The Hoboken Girl Team 
It’s the last week of HG news for the year, and the headlines have kept us on our toes as usual. Among the headlines: a new kids’ playspace called Krayon Park will open soon in Jersey City; changes are coming to the TAPP Card for PATH riders; and New Jersey lawmakers propose tax breaks to support diners. Keep reading for all the news in Hoboken + Jersey City for the week ending on December 21st, 2025.
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Among the Headlines (read on for the full stories + more):
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- The Hoboken Girl Announces 2026 Women to Watch
- Jersey City Firefighters Rescue and Revive Dogs Trapped in House Fire
- Yes, a Hilton Hotel is Still Coming to Hoboken; New Tax Credit Issued
- Winter Beautification Program Begins in the Heights
- Hoboken Agrees to Expand Affordable Housing Access in Discrimination Settlement
- Liberty Prime Steakhouse Announces Closure in Jersey City
- TAPP Card Launches for PATH as MetroCard and SmartLink Phased Out
- New Jersey Lawmakers Propose Tax Breaks to Save New Jersey Diners
- Long-Planned Urby Phase Two Project Advances in Downtown Jersey City
- Inside Krayon Park, Jersey City’s New Indoor Gym + Playspace for Kids
- Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla Vetoes Vote to Freeze CLEAR Program
- Best of Jersey City 2025: Winners ANNOUNCED!
- Best of Hoboken 2025: Winners ANNOUNCED!
- Whole Foods Daily Market in Hoboken Opened December 18th
26 Hoboken + Jersey City Women to Watch in 2026
The women of Hoboken and Jersey City continue to amaze us every year, and with 2026 bringing a fresh start, we at The Hoboken Girl wanted to highlight some of the area’s extra-special locals — as we’ve done for many years. From entrepreneurs to leaders of change, these women are beloved members of our community and are doing big things in 2026. Read on for our list of 26 Hoboken + Jersey City women to watch in 2026.
Jersey City Firefighters Rescue and Revive Dogs Trapped in House Fire
Jersey City firefighters responded to a working fire on Fremont Street, where multiple family dogs were trapped inside a smoke-filled home, and some were found unconscious. Per TapInto Jersey City, crews not only rescued the animals but also performed CPR and provided oxygen to successfully resuscitate them, and all appear to be recovering. One resident was taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation treatment
Hoboken Agrees to Expand Affordable Housing Access in Discrimination Settlement
Hoboken has agreed to amend its affordable housing ordinance to expand access after a state investigation found its city-only residency preference may have disproportionately excluded applicants from surrounding, more diverse communities, potentially violating anti-discrimination law. Under the settlement with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, the city will revert to a regional residency preference, provide relief to affected applicants, and invest additional funds in affordability and fair-housing efforts. The changes aim to improve equitable access to affordable housing and resolve complaints that the previous policy had discriminatory impacts, according to the Hudson County View.
TAPP Card Launches for PATH as MetroCard and SmartLink Phased Out
The classic yellow MetroCards will soon be a thing of the past for PATH commuters. In an effort to make commuting more accessible, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) launched a new payment card and vending machine system. Riders will be able to instantly reload the TAPP card and still tap and go when commuting on the PATH. MetroCards and SmartLink cards will be phased out later in 2026. Click here for more.
Liberty Prime Steakhouse Announces Closure in Jersey City
Liberty Prime Steakhouse has announced that it will be closing its doors after 15 years of business. The popular venue is located at 111 Montgomery Street in Jersey City. The restaurant announced its closure on social media, noting that operations will continue through the end of December. Click here for more.
New Jersey Lawmakers Propose Tax Breaks to Save New Jersey Diners
As The Local Girl has been watching closely, New Jersey diners have been increasingly closing their doors in recent years. The state’s iconic pre-fab restaurants were once a staple, but have begun limiting hours, menus, or closing down altogether. Earlier this month, New Jersey state lawmakers proposed a bill, the “Saving Our Diners and Protecting Our Past Act,” which would grant tax breaks for diners and other long-running restaurants in the state. Click here for more.
Long-Planned Urby Phase Two Project Advances in Downtown Jersey City
After years of planning and approval, the long-awaited second phase of the Urby development at 200 Greene Street in Jersey City is finally moving forward, with the surface parking lot closed and early site work beginning. According to Jersey Digs, the project, approved in 2024, calls for two 69-story towers with about 1,510 units, retail space, and amenities like a new pedestrian walkway and park space, though no affordable housing is included. The development’s first tower was recently rebranded as Sable following its sale, and the new phase is expected to reshape the waterfront skyline.
