Coffee Shop Owners Rally Supporters To Get Jersey City’s Blessing To Sell Cinnamon Buns

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A pair of Jersey City women who own two coffee shops in Hudson County are asking their customers to support them at an upcoming Zoning Board hearing— where they'll ask permission to continue selling cinnamon buns.

Kristin Karotkin and Catherine Willhoit opened the Hive in Hoboken in 2020, a shop that includes a play area in the back and serves pre-made pastries. In 2024, they opened a downtown Jersey City location.

It's the latter location that led them to the Zoning Board.

They've earned a following with their iced, gooey cinnamon buns, made offsite and heated up at their shops.

The buns have inspired lines out the door and earned praise from celebrities including Blake Lively.

But they said on social media last month that a neighbor made a complaint to Jersey City officials because their license as a retail establishment precludes certain types of food preparation.

They asked supporters to attend a Zoning Board meeting May 7.

"It's scary whenever we have to justify what we're doing again," said Willhoit. "It's confusing and there's a lot to understand...we just have to defend our use of the space."

Both women thanked the community for support.

Jersey City itself had praised the business a year ago, calling it "a place to connect."

The Hive is located at 615 Jersey Ave. in Jersey City, and at 1000 Park Ave. in Hoboken. RELATED: NJ Coffee Shop Whose Cinnamon Buns Were Praised By Blake Lively Opens Jersey City Location

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