Coming Not-So-Soon: Hoboken's Empty Storefronts

Businesses in Hoboken come and go, like commuters through Lackawanna Station.

One day you're buying organic body scrub, the next the store is shut down and you go back to buy a chicken sandwich. (Most of the time, though, you'll have to wait several months for something new to open). It's sad to see businesses turn over so often and so quickly. It's also depressing walking past so many empty storefronts on Washington Street.

The question is why it takes so long for new stores to open. It's anyone's guess, but, for as long as I can remember, that's the way it's always been in this town.

This past February, Ralph's Famous Italian Ices eventually opened at 8th and Washington Street, in place of a former shoe store, after more than six months of delays in getting the right permits and inspections from the city. It's finally thriving with the hot weather, but I just hope enough business is made to make up for those lost months. 

Chicken Factory finally opened in the one-time organic health and beauty store, that also sold purses by a designer who couldn't stay afloat in her own space. The yogurt shop never came to fruition. It's only the second chicken-only joint (Cluck U.) in town since Urban Chicken, the former Chicken and Rib Crib, has remained abandoned for over a year.

The old Life is Good and Century 21 both shuttered and moved respectively. Its only usage was as a campaign office during last year's mayoral election, one used by Kimberly Glatt and the other by Mayor Dawn Zimmer. The same goes for 315 Washington Street, which Beth Mason used to use. Zimmer once campaigned out of the now Anika's Kati Roll, after a cell phone store shut down.

The Wishing Tree is closing its Washington Street location and moving west to 6th and Jefferson Streets because of increased rent. The owner is going to rid herself of the antiques and focus on floral arrangements.

Gothic Cabinet Craft, one of the larger stores, is liquidating their inventory too.

Pita Grill is closed, but for renovations. They seem to be moving quickly, but one never knows what will happen.

Avenue, the former Da Vinci Italian restaurant, is being renovated again as a new restaurant and seems to be coming along at more of a hare's pace.

Wild Ginger took over the over-priced Venue, which used to be a two-story brick oven pizzeria.

Empire Gym eventually had its equipment taken away a few months ago, and it's right next door to the old TD Bank. Other banks that shuttered, mainly due to the consolidation of all financial institutions, were Washington Mutual, at the old Quick Check, and HSBC.

Of all places, Halliburton, a real estate company, was even on the move, going from Washington to First Street. Other stores that relocated from Washington Street are Cartridge World, which is now women's clothing store Yafit, operated by the wife of the owner of Beau Brunello, formerly Beau Brummel – the name was changed due to a court ruling – and Empire Coffee & Tea. Ironically both places are caddy-cornered to each other on Bloomfield Street.

Platform Soul shut down and was turned into an art gallery, as was Itty Bitty.

Behind the frosted doors and windows at 2nd Street and Sinatra Drive will be the Wicked Wolf. The Web site says July 2010 as an opening, which gives them only three days. The owners are no slouches. Their portfolio boasts six different bars up and down the East Coast, with the majority located in Connecticut. This will be their first venture in the Mile Square. Welcome to the madness.

I was surprised to see the Mile Square bar shut down. Just when it was turned into a Syracuse bar, and large screen TVs were installed, the padlocks came out. The owners of New York City's Mercury Bar and Tonic are reopening it as One Republic, stating January 2011 as the grand opening. It will take until that time just to rid itself from the smell of years of spilled beer and vomit that waft out onto Washington Street.

The Frozen Monkey, at one-time uber-popular, pulled the old "On Vacation" sign in the window, just like Soup Nazi did before Signature Kitchen took it over. A hibachi place is supposed to open up, just three storefronts away from "Asia Row"–Robongi, Wild Ginger, Hoboken Cottage, and Off the Wall.

West End Station at the Sky Club is claiming Summer 2010 as its time to shine. It's great to see this part of town getting a new place to eat because food is limited. And once you're there, you're closer to parts of Jersey City than other sections of Hoboken. The West End's own Web site says "miles away from ordinary". This place should be nice with the group of Bin 14 and Anthony David's behind it.

The latest rage is beer gardens and Hoboken is getting one. Pilsner Haus and Bier Garten is overtaking 1422 Grand Street, another area of Hoboken that's more desolate than Land of the Lost.

NJ Golf wasn't even open long enough to get a real sign out front. They just plopped down their clubs and bags, in the former clothing store. Prior to that it was a doctor's office.

My favorite place of all of these was Joon Lee. I actually would go there to get my watches fixed, but this place reminded me of a flea market from the 1980s–all of the merchandise was outdated and dusty. I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did.

Lucky's Famous Burgers is becoming infamous for its closed doors stating "Summer 2010." I've never seen any construction being done at this former two-time deli. Its sign says "Hoboken Just Got Lucky." At the rate most businesses open, they'll be "lucky" to open up before the autumnal equinox.

The owners of the Clam Broth House are opening the steakhouse at 61 Jackson Street. Construction is back on track, but no sign of a tentative opening date.

Nicky's convenience store went from "summer 2010" to "coming soon." Is there a measurable amount of time of how long "soon" really is? Even a jiffy is equal to 33.3564 picoseconds.

Then there's Walgreens that will be one block away from CVS, which is connected to where Barnes & Noble used to be. Rumors were flying that a TGI Friday's or even a Dollar Store was going to open at the former bookstore, but none of those rumors have been confirmed.

Finally, let's not forget about the two cursed locations. One is 230 Washington Street (Rodeo, Ristra, Privee, Mercy Grill and now Hoboken Bar & Grill) and 62 Newark Street (Food 3663, Kebab House, and now Taco Truck).

I hope every business does well, and thrives in this town, especially the ones that are set to open. However it's depressing to see all of these spaces not rented. Hopefully landlords will recognize this trend and lower their rents. In the meantime, let's make this sporting, so please take a stab of when these "under construction" "coming soon" places will actually open their doors and anyone who guesses the correct opening date of any of these places, I'll buy them a drink of their choice at its grand opening.