Hoboken Bonus: Tourists love NYC views along waterfront

Continuing the Hoboken HDR Photo of the Day entry is a great view from uptown last week. You can say what you want about Hoboken good, bad or in-between. But one thing that will always be true is that tourists love NYC views visible when strolling along our waterfront (even if the parking boots and potholes get in the way!)

This particular shot is made special by the ominous clouds draping the metropolis. However, that didn’t stop this family from capturing the scene, just like I did. The skyline may be captured a million times a day, but it is not always easy to make one scene stand out above others.

Click on the image to see a larger version.

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Technorati Tags: HDR, HDR Hoboken, Hoboken, New Jersey, NJ, NYC, PHOTO OF THE DAY, photography, Skyline, tourists, Tourists Love NYC Views, View

Mod Cup Coffee graces Hoboken with tasty java!

Do you love coffee as much as we do here at Hoboken411? Well be prepared for a treat when you encounter the Mod Cup Coffee Truck!

The latest member of the brigade of mobile food vendors in Hoboken, Mod Cup “microbatch coffee roasters” are definitely worth checking out.

I spent some time with owner Travas and his partner Justin last week, and was amazed at their passion for the craft of coffee roasting and brewing. They take this art very seriously (in a fun way of course), and is way beyond what you’d expect. (See him describe Mod Cup in his own words after the break!)

For one, they will pummel you with facts about the whole coffee industry, how to achieve the best flavor, the differences in beans, the brewing process and much more. It’s completely worth paying them a visit to experience that first hand. Take my word for it, a pleasurable experience for sure. This cart will be around town during the warmer months – rain or shine, as it’s convertible with an umbrella-like awning that can be installed. Naturally it wasn’t necessary during the nice day I hung out with them.

Mod Cup is Hoboken’s first mobile coffee roaster!

Additionally, they bought a retro 1969 Citroen van, which is currently “in the shop,” getting retrofitted to become an actual mobile coffee roasting truck. Their goal, hopefully, is to get other local businesses to carry their hand-crafted selections of beans and roasts. Also available on their cart is “concentrated” brewed coffee, which you can take home and enjoy at a convenient time.

You can get slow-brewed coffee (either hot or iced), as well as espresso and even teas. They’ll gladly offer you samples before you order.

One thing the customers will need to be aware of though (and this might pose a challenge to the Mod Cup guys as well), is that this is NOT your usual cup of coffee, say from McDonald’s, a Hoboken diner, Dunkin’ Donuts or even Starbucks for that matter. This is sort of the way coffee was meant to be made and consumed.

The flavors are rich, deep and sophisticated. Upon first taste, one might even think something is wrong with it (especially if they normally drink crappy piss-water). I had an iced Americano – and it practically knocked me off my feet by the complexity. Not a drink you “chug” whatsoever. Small sips. The “finish” stays for a very long time. At first I was a bit worried because of my own Starbucks addiction, but by the time I finished later in the day, they had already won me over.

Good luck, Mod Cup!

Description: Mod Cup Microbatch Coffee Roasters.
Address: Varies (follow them for updates)
Online: modcup.com – Twitter

Click to read even more about Mod Cup!

Technorati Tags: coffee, coffee roasters, Coffee Truck, Espresso, fresh coffee, Hoboken, Lunch Truck, microbatch, mobile vendor, mod cup, New Jersey, NJ, Tea

Club H Fitness files for bankruptcy in Hoboken, NJ

Did you know that Club H Fitness recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection?

Chapter 11 for Club H Fitness – what’s in store for future?

Hoboken411 reader Adam clued us into this, and wanted current and future members as well as the general public to know about it, “so they can make an educated decision about joining this facility. I am a previous member who left due to severe maintenance issues and general poor housekeeping,” he said.

The document that Club H Fitness filed lists business assets at between $1 and $10 million dollars, and outstanding debt obligations at between $1 and $10 million dollars as well. You can see the list of over 175 businesses and individuals they owe money to here.

According to other documents reviewed by Hoboken411 – it also appears that Club H is trying to get back over $125,000 in rent they paid their landlord. At least that is how I understood the court papers. Apparently bankruptcy law allows this? But the landlords (“Block A South Waterfront Development, LLC”) are trying to prevent it.

