Terrence T. McDonald | The Jersey Journal

A battle is brewing in Downtown Jersey City, one that pits the owners of restaurants on and around Newark Avenue against the vendors who set up shop twice weekly at the popular Grove Street farmers market.

The restaurant owners say the farmers market, located outside the PATH station for eight months out of the year, has become less of a market for fresh produce and more of a "food court" where shoppers can get empanadas, pierogies and chicken parmesan, all without having to visit any brick-and-mortar restaurants.

"If the merchants don't make money, is that good for Jersey City?" asked Jeff Fabia, who owns the bar, restaurant and pizza place known as Grove Square at Grove Street and Newark Avenue.