Dumpy areas upgraded in Hoboken
3/16/2011:
14th Street Retail – visual improvements
Back in 2008 – I posted a story about “Dumpy areas in Hoboken,” which spoke about 14th St. & Bloomfield – and how it looked somewhat “ghetto-like.” That’s still somewhat cruddy (although Puerto Spain touched up their exterior a bit.)
But right across the street wasn’t much better. However, since the fire at Nick’s Candy Shop a year ago – they’ve pulled together and spruced up a whole row of stores – including the new Hoboken Hair salon (and the for rent space in the middle).
Gotta say, starting to look much, much better!
Urban Revitalization Needed!
5/16/2008:
Have you noticed that certain spots in Hoboken just look downright awful and out of place? Almost dumpy and “ghetto-like?” Sore thumbs in the middle of million-dollar condos?
One such area that stood out for me last week was this spot on 14th and Bloomfield. We have Puerto Spain – missing a sign, the bagel shop, which seems closed most of the time with that ugly metal shutter, and the liquor store, which also has a deteriorating sign and outdated store-front.
This, and several other areas in Hoboken are in need of “urban renewal” or something along those lines. While we have a Historic Preservation Committee, I believe we also need a “Minimum Exterior Aesthetics Committee” as well. Heck, I’ll even volunteer to be the “$1 per year advisor.” We can negotiate volume contracts with a sign & awning company, a building contractor, etc. and help provide affordable options for local businesses to spruce things up.
Don’t other cities have some kind of “Urban Re-vitalization” department, or something similar?
Hey, Lay off the bagel/breakfast store and Uptown Liquors. Store fronts may lack flash, but owner-proprietors know and take care of their patrons and neighbors. They are the character that makes Hoboken enjoyable as opposed to some of the I-hate-my-job numbsculls who man the registers providing “customer service” at the chain drugstores. Further, you may be surprised to learn that the Uptown “LIQUORS” sign is a special sign with special protection — it is one of the last that has rotating lights. It is often broken b/c of what the owner has to go through to fix it given its historic landmark.
FWIW stinky’s has 10 dollar sangria pitchers which aren’t half bad, especially considering the price. A+++ would get sloppy there again!
Lola’s is decent (if over-priced), the bagel place is decent, and Puerto Spain is fantastic (if a little grubby on the outside). The interior of Puerto Spain is actually very nice.
[quote comment=”83494″]If the bagel place is so gross – why is there a 10 minute wait for breakfast every Saturday and Sunday morning?
Lola’s is overpriced.[/quote]
Agreed. I rarely get up that way, but I like their bagels. Hoboken Hot Bagels are the best though.
I don’t like Lola’s either, I guess I am just not a big tapas fan. I can eat almost anything and it doesn’t bother me, but the couple of times I went there, my stomach was totally hating on me the next day!
If the bagel place is so gross – why is there a 10 minute wait for breakfast every Saturday and Sunday morning?
Lola’s is overpriced.