Hoboken Cop Opens Coffeehouse At Former Maxwell House Plant

HOBOKEN, NJ — It wasn’t long ago that Hoboken Police Officer Justin DePascale didn’t even like coffee. Now he can’t imagine life without it.

DePascale recently opened a local coffee bar on Maxwell Lane, Hudson Coffee, and already has plans for a second location at 70 Hudson Street in Jersey City. The forays into the world of a business owner are an unexpected twist to DePascale’s time on the Hoboken Police Department’s anti-vice squad and narcotics unit, where he found himself mostly working the evening shift.

The need to stay alert made drinking coffee a necessity, but over time, DePascale learned to appreciate the beverage, he said.

“It’s surprising that I went from disliking coffee to having a real passion for it now,” said DePascale. “I tasted some really bad brews during my years on the police force, so when I discovered truly good coffee, everything changed. I began to seek out specialty coffees and wanted to try different beans from around the world. I wanted to learn and understand more and became somewhat of a coffee connoisseur.”

It wasn’t long before DePascale opened Hudson Coffee Company at 1100 Maxwell Lane on the site of the former Hoboken Maxwell House coffee plant.

DePascale said that he appreciates the historical significance of the site and plans to preserve its rich history. Visitors who walk into his coffeehouse are greeted by nostalgic images of the old Maxwell House plant, the Hudson waterfront shipyards and other local moments in Hoboken history, some of which were taken by DePascale himself.

DePascale also plans to turn the coffeehouse into a “a neighborhood gathering place,” and intends to host entertainment, open mic nights and other local events.

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Hudson Coffee will celebrate a grand opening on Friday, May 4. The business will offer half-priced coffee and beverages during normal business hours, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and will donate all of the proceeds to the Hoboken Police Department’s Police Benevolent Association (PBA). The PBA will use the donation to purchase safety equipment for Hoboken High School, where DePascale serves as School Resource Police Officer.

Hudson Coffee has a focus on “artisanal-style coffee,” but also features old brews, fine teas, lattes, espresso, cappuccino, hot cocoa and a selection of pastries, croissants, cookies, muffins and scones. Learn more about this local business here.

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Photo courtesy of Hudson Coffee Company

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