Health + Wellness - Hoboken Girl

Ice-T’s Dispensary ‘The Medicine Woman’ Closes in Jersey City

The Hoboken Girl Team — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 20:00:43 +0000

Cannabis dispensaries in New Jersey have been at the forefront of discussions since the legalization of marijuana in 2022. Many eager entrepreneurs are looking to get involved in the ever-growing cannabis industry — and among them is a New Jersey-based celebrity who just opened a dispensary here in Hudson County. Rapper and actor Ice-T has teamed up with The Medicine Woman co-owner, Charis Burrett, to open a cannabis dispensary in Jersey City in March 2025. As of January 6th, 2025, the dispensary has closed. Read on for what we know about Ice-T’s Jersey City-based dispensary, The Medicine Woman.

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About The Medicine Woman

The Medicine Woman was founded by Charis Burrett and her husband, Luke Burrett, back in 2019. It initially began as a California-based non-profit, where it delivered over 300 products to its patients, according to the website.

“Our mission at The Medicine Woman is to provide a full-spectrum of global plant medicines to benefit the health and wellness of our local communities,” the website reads. “We have now expanded to offer more than 1,000 products, have launched our own multi-collection private label product line, and are currently in the development phase of launching our 2nd brick and mortar location.” The second brick-and-mortar location is the recently opened Jersey City spot — and the first is located in Bellflower, California.

The Jersey City Dispensary

Ice-T, also known as Tracy Lauren Marrow, has been in the public eye for decades now. He is known for being a rapper and, more recently, an actor, portraying Fin on Law & Order: SVU. Ice-T and Charis have been close friends for a long time, per Forbes. The collaboration makes a lot of sense; Charis is an expert in cannabis, while Ice-T is deeply familiar with the cannabis industry’s historically disproportionate impact on minority populations. Plus, Ice-T is also well-acquainted with New Jersey. He was born in Newark, grew up in Summit, and currently lives in Edgewater, New Jersey.

“I’ve dedicated my life and career to giving back and paving the way for minorities,” Ice-T previously said in a statement. “As a New Jersey native, I’m excited for the opportunity legalization offers our community, and I look forward to ushering in a new era for cannabis in the state.”

On July 25th, 2022, Jersey City’s Cannabis Control Board approved four Class 5 cannabis applicants — including The Medicine Woman. The other applicants were MedUSA NJ, LLC; Oceanfront Holdings LLC; and The Other Side Dispensary LLC, per TapInto. The Jersey City Cannabis Control Board is in charge of creating and enforcing all things cannabis. All local dispensaries must receive its approval.

The Medicine Woman, which was hoping for a fall 2022 opening, is said to have 5,000-square-feet of retail space, and sells merchandise as well as New Jersey cannabis brands. According to TapInto in 2022, The Medicine Woman had already partnered with some local non-profits, including The Last Prisoner Project, Jersey City Employment and Training Program, Jersey City Mural and Arts Program, and Hudson County Community College.

Updates as of January 2024

In January 2024, The Medicine Woman was “approved by the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) Wednesday,” January 17th, to sell recreational marijuana, per NJ.com. In a statement to NJ.com following the approval, Ice-T’s partner Charis said, “We could not be more ecstatic… We are so thankful to Jersey City and everyone involved that has helped us to get to this point.”

At the time, the duo planned to open The Medicine Woman at 660-684 Tonnelle Avenue in the spring or summer of 2024.

See More: New Cannabis Dispensary Nightjar is Open in Bloomfield

Updates as of March 2025

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The Medicine Woman is now in its soft opening stages in Jersey City as of Thursday, March 27th, 2025, per an Instagram post from the team. The grand opening celebration will be held on the weekend of April 19th and 20th.

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January 2026 Closure

An HG reader flagged that the dispensary may have closed over the New Year. As of January 6th, 2026, the Jersey City location of the Medicine Woman has disappeared from the company’s website. The Google listing for the business shows it as ‘permanently closed.’ The Hoboken Girl has reached out to the business for more information and will update this piece when we hear back.

Follow @thehobokengirl on Instagram + TikTok for the latest Hoboken and Jersey City updates, sign up for our weekly newsletter here that shares everything you missed each week, and check out our events calendar, which has over 100+ events weekly to peruse.

