Signs of Progress at Porta on Newark Avenue

Porta at 135 Newark Avenue

Porta's newest location at 135 Newark Avenue is beginning to take shape!

Although the pharmacy sign still stands, the former Fenny Pharmacy building is now completely unrecognizable with a stylish wood exterior and roof deck.

Porta is now projecting an opening date in October 2014.

Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza

Starting last Tuesday one block of Newark Avenue stretching from Barrow Street to Grove Street is now closed off to traffic during designated hours to create a cars-free pedestrian plaza.

On weekdays from 3 pm to midnight and all day on weekends pedestrians can leisurely enjoy a treat from Downtown Yogurt, read a book from Word on one of the colorfully decorated picnic tables in the street, dine at the extended outdoor seating areas of LITM or Skinner's Loft. There's even a piano donated by Mayor Fulop that you can play or listen to.

Despite a few traffic flow adjustments, the plaza has been quite popular among residents and businesses. The plaza is currently on a three month trial run, so time will tell if it is here to stay.

Crafting Event at Feena Boutique This Friday, July 18, 2014

Feena Boutique at 279 Grove Street will be hosting a special crafting class this Friday, July 18th at 5 pm.

The class, led by Lindsey Crafter, will teach you how to create your own tassel and turn it into a finished necklace.

The cost is $20 (includes materials) and you can RSVP online: www.lindseycrafter.com or on Facebook.

Groove on Grove Returns on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 With a Cinco de Mayo Kick-Off Party

Groove on Grove returns this Wednesday, May 7th with a huge Cinco de Mayo kick-off party!

The festivities on Wednesday will be from 6-9 pm and there will be food, beer, sangria and music by Segunda Quimbaba, MAS ALLA and DJ George Soul Fern.

The weekly outdoor music series will continue throughout the summer, welcoming home commuters at the Grove Street PATH station on Wednesday evenings!

LivingSocial Deal for The Bistro at Grove Square

The Bistro at Grove Square

Today's LivingSocial deal is $20 for $40 to spend on food and drink at the Bistro at Grove Square, located at 116 Newark Avenue in front of the Grove Street PATH Plaza.

For full details and to purchase, visit LivingSocial.

The 5th Annual Fourth Street Arts' Chili Cook-Off is Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the Grove Street Plaza

The 5th Annual Fourth Street Arts' Chili Cook-Off is scheduled for Saturday, May 3rd at the Grove Street PATH Plaza in Jersey City.

This year's cook-off will be all afternoon event of live music, kids activities, home brewed beer by the Jersey City Brew Club and of course the chili competition!

Many contestants will be returning this year including last year's champions PJ Ryan's and The Lamp Post Bar & Grill, as well as newcomers Gia Gelato and The Hamilton Inn.

Tickets are $5 for chili only or $20 for chili and home brew beer (21 and over only).  You can purchase online at http://4thtix.com/

CoolVines Now Open, Grand Opening Party Next Weekend (March 1-2, 2014)

CoolVines, a wine merchant with locations in Westfield and Princeton has opened a new location in Jersey City at 255 Grove Street (corner of Grove and York).

Next weekend (March 1st-2nd) CoolVines is throwing a party from 12 pm to close to celebrate their grand opening with wine & beer tastings, Portuguese finger food, live music and a vintage bike raffle.

Stop in and check out their hand-picked wine selection!

Word Bookstore's Grand Opening Ceremony on Friday, February 28, 2014

All are invited to the grand opening ceremony of Word Bookstore at 123 Newark Avenue on Friday, February 28th at 10:30 am.

There will be a ribbon-cutting by Mayor Fulop as well as free coffee served during the ceremony.

Stop in and pick up a good read while you're there!

Garden State Food Tours Pre-Valentine's Day Cocktails & Desserts Event at LITM on Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Garden State Food Tours is back in Jersey City on Tuesday, February 11th for a pre-Valentines Day social event for both singles and couples.

The event will take place at LITM and will include 2 premium cocktails and desserts by All Kinds of Whoopie and Milk Sugar Love.

Tickets are $35.00 each (plus $2.92 fee) and must be purchased in advance at gsftpresentslovebites.eventbrite.com

For more information, visit Garden State Food Tours.

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at Downtown Yogurt on Friday, January 31, 2014 at 4:30 pm

To celebrate Downtown Yogurt's grand opening there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Fulop at 126 Newark Avenue this Friday, January 31st at 4:30 pm.

They will be serving free yogurt from 4:30 - 6:00 pm!

Update (1/30/14): Time is from 4:30 - 6:00 pm

Downtown Yogurt Getting Ready to Open, Asking for Flavor Ideas

Downtown Yogurt is putting their finishing touches on their new location at 126 Newark Avenue, on the corner of Newark and Grove right outside the Grove Street PATH plaza.

You can send them your ideas for flavors via Twitter, Facebook, their website at www.downtownyogurt.com or by email at info(at)downtownyogurt.com.

Update (1/16/2014): Downtown Yogurt opens today at noon!

