One of the pioneering “new” businesses that set up shop in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood of Jersey City has shut down amid a property sale as O’LaLa Empanadas served their final customers over the weekend.
“Sadly, after 10 wonderful years at our Jersey City O’LaLa location, we must share some bittersweet news,” a social media post from the restaurant stated. “Our lease is up, and the new owner will be demolishing the building.”
O’LaLa Empanadas opened at 600 Communipaw Avenue just over a decade ago. The restaurant’s name served two purposes; besides the obvious French phrase, the founders’ mother was nicknamed Lala, and it reminds them to remain true to her recipes.
“We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your support, love, and patronage throughout the years,” the restaurant’s message continued. “It has been an honor to serve you, and we can’t wait to continue this journey with you, wherever it may lead.”
The star of O’LaLa was obviously their empanadas that included some unique takes Cajun chicken, pork, and sweet plantains, Philly cheese steak, or chipotle shrimp. The restaurant at one point also opened a space on Market Street in Newark near the Prudential Center that ended up shuttering amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The buyer of the Communipaw Avenue property has not been identified, and the sale information does not appear to have yet been made public. No firm redevelopment plans have yet emerged at the property.