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Local Barre to Relocate to Downtown Hoboken, Taking Over Physique 57

Kerrie Joyce — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 19:42:58 +0000

Longtime fitness studio Local Barre has confirmed it will be relocating from its West Hoboken location in the Monroe Center to downtown. The barre-fitness studio and multi-purpose space located within the Monroe Center at 720 Monroe Street, Suite C300 has been operating there for the past few years exclusively. The studio’s owner shared directly with The Hoboken Girl team that it will be relocating downtown to 104 Hudson Street, which is currently occupied by another barre studio, Physique 57 — which LB is taking over. Read on to learn more about Local Barre, Physique 57, and the upcoming Hoboken move.

The Relocation

Local Barre owners have confirmed with HG that the business as it currently stands will be leaving its location within the Monroe Center and moving into the Physique 57 space. Several readers reached out with information regarding the closure, noting Physique 57 had broken the news to them via their own channels.

The Hoboken Girl team reached out to Local Barre’s owners, Jen and Joe DeMarco, who shared, “This all happened very fast, during the holidays!” The Local Barre team anticipates a February 1st, 2026 opening.

About Physique 57

Physique 57 opened in bringing another barre studio to the Mile Square in January of 2023. The Physique 57 brand was founded by Tanya Becker and Jennifer Maanavi in 2005. Being the first barre-based fitness class to pop up in NYC, the team ran with the idea and jump-started a global business. Over the years, the duo has opened numerous studios all over the world, from Dubai to the newly opened location in Hoboken. Sadly, the Hoboken location is closing its doors and being acquired by Local Barre’s owners.

“In terms of instructor quality, class intensity, music, and results, I found the Physique 57 method to be the most effective and fun, ” Lily shared with The Hoboken Girl when the new studio opened at the time. “When the company started franchising, I saw the perfect opportunity to bring this wonderful workout to Hoboken, where I hope many others will share my passion.”

Physique 57 has closed several physical studio locations throughout the country over the last few years, particularly after pivoting during the pandemic to focus more on online content, with specific locations like Carmel, Indiana, and Philadelphia closing in early 2024 and early 2025 respectively, though they still offer extensive on-demand and online classes through their website. As a member, you can still access their workouts through their website. The Hoboken location will have its last classes on January 18th, 2026.

Local Barre’s Legacy

Local Barre first moved to Hoboken in 2010 with its initial location at 1180 Maxwell Place, which later closed during the pandemic, and its West Hoboken location became its flagship at the Monroe Center. A few years back, it launched its co-working space, complete with mini barre and childcare options. Owner Jen DeMarco shared that the downtown location would no longer have mini barre or daycare, but all other aspects of their fitness classes would be in tact, with some fun 2026 twists. It joins a ton of other local fitness businesses downtown, including DRIP, Prime Cycle, Crunch, Barry’s, YogaRenew, Urban Souls, and more.

Plus, Something New Coming Soon…

The owners of Local Barre said not to fret if you’re a frequenter of their Monroe Center location; something exciting (and different) is likely coming to the OG Monroe Center space. They hinted it would be a unique, warmer (wink wink) addition to the fitness scene when announced. While it is not public yet what is next for the space in the Monroe Center, our team will be following closely and will share once we have confirmation!

Health+Wellness

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All About Harborside Sport + Spine, a Holistic Wellness Clinic in Jersey City

The Hoboken Girl Team — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 14:00:16 +0000

This article is sponsored by Harborside Sport + Spine.

Between long workdays and packed weekend calendars, prioritizing health can easily slip down the to-do list. For Hudson County locals seeking a proactive, natural approach to wellness, Harborside Sport + Spine in downtown Jersey City provides personalized, whole-body care focused on long-term health without relying on medication or surgery. Located at 75 Montgomery Street, Suite 603, this modern wellness practice emphasizes restoring balance, improving movement, and supporting overall well-being through evidence-based, holistic treatments — making it a go-to destination for comprehensive chiropractic care, physical therapy, and integrative wellness services in Jersey City. Read on to learn more about this all-in-one wellness hub in downtown Jersey City.

A Whole-Body Approach to Wellness

At the core of Harborside Sport + Spine is a mission centered on empowering individuals to take an active role in their health through care that supports the physical, mental, and emotional body. Rather than relying on quick fixes, the team prioritizes prevention, education, and sustainable wellness through customized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs.

The practice specializes in hands-on, personalized care that supports the body’s natural ability to heal and function—without immediately turning to medication or invasive procedures. This approach resonates with those seeking long-term solutions for pain management, mobility challenges, and overall wellness optimization.

