The end of 2023 and beginning of 2024 hasn’t been particularly kind to Jersey City’s food scene, with the upstart Emma’s in Journal Square the latest restaurant to permanently close.
Emma’s opened in 2020 with take-out service amid the COVID-19 pandemic and then slowly ramped up full service. The restaurant was the brainchild of Emma Latham, the daughter of Latham House owners Kris Yettra and Dan Latham.
Situated in 4 Path Plaza within the Journal Square Transportation Center, Emma’s became a solid breakfast, lunch, and early supper spot for the neighborhood with Southern-themed signature cocktails. But a sign saying “closed for repairs” emerged over the weekend, and the space has been dark since.
Jersey Digs learned that the space has been listed as available for lease through GRID Real Estate, who exclusively oversee leasing operations at the Transportation Center. The lease for Emma’s expired without a renewal, meaning the space will be dark for a bit.
The closing of Emma’s comes amid a booming time for Journal Square, with thousands of new apartments under construction or approved. The restaurant is the second Latham endeavor to shut in recent months, as Latham House closed their Downtown location early last year after a six year run.
The Latham family still has a presence in Jersey City, however. The Table at 3 Acres launched last summer on the West Side and remains open for business.