Inside Krayon Park, Jersey City’s New Indoor Gym + Playspace for Kids
A local Jersey City family is opening a new play space for children dedicated to screen-free play. Krayon Park on the second floor at 206 Van Vorst Street will be a dedicated playspace with multi-level climbing structures, ball pits, slides, obstacle courses, and plenty of special areas for imaginative play. Their grand opening is January 11th, 2026, but The Hoboken Girl got a sneak peek at the child-friendly playspace in Paulus Hook. Click here for more.
Yes, a Hilton Hotel is Still Coming to Hoboken; New Tax Credit Issued
After years of delays, the Hilton Hotel project slated for the Hoboken waterfront is inching towards a start. The plan for the hotel was announced in 2018, but years of litigation, project negotiations, COVID, and work with the City slowed progress. The proposed 20-story hotel will include ground-floor retail space, a lobby-level restaurant and bar, meeting and event spaces, and a rooftop bar and terrace. In November 2025, the project was awarded tax credits under a statewide program, which helped the project clear a financial hurdle. Click here for more.
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla Vetoes Vote to Freeze CLEAR Program
A vote from the Hoboken City Council to temporarily freeze the CLEAR program will no longer take effect after outgoing Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla voted down the decision. On December 3, the Hoboken City Council voted to temporarily freeze the CLEAR program, the camera-based parking enforcement program, until January 15. Per Hudson County View, Mayor Bhalla vetoed the freeze on Friday, December 12th. Click here for more.
Best of Jersey City 2025: Winners ANNOUNCED!
The results are in! We at HG have an announcement to make — we now have the winners for the Best of Jersey City 2025 Awards. After weeks of our readers voting and local businesses working hard for your support, we have finally closed the polls and have tallied the votes to see who has won the title — and, of course, the bragging rights — of being the “best” in town. Click here for all the winners.
Best of Hoboken 2025: Winners ANNOUNCED!
Hear ye, hear ye! We at HG have an announcement to make — we now have the winners for the Best of Hoboken 2025 Awards. After weeks of our readers voting and local businesses working hard for your support, we have finally closed the polls and have tallied the votes to see who has won the title — and of course the bragging rights — of being the “best” in town. Click here for all the winners.
Hoboken Announces Winter 2026 Youth Art and Cultural Programs
Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla and the Division of Cultural Affairs announced a series of winter art and cultural programs for children, teens, and young adults beginning January 2026, covering activities like visual art, dance, theater, sewing and design, and music lessons. Per a press release, registration opens on December 17 via RecDesk, with limited spots available and free registration for families on free/reduced lunch. The offerings aim to nurture creativity, community connection, and artistic expression during the winter months.
Jersey City Restaurant Perquín is Back and Better Than Ever
Last fall, Jersey City resident and talented Chef Bryan Girón opened Perquín, a Honduran restaurant that instantly impressed locals and became a go-to for Taco Tuesdays, flavorful cocktails, and some of the freshest seafood dishes around. After Perquín’s first fun-filled summer, the team got news that its building was going up for sale to make way for a new development, forcing the restaurant to close on short notice in September of 2025. Less than a month later, Perquín was able to reopen its doors at 84 ½ Morris Street in Jersey City, just across the street from its old location, with a new spin on the classics first introduced at Perquín, now with a more convenient grab-and-go style for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Read on to learn more about Perquín’s story and everything its new space has to offer.
Whole Foods Daily Market in Hoboken Opens December 18th
The Whole Foods Daily Market opened at 101 Washington Street in Hoboken on December 18th. It was formerly home to a Walgreens. Plans for the Daily Market were finalized in spring 2025, and residents have been eagerly monitoring the progress of the space. Click here for more.
Murphy Attends Groundbreaking for 1888 Studios in Bayonne
Outgoing Governor Phil Murphy and local leaders attended the long-anticipated groundbreaking for 1888 Studios, a major film and television production campus at the former Texaco site in Bayonne that aims to become a world-class media hub, per a press release from the Governor’s office. The project, backed by a 10-year lease with Paramount and state tax incentives, is expected to bring over a billion dollars in investment, thousands of union jobs, and a transformative boost to the local economy and entertainment industry. Officials highlighted Bayonne’s evolving role as a creative center and emphasized the studio’s future impact on jobs, redevelopment, and New Jersey’s place in film production.
Signage Up at Hoboken’s Incoming Wine Bar, With Love, Valentina, in
Former Northern Soul Location
A new wine bar called With Love, Valentina, from the team behind Wise Vision, is set to take over the space that was formerly home to Northern Soul at 700 1st Street in Hoboken. The HG team first learned of this incoming business in the summer of 2025, and signage just went up as of December 2025. Read on for more.
Menendez Announces $1.25M Federal Grant to Support Mental Health
Services in Jersey City Schools
HUGE NEWS for @JerseyCity schools: Our office is excited to announce over $1.2 million in funding for @jcps_district’s Project STARR to train more school psychologists and expand mental health services for students.
