Hoboken Business Closes After 54 Years, But Stories Will Live On

HOBOKEN, NJ — After 54 years of constructing, soldering, and sponsoring local sports teams, a Hoboken industrial business near the border with Jersey City has closed.

Mola Iron Works at 61 Paterson Ave. announced just before summer that it would shut down.

The family was honored with a city proclamation last month.

The Ratto family posted earlier this year, "After 54 proud years, Mola Iron Works is closing its doors. Since 1972, our family business has been built with hard work, dedication, and pride in every project we touched. What began as a small family dream grew into a lifelong legacy — one shaped by loyal customers, skilled hands, strong relationships, and an incredible community that supported us every step of the way."

The business began after Angelo and Vincenza Ratto took a ship to Hoboken in 1971 with sons Tony, Frank, Pino, Joe, and John. Angelo, who was an ironworker in Italy, opened the Hoboken business and named it after the place they left: Mola di Bari.

Spoke No English

According to the Hoboken Historical Museum, son John, 7, spoke no English, but began learning at the Brandt School, located a block from his new home above Torna Pizza.

Now John will reflect on his life and the family business during the Hoboken Historical Museum's weekly "Hoboken Talks" series.

John will also talk about battling stage 4 colon cancer.

To hear John's stories, use this livestream link: livestream link. The interview starts at 7 p.m.