In what officials hope will be the next step toward the transformation of the Journal Square Transportation Center (JSTC), Chickpea Restaurant opened on July 9. Mayor Steven Fulop and Mike Marino, acting director of PATH, helped Himani cut the ribbon on the new store.
Situated behind the main escalators to the PATH train platforms, the new restaurant anchors the south side of the transportation facility.
Travelers passing through the JSTC now have another dining option for meals at Chickpea, described at a fast-casual eatery offering freshly-prepared Middle Eastern dishes. Customers can design their own entrees from a menu featuring items that are gluten free, lactose free, vegetarian, vegan, organic, or with hot (spicy) options.
This is the latest step in a plan, to be rolled out over the next few weeks, to provide more services in response to new residential development in the Journal Square area.
A lot going on in Journal Square
After going more than 25 years without a major development, Journal Square has become a hot spot for redevelopment. As many as 20 projects, small and super-sized, are slated for the area.
The first of three towers being constructed by KRE Group has already gone vertical, and when completed will start adding passengers to the PATH system. Other projects nearby are also expected to break ground shortly.
The most immediate and largest is a project called Journal Squared. This three tower 1,840-unit KRE Group development broke ground in October 2014, and is already going vertical on Phase I, a 54-story building situated at the Summit Avenue entrance to the PATH station. This will be followed by 60 and 74-story towers on adjacent properties.
“This grand opening fits in with the planned resurgence of the facility.” – Mike Marino, acting director of PATH.
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Kushner Companies and KABR Group also have plans to construct a stepped apartment tower up to 40 stories behind the old Jersey Journal building at 30 Journal Square. Other projects are also in various stages of planning and approval for the area.
Getting ready for new customers
The grand opening of a new food establishment in the PATH station complex is a big deal, partly because Himani has been a long time tenant of the JSTC at a time when there were numerous vacancies among the stores in the lower mall.
Himani also owns and operates Deli Plus inside JCTC, as well as various other eating establishments in New York and New Jersey.
“I’m very excited to be in Jersey City and a tenant of the Port Authority,” he said. “This is part of a dream. We started 22 years ago right down stairs.”
The Journal Square Deli Plus has been in operation for just over 22 years.
Himani has established a number of very successful food chains, many of which operate in transportation hubs such as Grand Central Terminal, Port Authority Bus Terminal, Penn Station New York, Penn Station Newark, and Hoboken Terminal.
He said he has shared with the Port Authority a common goal of serving the people of Jersey City.
“Through good times and sometimes bad times,” he said. “It is my promise to continue to do so.”
With revitalization and development taking place in Journal Square, the opening of the Chickpea Restaurant is the first of several planned openings of retail/restaurants at the JSTC.
Mayor Steven Fulop said this is part of the renaissance of Jersey City that has been taking place over the last two years. During that time, the city has seen more than 150 new small businesses open.
“It takes a cooperation between the public and private sector, and this really speaks to that,” he said. “So when you see a business opening here that serves healthy and delicious food, we couldn’t be more excited. We look forward to your continued expansion throughout Jersey City.”
He said businesses like these employ Jersey City residents, and are key to the lowering of unemployment.
Marino also celebrated the grand opening.
“This grand opening fits in with the planned resurgence of the facility,” he said. “I want to personally thank Mike and his staff for supporting PATH during those dark days of (Superstorm) Sandy.”
He said the PATH employees worked for seven straight days to try to restore the system.
“Our employees worked around the clock and through Thanksgiving to repair the damaged rail system,” Marino said. “And the Deli Plus staff, which was downstairs providing food and refreshments to this facility, gave a Thanksgiving dinner to all our employees. It made us feel as if we were almost home with our families. They came on and did a tremendous job for the 1,400 employees working to restore the train service and get the system back.”
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.