In case you were wondering – Club H’s rent was a staggering $36,000 per month in this building. That fee comprised of $18,645 for base rent, $450 for storage, $3,548 for operating expenses, $2,528 for real estate taxes, $2,375 for electricity, $1,063 for water condenser charges, and $8,000 per month for parking. Crazy, right? Now you wonder why all most gyms have those ridiculous “sign up” fees.

The latest documents indicate a hearing will take place on June 3, 2013 at 10am down at the United States Bankruptcy Court in Newark, New Jersey.

Will they rebound afterward? Or is this curtains for Club H?

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Technorati Tags: Block A South Waterfront Development LLC, club H, Club H Bankruptcy, Club H Chapter 11, Club H Fitness, gym, Hoboken, hoboken411.com, New Jersey, NJ, Real Estate News, reviews

Hoboken Week in Review – May 19, 2013

Appears that spring is finally here to stay! Hooray!

Here’s a selection of noteworthy posts for the week ending Sunday, May 19, 2013:

Politics and City Happenings

• Zimmer Hypocrisy – Have you seen how some city officials behave? Maybe we need more nannies.
• Pedestrian killed – Sidewalks become even more hazardous!
• Reckless drivers – Are frightening even without booze and bad weather!
• Fancy 14th Street Viaduct – The updated roadway may look better than some apartment buildings!
• Falco vs. Zimmer – Lawsuit drags along.
• Other Hoboken photos – See some new pics that made the Hoboken411 gallery this week…

Updates & Events

• The Bacon Truck – Best business news of 2013 in Hoboken.
• Pilsener Haus Maifest – Spring events for both boozing adults and ADD kids.
• Tribeca West – Developer says NYC living is right here in town.
• Head Gear – Lids for your dome. First of it’s kind in Hoboken!
• Clearview Cinemas – More 3D action. You ever wonder if there are subliminal messages encoded into those glasses?

Wake-up Quote of the Week:

“Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.”

Technorati Tags: 14th Street Viaduct, 2013, Anthony Falco, Clearview Cinemas, Dawn Zimmer, DWI, flooding, Head Gear, Hoboken, Hoboken Photo of the day, Hoboken411, Lunch Trucks, Maifest, New Jersey, NJ, Pedestrian killed, Pier 13, Pilsener Haus, Pumps, Real Estate, Reckless drivers, The Bacon Truck, Tribeca West, Week in Review, zimmer, Zimmer divides Hoboken, Zimmer Hypcrisy

Hoboken photo remains of the week: May 18, 2013

What Hoboken photo leftovers made the cut this week?

In the photo gallery below:

• Photo 1: Nice! Clinton Social at 7th & Clinton Streets got a bit of a red touch-up. Much more eye-catching now!
• Photo 2: Watch it disappear. The Rockefeller demolition continues – despite no plans or approvals for what comes next. Hmm.
• Photo 3: What’s your best Skee-Ball score at Little Town NJ? Mine is 440. Beat that!
• Photo 4: I managed to get one mediocre photo of the Halo around the Sun before nature was knocking on my door…
• Photo 5: I never had a picture of Becerra & Associates (tax accountants.) Now I do. Updated their listing accordingly.
• Photo 6: Amazing how you can see the World Trade Center from almost all spots in Hoboken!

Get out and enjoy the rest of your weekend, Hoboken!

Technorati Tags: 2013, Becerra, Clinton Social, Demolition, Halo around sun, Hoboken, Hoboken411, Little Town NJ, May 18, New Jersey, NJ, Photo leftovers, PHOTO OF THE DAY, photography, Rockefeller, Skee Ball, Spring, World Trade Center, WTC

Spire installed – World Trade Center inches closer to completion

Hoboken has always had one of the best front row seats of the NYC Skyline. Before, during and after the 9/11 tragedy, we’ve always been able to witness the transformation of the Big Apple in real time.

Recently, the “spire” for the World Trade Center was hoisted up. Now, residents for miles in all directions know exactly what they’ll be seeing for decades to come.

Below is an enhanced video of the spire installation, but instead of having to wait nine minutes – it has been condensed to just over two!

NOTE: Not for those with a fear of heights! It’s definitely scary!

WTC high in the clouds!

As an added bonus – one Hoboken411 reader took this photo with his cell phone this spring. Very freaky how the cloud swallowed a portion of the WTC to make the cranes on top appear to be coming out of nowhere!

Enjoy your weekend!

Technorati Tags: GoPro, High Speed, Hoboken, New Jersey, NJ, Spire, World Trade Center, WTC