Services Offered at Harborside Sport + Spine

As a comprehensive wellness hub, Harborside Sport + Spine provides a range of services that can be thoughtfully combined to meet individual needs, including:

Chiropractic Care to restore alignment, improve movement, and relieve pain
Physical Therapy focuses on strengthening, rehabilitation, and injury prevention
Massage Therapy to reduce tension, improve circulation, and support recovery
Acupuncture for pain relief, stress reduction, and overall balance
Spinal Decompression to relieve pressure and support spinal health
Regenerative Medicine designed to promote healing at the cellular level

Personalized Care Without the Wait

Efficiency and respect for patients’ time are central to the Harborside Sport + Spine experience. The team takes pride in seeing patients within 10 minutes of their scheduled appointment, making it easier for busy professionals and families to prioritize wellness without disrupting the rest of the day.

This emphasis on timeliness, paired with a welcoming and knowledgeable staff, creates a seamless and supportive experience from start to finish.

What Sets Harborside Sport + Spine Apart

Harborside Sport + Spine stands out for its drug-free, non-surgical philosophy paired with a collaborative, patient-first approach. With multiple services available under one roof, patients can receive comprehensive care without traveling between offices — an important benefit for those managing chronic pain or recovering from injuries.

An emphasis on education and long-term wellness ensures that patients leave not only feeling better, but also better equipped to maintain their health moving forward.

Visit Harborside Sport & Spine

Harborside Sport + Spine is located at 75 Montgomery Street, Suite 603, in downtown Jersey City. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit harborsidespine.com and follow along on social media:

Instagram: @harborside_spine
Facebook: Harborside Sport & Spine
Twitter/X: @HarborsideSpine

From injury recovery to preventative care, Harborside Sport + Spine brings a holistic, efficient, and personalized approach to wellness to the heart of Hudson County.

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Where to Take A Heated Fitness Class in Hoboken

Emily Gretta — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 12:00:28 +0000

Heated workout classes seem to be all the rave these days, with more and more fitness studios starting to offer them. And since winter temps are just around the corner, there’s no better way to warm up from the inside out. If you think you can take the heat, read on to discover where you can take heated yoga, Pilates, and sculpt classes in Hoboken.

About Heated Workouts + The Benefits

Some of the benefits of taking a heated class versus a non-heated class are improved flexibility, enhanced detoxification, increased caloric burn, improved circulation, and joint & muscle relief. Many studios use what’s called infrared heat, which is a type of radiant heat that warms your body directly, similar to how sunlight warms your skin. This is different from traditional heated air, which just increases the room temperature. Although the benefits are great, heated classes aren’t for everyone. Class-goers should consider that dehydration, overheating, and dizziness are risks. Be sure to hydrate before, after, and during your workout, and to listen to your body.

Asana Soul Practice | 411 Jefferson St

Asana Soul Practice is a mindful yoga practice with two locations. The heated Yin Yoga classes are ideal for those looking for recovery. The 80 degree room aids in releasing tension and stress through deep stretching and movements. Asana Soul Practice also offers flow classes, strength “sculpting”, somatic movement + sound classes, and more. Asana Soul Practice offers workouts that strengthen and engage the body and the mind.

Elevate Pilates | 1414 Grand Street, Suite 201 & 300 Clinton Street

Elevate Pilates is a modern, super aesthetic reformer Pilates studio that now has two locations – one uptown and one downtown. The downtown location offers reformer, mat, and heated mat classes, while the uptown location offers solely reformer classes. The heated mat classes offered at the downtown location are Form + Fire and Pilates Fusion, both using infrared heat. Form + Fire is a fast-paced and Pilates-inspired class with alignment-driven sequences that target your core, glutes, and upper body. Pilates Fusion is a slower, lower-impact class that blends classical Pilates principles with contemporary movement, where you will build strength, balance, and mobility.

Ken Pilates | 706 Washington Street

Ken Pilates is a Black, LGBTQ+, and Latinx-owned Pilates studio in midtown Hoboken. It specializes in using a springboard method, as compared to the traditional reformer or mat Pilates format. The studio offers two heated classes: Hot Mat Sculpt and HotSprings. Hot Mat Sculpt combines Pilates-inspired movements, core-focused exercises, and dynamic sculpting sequences to tone, lengthen, and strengthen your entire body. HotSprings is a heated version of the classic SpringSculpt class format; it combines resistance-based strength and toning with the sweat-inducing, flexibility-boosting effects of hot Pilates.