The Wine Bar at the Grove Street Bistro Now Open (Thursdays - Saturdays) and Offering Half Priced Bottles All Month

The Wine Bar at the Grove Street Bistro (entrance located behind the Grove Street PATH station plaza on Morgan Street) is now open on Thursdays to Saturdays from 6 pm to close.

They will be offering half-priced bottles all month.

Update (1/9/2014): Despite the rumors, the Grove Square Bistro is not for sale. The speakeasy and coffee shop to open late spring (via their Twitter feed).

Fundraiser for the Grove Street Fire Victims at Surya Yoga on Saturday, January 11, 2014

Surya Yoga Academy will be hosting a yoga class with live music this Saturday, January 11th from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm to benefit the victims of the Grove Street fire.

The fundraising event will take place at Surya Yoga's studio at 341 Grove Street (above Orale Mexican Kitchen and next door to the location of the devastating fire that took place last November).

To attend, register online at www.suryayogaacademy.com (space is limited).

A suggested donation of $25 will go towards the victims of the fire.

If you cannot attend you can still make a donation through the United Way:

Text: UWHC FIRE to 52000

Online: www.unitedwayhudson.org (indicate payment is for the Grove Street Fire)

Check: Make payable to United Way of Hudson County (indicate that it is for the Grove St Fire in the memo line) and send to United Way of Hudson County, 857 Bergen Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306.

Word Jersey City is Now Open and Bringing BJ Novak to Jersey City on February 6, 2014

If you walked by the Grove Street PATH recently you may have noticed that Word Jersey City is now open, a much anticipated addition to the area that doubles the number of book stores on Newark Ave (Tachair is only a short walk up the block at 260 Newark Ave).

Word has several exciting upcoming in-store events planned, including an evening with BJ Novak on February 6th to present his new book One More Thing.

The cafe is also set to open this Saturday, January 4th.

Word Bookstore Soft Launch Tomorrow, Saturday, December 14, 2013

The Jersey Journal has reported that the Word Bookstore at 123 Newark Avenue, steps from the Grove Street PATH station, is only days away from opening officially.

The independent bookstore from Greenpoint Brooklyn has been eagerly anticipated in Jersey City since it was first announced in February.

The bookstore will have a "soft" opening tomorrow, Saturday, December 14th at 9 am (cafe to come later).

Fundraiser to Benefit Grove Street Fire Victims at Two Boots Tonight, Monday, December 9, 2013

HDSID and Two Boots Jersey City are hosting a fundraiser tonight, Monday, December 9th to benefit the people and businesses who were affected by the terrible Grove Street fire.

Attendees will be asked to donate $15 at the door and are encouraged to bring clothing and non-perishable food.

They will be served one plain slice of pizza, beer donated by NJ Beer Company and music by Rock-it Docket.

The Jersey City Project Presents Project: MARKET Outside City Hall on Grove Street This Sunday, December 8, 2013

The Jersey City Project is debuting this weekend with their first initiative, Project: MARKET, an outdoor market that will take place in front of City Hall at 280 Grove Street this Sunday, December 8th from 10 am to 7 pm.

Project: MARKET will feature an impressive list of vendors including many local favorites like Thirty Acres, Milk Sugar Love, See Spot Rescued, highly anticipated Talde JC (restaurant by Top Chef alumni Dale Talde) and more!

There will also be live entertainment, gourmet food trucks, handcrafted items, artwork and a DIY silk screen printing workshop. A great opportunity to #shoplocaljc!

Fundraiser for Grove Street Fire Victims at LITM Tonight, Wednesday, December 4, 2013

LITM is hosting a fundraiser tonight, Wednesday, December 8th for the victims of a terrible fire that destroyed two buildings on Grove Street.

The fundraiser will take place between 6 pm and 8 pm at LITM, located at 140 Newark Avenue.  10% of all sales will be donated, 100% of sales of Terrapin Rye Pale Ale and Abita Andygator.

Patrons are also encouraged to bring gently used clothing and non-perishable foods.

Holiday Season Tree and Candle Lightings Start Next Monday, November 18, 2013

The holiday season is already here!

The annual Tree Lighting and Hannukah Candle Lighting at the Grove Street PATH Plaza will take place on Monday, November 18th at 5 pm.

The 12th annual Newport Tree Lighting will take place on Tuesday, December 3rd at 100 Town Square Plaza at 4:30 pm and will include kids activities with Santa and his elves and a music and light show.

Newport Tree Lighting

Soul Flavors to Close

Soul Flavors is located at 354 Grove Street

Soul Flavors, known for their Food Network's Chopped Champion Chef Wayne Lyons, is unfortunately closing.  Chef Wayne will still be reachable at info(at)soulflavors.com for news and catering.

You can read their message on their Facebook page.

Update (10/28/2013): Here is the LoopNet listing for sale of Soul Flavors (in contract).

Update (10/29/2013): Sign in the window says Taqueria Downtown Catering Co coming soon.