Shake Shack Not Coming to Hoboken in 2019, But Maybe Next Year

HOBOKEN, NJ — Aside from Trader Joe's, few chain stores have elicited as much excitement from Hoboken residents as the proposed new Shake Shack restaurant that's planned for 107-111 Washington St., six blocks from the city's train station. In October, the chain began advertising a general manager job at its potential new location, and Reddit and other sources began speculating on the opening date. The ad said they were looking to open by the end of 2019. But the ad appears to have been pulled.

Construction on the five-story building — which will have 11 residential units and 5,700 square feet of retail on two floors —has continued, but is far from finished.

A representative for the real estate firm representing Shake Shack in New Jersey did not return messages left over the last few days.

If popular demand is any indication, the eatery will be a success. Its other locations have drawn long lines of patrons seeking their 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 has experienced rapid growth around the country, and this year confirmed locations in Princeton and Edison.

Residents began talking about the Hoboken location as early as April of 2017 when developers brought a plan for a mixed-use building to the 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. Ultimately, the plans were denied, but the proposal was adjusted and resubmitted to the board in November of 2017. That time, the application was approved. There was no mention of the shop in that application.

Then, Shake Shack posted job advertisements in late October of 2019. A representative later confirmed to JerseyDigs that the restaurant was coming and provided a rendering.

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