Prime Cycle & Body | 86 River Street

Woman-owned Prime Cycle & Body continues to grow as it has added a variety of amazing classes to the schedule. There are now four studios at the River Street location, including cycle, reformer, body, and heated sculpt, so there really is something for everybody. At the end of 2024, Prime added a sculpt studio with infrared heat, which now hosts heated sculpt, Pilates, and yoga classes.

Fast Burn Sculpt is a high-energy class that blends sculpting exercises with bursts of cardio, using light weights, resistance bands, and bodyweight moves, while Slow Burn Sculpt is a slower-paced, Pilates-inspired class designed to tone and engage your muscles while emphasizing core connection. Prime also offers Pilates Sculpt, a contemporary mat-based Pilates class, and Yoga Burn, a dynamic vinyasa-style class. The temperature of the room ranges from 80 to 100 degrees, depending on the class.

Real Hot Yoga | 1414 Grand Street, Suite 2C

Real Hot Yoga has locations throughout the US, with one of those being in uptown Hoboken. The yoga room features a heating system specifically for hot yoga, with precise temperature and humidity control, and a UV air filtration system, which removes 99% of germs, bacteria, and viruses from the air. All classes offered at Real Hot are heated, which means many choices. Some classes offer more of a workout, like Hot Power Yoga, Hot Tone & Sculpt Yoga, Hot Mat Pilates, and Hot Core Flow, and classes that are much more relaxing, like Hot Yin Yoga and Hot Candlelit Vinyasa Flow yoga.

Surya Yoga | 618 Washington Street

Surya Yoga is an unassuming yoga studio located in the heart of Hoboken, offering a variety of high-quality hot (and warm) yoga classes from different lineages like Bikram, Jivamukti, Dharma Mittra, Yin, and others. Surya features classic hot yoga classes like Hot Flow, Hot Flow – Express, Warm Yin, Hot Candlelit Flow, along with more sculpting and toning classes like Hot Pilates Fusion, Hot26 + Pilates Fusion, Hot Flow + Sculpt. The studio highly recommends prior yoga experience for some classes, like Hot Flow and Hot Flow – Express. The rest of the classes are open to all levels.

See More: 9 Spots to Take Pilates Classes in Montclair + Essex County

Health+Wellness

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Philly-Based Chain City Fitness Opening 2 Hoboken Locations

The Hoboken Girl Team — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:10:56 +0000

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.

What We Know

City Fitness will open at 1000 Maxwell Street in uptown Hoboken and at 38 Jackson Street in downtown Hoboken. These are the first New Jersey locations of the chain, which has eight Philadelphia locations. The 38 Jackson Street location is part of the Southend Lofts building, a new multi-use building that will also have a grocery store, a coffee shop, and a dumpling shop on the ground floor.

Each space will be 25,000 square feet. The boutique-style studios are known for their cutting-edge equipment and luxurious recovery options such as saunas, massage services, and steam rooms. The facilities have group workout options plus free weights and cardio equipment. There is also a functional training area in each gym, with open space, and a juice bar in many locations.

The Hoboken Girl team has reached out to City Fitness for comment. They shared, “City Fitness can confirm plans to expand into Hoboken with two future locations at 1000 Maxwell Lane and 38 Jackson Street. We’re excited to bring City Fitness to a new community and to officially expand into New Jersey. We look forward to sharing more details in early January.”

See More: The Best Saunas in Bergen County

News

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This New Jersey Fertility Practice is a Go-to for Growing Families

The Hoboken Girl Team — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 18:04:52 +0000

This article is sponsored by Reproductive Medicine Associates.

The end of the year often means planning for the future, and for many, that includes the possibility of growing a family. Some may be considering fertility treatment for the first time, while others may be considering preserving their future fertility. No matter where you are in the process, Reproductive Medicine Associates (RMA), located at 100 Town Square Place, 6th Floor, Suite 610 in Jersey City, is there to help guide you with a personalized, science-backed plan. Thanks to its world-class, state-of-the-art embryology labs, RMA is known for having some of the highest IVF success rates in the country.

Drs. Bat-Sheva Maslow and Susan Treiser understand everyone’s journey to parenthood is different, and tailor care plans to meet your individual needs. With compassionate support and proven success, the entire Jersey City care team is dedicated to helping you build your family with confidence.

RMA Jersey City prides itself on treating the whole patient, offering complementary services such as acupuncture, emotional support services, and diet and nutritional counseling. Read on to learn more about RMA, a New Jersey fertility practice helping grow families throughout the state.

