Popular Jersey City Restaurant LITM Closes After 17 Years

JERSEY CITY, NJ —Just days after posting photos on Facebook of their mocha cocoa and other winter cocktails, a popular Jersey City restaurant and arts destination called LITM — it stands for Love Is The Message —announced Thursday that it was closed for good.

Among the city's burgeoning arts and restaurant scene, many eateries are thriving, but the owner of the 17-year-old establishment at 140 Newark Ave. sold it a year ago, according to NJ.com.

On Instagram last week, a fan wrote in response to news of the closing, "I wish you all the best in the future, thank you for being such a staple to the community! I love(d) and will continue to keep your spicy cocktails in my heart forever."

And a Facebook friend wrote, "LITM is where we met Charles and John of Chillfest QueerFilm and where me and Eddie met new friends and gaybors of JerseyCity."

Several commenters said they'd met friends and romantic partners there. Others said the restaurant had hosted their charity fundraisers. Most recently, the eatery hosted an exhibit of local artists.

The owner and the manager posted a joint message on Thursday:

<blockquote>Dear friends and family of LITM:
With a full and grateful heart, I say farewell.
Since 2003, LITM has been a neighborhood destination for individuals to connect and build community. For many, it became their home away from home. I have been fortunate to know most of you and to see so many of your stories unfold. After seventeen years, the LITM story has come to an end.
We created many grand memories over the years but as much as I cherish those, so do I cherish our simple everyday conversations that sealed our friendship. One such conversation was with a former staff who told me that I was like a big sister to him. He pursued his passion, like I did when opening LITM. I was surrounded by such people following their heart. I suspect this will always be the case, and I believe that the best is yet to come for all of us.
As we wrap up in the next few days, LITM will unfortunately not be open for business. Our final farewell party will not take place at our space due to time constraints. We want our chance at a proper goodbye, and will endeavor to make that a reality. It just won’t happen at 140 Newark Ave.
Artists and service providers: we will be contacting you to make arrangements, and will be available to serve you beyond the closing of our space.
LITM stands for love is the message. Thank you for believing in it from day one.
Always,
Jelynne Jardiniano Morse
Founder and owner of LITM
jelynne@litm.com
Andrea Morin
General Manager and Curator
andrea@litm.com<blockquote>