Here's The Beef In Hoboken: Shake Shack To Open In Spring/Summer

HOBOKEN, NJ — The forthcoming Shake Shack restaurant in Hoboken, which residents have been eagerly anticipating since 2017, will probably open in the second or third quarter of this year, said a representative.

Michael Rawlins of RIPCO Real Estate, who represents Shake Shack in New Jersey, said Thursday, "I believe the store will open quarter 2 or quarter 3 of 2020. It's definitely still happening!"

Aside from Trader Joe's, few chain stores have elicited as much excitement from Hoboken residents as the proposed burger and shake restaurant planned for 107-111 Washington St., six blocks from the city's train station.

In October, the store began advertising on its website for a general manager for the Hoboken location. The ad said they were looking to open by the end of 2019. But the apartment building including the restaurant (pictured above) is still under construction, and the ad is no longer on the site.

The five-story building will have 11 residential units and 5,700 square feet of retail on two floors.

Speculation about the burger chain began in April of 2017, when developers brought a plan for a mixed-use building to the Hoboken Zoning Board of Adjustment. A rendering included a sign with the words Shake Shack, and the board heard testimony about the company. In response, Shake Shack Tweeted a non-confirmation. The original development plan was denied, but the proposal was adjusted and resubmitted to the board in November of 2017. That application was approved.

The popular eatery is known for its cheeseburgers with Shacksauce, Griddled Chick’n Club with buttermilk herb mayo; fries, floats, frozen custard, and "hand-spun" shakes in vanilla, chocolate, caramel, black & white, strawberry, and coffee. The company expects to open dozens of stores in the United States in 2020.

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