They are finally working once again to finish the Italian Restaurant on Grand and Grove Street. Hopefully it will open soon.

Does anyone know if there are any convenience stores between VVP and Grand St.? Seems that I have to walk to Grove St. to get a newspaper if I want one. Can anyone let me know if there's one that I am missing?

Based on my e-mail response from Trader Joes, I don't think they will be coming to JC.

Thank you for contacting us. At this time we do not have any confirmed plans for a location in this area. However, we keep track of all feedback we receive and have forwarded your suggestion to our Real Estate Department for future site consideration.

Regards,
Nikki
Customer Relations

HOPEFULLY SOON ABBONDANZA TRATTORIA WILL OPEN..AT LIBERTY HARBOR...PLENTY OF FREE PARKING, BRICK OVEN PIZZA, MODERATELY PRICED FAMILY STYLE ITALIAN FOOD

Having convenient stores within walking distance does not make the area loud and busy. I've lived on Mercer and Barrow, and now Varick and Wayne, and both areas are very quiet, and I hear the birds chirping. But unlike in Paulus Hook, I can walk three blocks and pick up stuff to make dinner with.

Surely one of the nice things about Paulus Hook is that there isn't a profusion of shops/take out places etc. I love living in Paulus Hook precisely because it is quiet and not like other parts of the city.

We live in Paulus Hook and the lack of amenities here is pathetic.
Why don't shops open up here, like a bagel shop, pizza joint, breakfast and or lunch eatery, supermarket, bakery, chinese take out, clothing stores, shoe store, blah blah blah??
Anybody know? I mean are there not enough people living here to sustain it? Sure as hell are enough condos. Grrr...

Updates: The dry cleaners is open. Gulls Cove has its own service and I use that so I can't give any review of the business, but I wish them luck. I do know that some neighbors across the street like the business but wish that they would not have the lighted signs on at night (sort of like a Seinfeld episode).

The vintage store never seems to be open.

Cocoa Bakery is building the space out. Plans include a bistro as well. Links to construction can be seen below.

http://www.cocoabakerycafe.com/construction.html

Best of luck to all the retailers. Now if the City would do something about the crazy traffic on Grand Street maybe the neighborhood would be more pedestrian friendly.

All I have to say is I am so thankful they opened an Edible Arrangements store here finally. I know I'll be eating there often (note the sarcasm). High end deli means one thing--$12 sandwiches and they don't carry Ritz crackers. Enjoy. I for one would like to have a clean pedestrian deli.

The neighborhood really needs a gourmet grocery. I hope it's a Garden of Eden.

Any new Deli will be "upscale"
as certainly as
any new Condo will be "luxury"

I have actually seen the vintage store open as well, though its hours are irregular and there is no signage right now.

Signage is up for Cocoa bakery and the dry cleaner's, though they don't look like they are close to being ready to open.

My excitement cannot be contained over the following:

- upscale DELI (finally a good deli??!!!!!!!!)

- gourmet supermarket

- bakery

- Beer Garden (named Zeppelin's!!!!)

I anxiously await all of these businesses.

First of six new stores opens at Liberty Harbor
Monday, November 24, 2008 By CHARLES HACKJOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Flowers never looked so yummy.

An Edible Arrangements franchise is the first business to opens its doors in the Liberty Harbor development in Downtown Jersey City.

Offering its trademark bouquets of fruit arranged in vases and dipped in white and dark chocolate, Edible Arrangements on Grand Street is a model for the type of business Liberty Harbor developers want to fill their remaining storefronts.

"We are looking for commercial users that will enhance the character of Liberty Harbor and service the needs of new residents," said Jeffrey Zak, a principal partner at the Liberty Harbor Development. "But we also want Grand Street to be a destination for the Downtown area."

Natasha Marsch, owner of the Jersey City franchise at 261 Grand St., has been taking orders for parties and functions since the store opened two weeks ago and says business at her new store is beginning to pick up.

"The bouquets look like flowers, but are edible so they are much more practical," Marsch said. "We are convinced it will work as a business model."

Stiff competition and overpriced rents in Manhattan made Jersey City an attractive destination, Marsch said.

She now hopes other stores will bring more foot traffic to the area.

Six of the 16 storefronts along Grand Street are now leased, Zak said.

And the residential units are also filling up.

By the end of the year, when developers hope The Zenith at 9 Regents St. - a new 150-unit loft building - is fully leased, Liberty Harbor will have 500 units occupied, Zak said.

Among the businesses that are in the pipeline to open by spring next year are Abbondanza restaurant, serving Italian food; Cocoa Bakery & Cafe, serving gourmet coffee and homemade pastries and desserts; and a new German-style beer garden, called Zeppelin's. Also on the way are an organic dry cleaner, a vintage clothing store, a gourmet grocery and an upscale deli.