Too often artists struggle with the very real problem of lack of space to express themselves creatively. Yet on a recent Friday night, a bustling party in the Power House Arts District tells a different story. The newly opened public café at 140 Bay Street emerges in the shadows of another artist haven—the former 111 First Street building. The café, called simply The Warehouse by locals, doesn’t plan to compete with the former artists’ space, but it does intend to cater to artists. While the good food and coffee will draw them in, they hope that the artwork displayed throughout the space will bring them back.
The party, thrown by Iulian Paul Moise of Atelier Production, honored Jersey City Magazine for being a strong voice in the Jersey City arts scene. The magazine featured The Warehouse owners Ian Hinonangan and Julius Torres in its Fall/Winter issue as part of the story, “How We Live,” which highlighted the diverse spaces that Jersey City folks call home. As movers and shakers in the city’s arts community, Hinonangan and Torres appeared on the cover.
“It’s my favorite filling for a sandwich. It’s like the mustard on a hot dog.” – Julius Torres
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And if the crowd was any indication, local Jersey City artists have found a new place. Many of the partygoers are active in the arts scene, said artist Egor Panchenko, known as DJ Dr. Shakes.
“For awhile I was disappointed in the [the arts scene],” said Panchenko, who has lived and worked in Jersey City for almost 10 years. “I used to go to 111 First Street [See the story on 111 First in the Fall/Winter issue of Jersey City Magazine] and then it all went away. I thought it was very stale for awhile.” Panchenko says that the arts scene began to come back, but slowly.
“For awhile, it was only 58 Coles Street and Art House Productions that was doing anything,” he said. “But for the 9/11 show, we had over 400 people here.”
The September show, Bird Minus Fish, was a part of the seasonal JC Fridays and also the opening night celebration of The Warehouse. Panchenko worked the opening, but he says he spins only on special occasions. At the recent Friday night party, he spun a mix of dance music accompanied by a stunning visual light display on the concrete wall behind him.
“I really like the space,” he said, indicating the café, which has high ceilings and an industrial feel to it with exposed beams and white walls. “I like the area.”
Food as art
The café has been open only for three weeks and co-owner Torres says that so far the reception has been good. Open seven days a week, Torres offers coffee, tea, baked goods, and sandwiches, with many of the recipes inspired by his grandmother.
“I was 8 years old when I learned to cook,” says Torres. “I helped my grandmother in the kitchen. I was her assistant.”
One of the goodies passed around at the party was Torres’ delicious concoction of coconut and chocolate aptly named the melt bar. Another item, Kate’s New England muffins, was named in honor of Kate Rounds, editor in chief of Jersey City Magazine, who sampled the muffin and declared it a hit:
“It’s got an authentic New England feel to it,” she said. “I’m from there, and it’s no-nonsense, no frills.”
The secret is keeping everything simple, explained Torres, who said the muffins were made mostly with flour, eggs, salted butter, and nutmeg. He keeps the same philosophy with his sandwiches, although Torres, who was born in the Philippines, admits initially he had a hard time with bread. “It was hard for me to develop sandwiches because I’m used to eating rice,” he said.
Yet one taste and it’s hard to find fault with the thin shreds of garlic pork layered with Achara, a Philippine salad of thinly sliced carrots, cucumbers, and radishes dressed in vinegar. “It’s my favorite filling for a sandwich,” he says. “It’s like the mustard on a hot dog.”
Meeting place for artists
Co-owner Hinonangan’s goal is to attract all kinds of artists to the café and to help foster creativity.
“It is a constant quest for who you are and how you express yourself,” Hinonangan said.
On display is Dreidre Kennedy’s art, whose Japanese inspired works were hung for the recent studio tour. Hinonangan says that he and Torres work with Moise, their art director, on the overall direction.
Moise plans to change the art four times a year. They also host a free Thursday night film series. Moise plans to expand the series to include an annual film festival possibly as early as the spring, he says. Ultimately, they want the café to serve as a platform for the community. “I see it as a hangout spot for creative types,” says Hinonangan.
The Warehouse Café and Bistro, 140 Bay St., Jersey City is open seven days a week. Comments on this story can be sent to: editorial@hudsonreporter.com.