This funding means more support in schools and better care… pic.twitter.com/wQyjjGkUk6
— Rep. Rob Menendez (@RepMenendez) December 17, 2025
Congressman Rob Menendez announced that Jersey City Public Schools will receive a $1,249,501 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education to fund Project STARR, a program focused on training school psychology graduate trainees and expanding school-based mental health services. The funding, part of the department’s Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Program, aims to increase the number of qualified mental health professionals serving students, per a press release from the Representative’s office. Local school leaders and Menendez emphasized the grant as a critical investment in student well-being and support services.
NJEDA and CoreWeave Announce $20M AI Hub Fund to Boost Startups in New Jersey
Governor Phil Murphy announced that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and CoreWeave, along with other investors, are launching a $20 million investment fund to support startups associated with the NJ AI Hub Strategic Innovation Center in New Jersey. Per a press release, the fund will help entrepreneurs access capital, overcome growth challenges, and accelerate business scaling, strengthening New Jersey’s position as a national leader in artificial intelligence innovation. The initiative also includes partnerships with Plug and Play, which will run accelerator programs and an AI Challenge to connect founders with investors, mentors, and commercialization opportunities.
Central Avenue SID Launches Winter Plants Beautification Program in The Heights
The Central Avenue Special Improvement District (CASID) has launched its Winter Plants Beautification Program, running from December 2025 through February 2026, building on the success of its fall pilot initiative, according to a press release. Supported by LAP and UEZ grants, the program brings holiday plant installations to 122 tree beds along Central Avenue, enhancing the corridor’s winter appearance, encouraging community pride, and helping deter illegal dumping in frequently impacted areas.
Jersey City Awarded $24,000 Grant to Launch Comprehensive Age-Friendly Needs Assessment
Jersey City’s Department of Health & Human Services Division of Senior Affairs has received a $24,000 grant from the New Jersey Age-Friendly Program to conduct the city’s most comprehensive needs assessment focused on older adults. Through partnerships with local organizations, the initiative will engage seniors across neighborhoods using multilingual surveys, listening sessions, and focus groups to better understand challenges related to housing, transportation, healthcare access, and social connection. The findings will inform Jersey City’s first Age-Friendly Action Plan, guiding long-term strategies to improve quality of life and ensure older adults are heard, valued, and supported.
Hoboken Approves North End Redevelopment Agreements, Paving the Way for Housing, Open Space, and Safer Streets
Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla and the City of Hoboken have adopted four Redevelopment Agreements for the North End Rehabilitation Area, advancing a long-planned transformation of former blighted sites into a mixed-use neighborhood. According to a press release, the projects will deliver 729 homes (including 73 affordable units), more than 48,000 square feet of public open space, protected bike lanes, ground-floor retail, and Hoboken’s first new municipal parking garage since 2003. Together, the redevelopment emphasizes public-private partnership, sustainability, and community benefits, including improved mobility, waterfront connections, and a $4 million community benefit payment to the City.
Don Goyo Tacos Mexicanos Opens on Palisade Avenue
Don Goyo Tacos Mexicanos, a new Mexican restaurant at 601 Palisade Avenue in Jersey City, hosted its grand opening on Saturday, December 20th. This soon-to-be foodie spot is the newest business venture from the team behind the JC taco stand, Taquitos Mexicanos. Read on for what to know about Don Goyo Tacos Mexicanos, coming to the Heights neighborhood in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Hoboken Charter School Awarded Phone-Free Schools Grant to Boost Focus and Learning
Hoboken Charter School has been awarded a state Phone-Free Schools Grant to support its implementation of a Bell-to-Bell phone-free initiative, aimed at minimizing student distractions and enhancing focus during the school day. Per TapInto Hoboken, the funding, part of the New Jersey Department of Education’s new grant program, helps schools purchase secure storage solutions for student devices and train staff on consistent phone-policy procedures. By accepting the grant, the school will formalize a comprehensive phone-free policy that keeps devices stored from arrival to dismissal, improving learning environments and supporting equitable enforcement.
New Mediterranean Restaurant, IKOS, Opens in Downtown Jersey City
One of the most important questions when planning a night out is deciding what the vibe will be for you and your crew. Now, a Mediterranean restaurant in Jersey City is bringing interesting food and drinks and curating a vibey experience. IKOS at 190 Steuben Street is one of Downtown Jersey City’s newest restaurants that opened in December of 2025. Click here for more.
Philly-Based Chain City Fitness Opening 2 Hoboken Locations
Two new gyms owned by City Fitness, a Philadelphia-based company, will open in Hoboken in 2026. Details are scarce, but a source close to the project confirmed that the gym will take two spaces, one each in downtown and uptown Hoboken. Read on for more about City Fitness coming to Hoboken.
