More details have been revealed regarding a story we first reported last August.
In the summer of 2016, it was revealed that the space occupied by a Rainbow clothing store at 145 Newark Avenue in Downtown Jersey City along the pedestrian mall would be converted by a company called 145 Restaurant, Inc., of Jersey City, into restaurant space. At the time, a change.org petition opposing the proposed use gained 722 signatures.
Now, developers are planning for there to be not one, but two businesses operating from the location. According to City records, the building is set to be renovated and converted into a 18,951 space that would be shared by two separate restaurants/bars. The one-story structure’s rooftop would feature seating for the establishments. The Jersey City Planning Board approved the application for Preliminary and Final Site Plan approval during its August 15th meeting.
According to proprietor Kenneth Caulfield, the restaurants will be another location of Hoboken’s 1 Republik as well as another restaurant named 26 Below. Caulfield told Jersey Digs that he is not sure yet when the businesses will open and how many seats each space will have, but he expects a “fine dining gastropub” feel.
“I think it’s going to be a positive addition,” he stated, explaining that “it’s going to be an extra feature for Jersey City.”
1 Republik is the same company that runs sports bars in Hoboken and North Arlington, and the organization won approval to acquire a Jersey City liquor license.
The Downtown Rainbow was one of four locations in Jersey City run by the Brooklyn-based chain. There are remaining stores in The Heights, at the Hudson Mall, and Journal Square.
