The Jersey City Independent "

Hudson County baker Buddy Valastro, better known to the TV-watching public as the “Cake Boss,” is looking for someone to fill his flour-covered shoes. In his newest TLC show, Next Great Baker, 10 pastry chefs will compete with the goal of winning $50,000 cash and a chance to work side by side with Valastro at Carlo’s Bakery. The next prince of pastries could be Jersey City’s Greg “Greggy” Soriano.

Share/Save In the Spring/Summer issue of NEW, when we broke down the best — and the worst — of Jersey City’s diners, the reader reaction proved one thing: New Jerseyans are passionate about their greasy spoons, breakfast haunts and down-home dining options. Now Garden State-based Palisades Car Insurance is hoping to tap into that passion [...]

Share/Save- Dwek Won’t Testify in Smith Trial: The U.S. attorney’s office says that it doesn’t plan to call FBI informant Solomon Dwek to testify in the trial of L. Harvey Smith, which is scheduled to begin today. – United Water Lawsuit: Several Hudson County residents have filed a class action lawsuit against United Water on [...]

Crossing Route 139 by foot during morning rush hour — a feat required to get from my home in the Heights to the Journal Square PATH — should be done only after ingesting caffeine. Dodging cars in that messy intersection requires cat-like reflexes and a certain level of awareness. Beau Cafe, a new coffee shop on Summit Avenue, helps prepare commuters for their daily trek, but as one of the shop’s managing partners explains, it does much more than that.

Share/SaveThe MLK HUB’s newest tenant has officially opened its doors, marking another milestone in what city officials hope is the continued revitalization of the Jersey City shopping plaza long plagued by vacancies. A nearly 4,000-square-foot McDonald’s franchise has opened in the former Burger King space, one of several vacancies at the shopping center that on-site [...]

Share/SaveA “large turkey donation” to the Jersey City Salvation Army has fallen through the cracks, and the organization is looking for anyone who would like to step up and donate a turkey today for its annual Thanksgiving dinner that serves those in need. If you can help, contact Lynnann M. Rivers at 201-435-7355 or lrivers [...]

Share/Save- Health Benefits for Retirees: Jersey City police and fire union representatives are threatening the City Council with litigation if it goes ahead with plans to limit lifetime health benefits to only those workers who have 25 years of service in the city. – New Mural Downtown: At the urging of the Jersey City Mural [...]

“We decided to open the Warehouse because we love this neighborhood,” Hinonangan says. “We live in the PAD. We see its immense potential to be the entertainment hub of Jersey City.”

Share/SaveThe Buon Italia gourmet market in NYC’s Chelsea Market is expanding to this side of the Hudson, having signed a lease to occupy retail space in Downtown Jersey City’s Trump Plaza Residences. The 25-year-old Italian food company’s Jersey City outpost will include a cafe/wine bar/pastry shop/gelateria with counter seating in addition to its assortment of [...]

Share/SaveAfter making the final three, Jersey City’s “Farms in the City” urban agriculture initiative fell a little short in GOOD magazine’s R+D competition. Jersey City’s proposal, which was hashed out at an August workshop, was one of three finalists, along with Chattanooga and San Francisco. The latter’s “Walk Stop” idea, which is aimed at making [...]