About RMA

Reproductive Medicine Associates is a fertility center founded on advanced science and compassionate care. RMA has been a pioneer in fertility since 1999, with an unwavering commitment to improving patient outcomes. The team provides evidence-based treatment plans designed to meet patients wherever they are on their fertility journey.

Through leading-edge technology and individualized guidance, RMA works to give each patient the strongest possible chance of success.

Services

RMA has a full suite of fertility treatments, beginning with comprehensive diagnostic testing. These evaluations help identify potential causes of infertility so that the medical team can create a customized treatment path. During the initial consultation, a physician reviews your medical history, orders diagnostic testing, and discusses possible next steps based on your unique situation.

The clinic provides a range of treatment options, including:

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Utilizing the latest advancements in reproductive science for optimal outcomes.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): A non-surgical, effective option that can support many family-building plans.
Egg Freezing: A safe, reliable option for those who want to preserve fertility for the future.

Additional services include third-party reproduction, ovulation induction, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), fertility bloodwork, ultrasound, hysterosalpingogram (HSG), saline sonogram, and LGBTQ+ family-building support.

^ Dr. Bat-Sheva Maslow

IVF Success Rates

RMA’s success is backed by advanced embryology labs, experienced reproductive endocrinologists, and highly individualized treatment plans.

The clinic reports outcomes through trusted sources like SART and the CDC. Current statistics show an 83.1% success rate* — significantly higher than the national average of 68.4%.

^ Dr. Susan Treiser

RMA Benefits

RMA prioritizes convenience, safety, and financial transparency throughout the fertility process. Quick in-person or telehealth appointments are available, and every patient is assigned a care team, consisting of a provider, nurse, and financial counselor. RMA financial counselors help patients navigate insurance coverage, recommend lending partners, and provide information on available discount programs.

One standout option is the CareShare IVF Refund Guarantee Program, which includes up to six IVF cycles for a single discounted package price. Eligibility is based on a physician’s recommendation, and terms and conditions apply.

Your Local RMA Clinic

The nearest RMA location is 100 Town Square Place, 6th Floor, Suite 610, Jersey City.

Since many insurance plans reset on December 31, RMA encourages patients to explore their benefits now to avoid missing out on eligible fertility coverage.

To schedule an appointment, call 866-762-3140 or click here for more information.

*A comparison of clinic success rates may not be meaningful because patient medical characteristics, treatment approaches, and entry criteria for ART may vary from clinic to clinic. You can view RMA New Jersey’s clinic summary snapshot report on SART here. Visit sart.org to learn more.

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All About Nimbus Dance in Jersey City

Sarah Griesbach — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 14:18:32 +0000

Nimbus Dance has been bringing wonder and joy to audiences and providing local students with top-notch dance instruction in Jersey City for 20 years. The company continues to grow its reach as the professional dance company expands its touring production schedule and opens an extension school in Summit, NJ. Read on to learn all about the magic of Nimbus Dance in Jersey City and beyond.

Nimbus Dance is a Jersey City Treasure

Each December, the brilliant choreography, dynamic sets, and sophisticated costumes of the Nimbus original Jersey Nutcracker Ballet ratchet up the drama to make a traditional story wonderfully new. This is an urban adventure, replete with a colorfully corrupt mayor and an appearance from the Statue of Liberty. The Waltz of the Flowers becomes the Waltz of the Hipsters. The sweetness of the 1816 E.T.A. Hoffman story, made enchanting by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score in 1893, is renewed in its sweetness and enchantment with innovations that keep the audience laughing and gasping and so glad they came. The Jersey Nutcracker Ballet is a company staple with audiences clamoring for the next year’s creative iteration all over the state.

Nimbus has its own tradition of weaving bold new elements into the fabric of the most classic ballets. Its Firebird is like no other. The Nimbus version takes Aaron Copeland and Martha Graham’s Appalachian Spring becomes Spring when performed by Nimbus, shifting the time and place while taking every advantage of Copeland’s moving score and Graham’s emotionally expressive technique. This combination of our contemporary world with nineteenth-century ballets based on old folktales makes Nimbus productions of the classics one of a kind.

Attending approachable, relatable, evocative ballet is a treat. Seeing these world-class dance performances at a local venue performed by a local theater company is, for many, inspirational. Nimbus founder Samuel Potts was already bringing ballet to audiences throughout New Jersey when he realized that there was no pre-professional dance program in Jersey City. Children couldn’t access after-school or summer dance classes unless they commuted out of the city, a restriction that kept scores of would-be dancers from their jazz, tap, and toe shoe dreams.

