pm, may yet be a let down. Peeking through a hole in the window covering newspaper revealed that at least the first third of the store will not, it appears, actually have books. It did appear though that most of the rear of the store was indeed lined with bookshelves.

The Van Vorst Park Dog Run was having fencing isntalled last night, meaning we assume, that the dog run itself is nearing completion.

Jersey Avenue Shopping Map

Just in time for your weekend shopping needs, we present to you the Jersey Avenue Shopping Guide. We've included the shops and restaurants between Newark Ave and Grand Street and conviently categorized them for you. And in case you missed it, check out the Grove Street Guide we put together earlier in the week.