A City That Needed a Dance School

Jersey City benefits in all sorts of ways from its across-the-river distance from NYC. Some things are, arguably, made more difficult for Chilltown by that proximity. Arts institutions have not fared as well as they might have without the bright and shiny competition for donations, members, and audiences on the other side of the Hudson. Samuel Potts, the founder of Nimbus Dance Company and School, had danced with the American Repertory Ballet and as a soloist with the Martha Graham Dance Company. He founded Nimbus in 2005 because he knew the importance of accessible professional dance programs to young people for whom proximity would mean possibility.

“Dance is a great leveler,” says Samuel. “When you go into a dance studio, it doesn’t matter where you have come from; you are celebrated for what you bring to the studio, to the stage. And each dancer brings their story. Within the choreography of any performance, there is an alchemy in the combination of the dancers’ stories.”

In September 2020, Nimbus relocated to a state-of-the-art center at the Lively in the Powerhouse Arts District of Jersey City at 321 Warren Street. Today, the Nimbus Arts Center is the largest dance-based arts center in the State of New Jersey, with interwoven wings of Nimbus Dance, the School of Nimbus, the Firmament Art Gallery, a Black Box Theatre, and an array of community engagement programs. The School of Nimbus offers professional dance instruction in ballet, modern, hip hop, tap, and many other dance techniques for children, teens, and pre-professional students. There’s even a class for toddlers and their parents — “Ma, Pa, & Me!” The school keeps class sizes small, and they are taught by dancers within the company.

It’s an “everybody can dance” environment until students set their sights on a dance career, and then it’s hardcore. Acting and voice classes are there for the triple threats, along with Zumba and Pilates. Pre-professionally trained 14- and 15-year-olds can even audition for the highly sought-after Jersey Nutcracker youth slots.

Nimbus is Spreading its Magic

The future is bright for Nimbus. The company performs regularly at NJ PAC, Keane University, and all across New Jersey. It is in demand. So much so that it is opening up a Summit satellite school. Through its residency program, Nimbus regularly partners with instructors who bring diverse dance forms to their students and contribute to the high-energy, edge-of-your-seat performances.

Nimbus is a word for a raincloud that brings moisture and fertility when it enters the environment and changes the atmosphere, which, Samuel Potts feels, is the effect that art has on a community. Nimbus is also a term for a halo or an aura, and the dancers, according to Samual, are surrounded by light on a stage, glowing and rather magical. His dancers certainly are. And more audiences will have the opportunity to see them that way as Nimbus continues to expand its reach and push the boundaries of the arts with innovative new work.

See More: Studio 7: A Dance Studio for Kids + Adults at The Jersey Shore

Lifestyle

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5 New Businesses Opening in Jersey City Heights

Kerrie Joyce — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:00:19 +0000

Jersey City is known for its array of scenery in neighborhoods like Journal Square, Newport, and the Heights. The Heights has been increasing in popularity, and recent events confirm that the neighborhood and its community are finally getting their due credit. Jersey City Heights has recently welcomed a host of new businesses, including three restaurants, two coffee shops, and a Pilates studio. Read on to learn more about the new businesses joining the Jersey City Heights community.

Àbákẹ́ Books + Cafe | 2 Webster Avenue

Àbákẹ́ Books + Cafe recently posted signage in Jersey City Heights advertising the soon to come bookstore and coffee shop. Owned by Jersey City local Jacquees Thomas, also known as Peace, the space will be a “one-of-a-kind fusion of literary passion and distinctive coffee flavors,” per its website. Peace is a writer and host of podcast BLK LIT, a black literature podcast. The space will also function as an event venue for purposes including podcast recordings and film shoots. The shop highlights literary works from authors from various countries within the African diaspora and coffee brews from Tanzania and Rwanda. There is no opening date listed yet for the shop, but the store has a presence online and at local pop-ups in storefronts such as Rudo Plants & Home.

Brazilian Steakhouse | 366 Palisade Avenue

In one of the most recent additions to the Heights’ expansive restaurant scene, a Brazilian steakhouse will be opening in a previously vacant commercial space. The space was previously vacant for 15 years. While there is minimal available information about the space as of this publishing, this piece will be updated as information becomes available.

Hybrid Coffee | 573 Palisade Avenue

Another newcomer to the lineup of Palisade Avenue businesses is Hybrid Coffee. Hybrid Coffee already has locations in Mana Contemporary at 888 Newark Avenue and another in JC at 398 Manila Avenue. Originally a mobile coffee cart, Hybrid Coffee is a passion project from longtime Jersey City resident Evan Santiago. Evan was also behind the concept for the mobile coffee cart, which was converted from an old horse trailer. Now a brick-and-mortar business with added kitchen space, Hybrid Coffee also has a pastry menu. The Heights location is set to open on December 15th.

Olaide’s Kitchen | 516 Paterson Plank Road

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Olaide’s Kitchen is a West African restaurant set to open its second location in New Jersey. The restaurant’s chef and namesake, Chef Olaide Tella, serves a menu of authentic Nigerian recipes inspired by her heritage. The restaurant has been operating in Parlin, New Jersey, since 2017. The Jersey City Heights location opened on December 4th, and the first 30 guests were gifted a free tote bag.

Varsity Pilates | 523 Palisade Avenue

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A non-culinary business will also enter the community on Palisade Avenue, Varsity Pilates. The pilates studio will be releasing its class schedule on December 15th, which will include reformer Pilates workout classes ranging from early morning 6AM sessions to late night sessions at 7:30PM. The studio is offering founding memberships before opening. More information about memberships can be found here.

See More: The Best Restaurants in Jersey City Heights for Your Next Foodie Adventure

The Matcha Shortage: How Hoboken Cafes Will Be Impacted

Kerrie Joyce — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 02:00:32 +0000

Matcha has skyrocketed in the past year or so as the most popular drink on cafe menus. The green lattes that are all over your social media feed actually have roots in ancient Japanese history, but may soon vanish. Since the tea has a reputation for less jitters, more antioxidants, and other health benefits than traditional caffeine sources, it has seen an unprecedented increase in popularity around the globe. As a result of this sudden trajectory, though, and the conditions under which the tea is grown, supplies may soon run out. Read on to learn more about the rumored matcha shortage.

Matcha’s Rise to Global Stardom

Matcha is a stone-ground powder made from green tea leaves that are grown in the shade. Matcha has been used for centuries in Japan in traditional tea ceremonies. The tradition of drinking matcha was built on four principles: harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.

Due to high concentrations of chlorophyll, L-theanine, and of course, caffeine, the drink is heavily praised as a “superfood” that has various health benefits. The drink is also praised as a coffee alternative for those who experience jitters or a “crash” from traditional caffeinated beverages, with added cognitive benefits for focus and mood from the l-theanine content. The high chlorophyll content is a product of the leaves being grown in the shade. These benefits have resulted in an international explosion in demand in the past two years, with most cafes serving strawberry, lavender, pumpkin spice, and even banana bread matcha lattes.

In conversation with The New York Times, Matchaful owner Hanah Habes explained the causes of the shortage and related ‘knockoff’ teas. There are different “grades” of matcha quality, including ceremonial and culinary grades. Ceremonial grade matcha, which is also known as “first flush” matcha, is from the first harvest in the spring. Since in previous planting seasons, the demand for the tea leaves was much less than it is right now, supplies of ceremonial-grade matcha are set to run out.

Remy Morimoto Park, commonly known by her online usernames Veggiekins and Matcha Mommy, is a vegan food, matcha, and lifestyle social media creator. She is also the author of a cookbook and owns a matcha business. Her matcha business, Frauth, collaborated earlier this year with Hoboken-born salad chain, Alfalfa, on vanilla matcha bliss balls. In her cookbook Sesame, Soy, Spice , she includes a recipe for a “Dirty Jersey Diner Plate” reflecting on nostalgic experiences at New Jersey diners as a child growing up in Fort Lee.

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She started Frauth in 2024, after six years in the making. About the growth of the matcha industry, she said, “At that time, matcha was gaining popularity but it was nowhere near as mainstream as it is today. I think what has changed the most is the general understanding of what matcha is and the appreciation for a higher quality of matcha. ” She continued that the growing understanding of different matcha qualities today was not the case six years ago, and consumers’ appreciation for quality is beneficial to matcha brands like hers.

Remy is part Japanese, so matcha was introduced to her early on, and it was regularly served with wagashi, or sweet treat,s and after meals. She was motivated to create her brand partially because she found it difficult to find high-quality tea in the States, having been “spoiled” by her grandmother, who brought back tea from her favorite regions in Japan.

“The matcha shortage is already in effect. All businesses will be impacted a bit because there is now an increased demand for matcha, but the available quantity has not increased [in fact, this year’s harvest yield was negatively impacted because of the weather conditions]. Prices will increase and as the average consumer becomes more aware of higher quality matcha, the demand for higher grades of matcha [typically more limited in yield per year] will also increase,” Remy shared with The Hoboken Girl, “Essentially, everyone wants to get their hands on matcha but the industry cannot handle the demand and it will take some time before that is possible. I don’t think it will impact the East Coast specifically differently, but those in the US could be subject to price increases due to tariffs and import fees.”

“Because higher quality matcha is harvested only once a year, first flush/harvest matcha will not be easy to secure. There is a fixed quantity available per year,” she added.

Given her platform, Remy has made countless latte (and food) recipes using the tea powder, but some standouts include her Matcha Jelly Latte, Cantaloupe Matcha Latte, and, of course, the seasonally appropriate Pumpkin Spice Matcha Latte.

Matcha’s Presence at Hoboken + Jersey City Cafes

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While the powder is a superfood, many coffee shops in the area have gotten creative with the different ways the tea can be incorporated into a decadent latte. The drinks are made similarly to espresso lattes, adding a shot of matcha as the caffeine source. The Hive, Mojo, Empire Coffee + Tea, Hidden Grounds, The Little Local, Hey Coffee People, and Jane’s Matcha have all integrated matcha lattes into their menus with multiple spins on the drink. Some examples include the Strawberry Matcha Latte at Hey Coffee People, Hidden Grounds’ Rose and Coconut Matcha Elixirs, and the Lavender Matcha Latte at Empire. Matcha can also be used in place of espresso in your favorite seasonal beverages, including a Spiced Brown Sugar Matcha at Mojo Coffee and the Iced Maple Berry Matcha at Lil’ Dove.

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Abbe Rivers of Empire Coffee and Tea shared that while she has not felt the impact of the shortage yet, the signs can be seen in Los Angeles, where cafes are being hit especially hard. While Abbe is not sure about if or when a shortage will be felt, the already-expensive product is getting pricier. “Price increases will be based on both supply shortages and tariffs. We’ll be looking at approximately a 10-20% price increase, which we will unfortunately have to implement once our prices go up. We love our customers and will do our best to absorb as much as possible,” Abbe said.

Photo Credit: Ashley Oharonian

One Jersey City company entirely dedicated to matcha drinks, Jane’s Matcha, first launched during the 2024 Riverview Farmer’s Market. Jane first discovered matcha as a high school student when she worked as a boba-rista at the now-closed Grumpy Bobas in Somerville. She realized that the tea worked better for her than other caffeinated beverages, and cited the meditative process of whisking the tea that she would look forward to every morning. She wanted to bring high-quality, hand-whisked matcha beverages to her neighborhood in Jersey City, which is where she first applied to bring her new passion project.

Soon after her first setup at the Riverview Farmers Market, the shortage began to show itself. “The matcha shortage has impacted this year in a lot of different ways. I had to take off the first few weeks of the farmers market season because the producers we’d worked with the previous year were extremely low on their spring harvests and were waiting for 2025’s harvest season to replenish their stock,” Jane said. Explaining the different types of matcha and the different ways each will be impacted, she said, “The shortage is heavily impacting single-origin, first spring harvest. Essentially, higher-quality matcha that can only be picked once a year. Unfortunately, the pricing increases have already started for high-quality matcha, but we’re trying to keep our cafe prices as consistent as we can.”

See More: Where to Find Matcha Drinks in Hoboken + Jersey City

Other types of hand-whisked green tea, including hojicha, a darker roasted green tea usually made with sencha or bancha tea leaves, also appear on Jane’s regular menu. The cacao-ish flavored drink may grow in popularity as a result of the shortage, according to Jane. One of the core principles of Jane’s Matcha, she said, is keeping ingredients as local as possible. One of her favorite beverages on the menu, and most popular, is the Honeycomb Matcha. For the drink, Jane uses honeycomb from the Riverview Garden in Jersey City Heights, Beekeeper, Roger. Seasonal drinks like the Peaches + Cream and Blueberry Matcha drinks have used local produce from RH farms. About upcoming winter beverages and broadening tea variations to adjust to the shortage impacts, Jane said, “I’m excited to try out some new holiday drinks as well, especially with hojicha! I think the natural, nutty, roasted flavor of hojicha pairs well with more cozy flavors that we’ll start to test in the upcoming months.”

The post The Matcha Shortage: How Hoboken Cafes Will Be Impacted appeared first on Hoboken Girl.