Covid-19 resources

COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY STRATEGY

The City of Hoboken COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Strategy permits businesses to expand outdoor space on the sidewalk, create shared outdoor spaces as strEATERIES and Parklets, and creates a framework for businesses to operate further into the street during scheduled road closures. As re-opening guidelines from the State of New Jersey allow for limited indoor capacity, the City of Hoboken is proactively maximizing outdoor space for businesses to provide safe areas for customers. Learn more by reviewing the Hoboken COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Strategy presentation and Winter Outdoor Dining presentation. #hobokenstrong #lovelocal

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Hoboken's Small Business Recovery Strategy includes flexible options to facilitate outdoor expansion by local businesses, and permits the following types of outdoor capacity expansion through an expedited approval process.

The application process provides general design guidelines for sidewalk cafes, stEATERIES, and parklets. Every application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to accommodate different locations and types of businesses.

Apply for a strEATERY

Apply for a Parklet

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Restaurants must abide by the Outdoor Dining Protocols and Process to Expand Premises for Liquor License Holders outlined in the Governor's Executive Orders and New Jersey Department of Health Executive Directive.

Summary of Options for Expanding Outdoor Capacity

‍Sidewalk Cafe Expansion

Daily outdoor sidewalk cafes can extend hours of operation by one hour on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.

Sidewalk cafes can expand area with or without barriers, so long as 6 feet of sidewalk width is maintained. Businesses can expand outdoor cafes to adjacent properties with the neighboring property owner’s consent.

Tables in the sidewalk cafe must be 6 feet apart measured from backs of opposite chairs to promote social distancing.

How to Apply

Apply for a Sidewalk Cafe

A sidewalk cafe is the outdoor eating space that is on the sidewalk and is directly associated with a restaurant or bar. Parklets and StrEATERIES are in the street and separate from this application process. See applications for parklets and strEATERIES below.

1. Download the sidewalk café application
2. Send application and all required documents together via email to hpc@hobokennj.gov‍
3. Your application will be processed as quickly as possible and your license will be returned to you via email.

‍License Renewal

The license renewal process has been streamlined for this year and the fees have been waived.  You only need to submit the completed application form, confirmation of insurance.‍

If you want to expand your café area beyond where it has been in past years, either further out into the sidewalk or in front of a neighboring business (as permitted by the COVID-19 business recovery ordinance) you will also need to provide the following:

1. A sketch of the expanded café area including length and width of the café and the width of the sidewalk.  Measure from the outer edge of the café to the curb and from the cafe to any existing obstructions such as trees, lampposts, benches or bus shelters; and
2. If expanding in front of another building/business, you must submit two letters: one from the owner of the neighboring building and one from the business owner approving your use of their sidewalk.

New Licensees

Applicants who have not held a Sidewalk Café license previously must file a complete application and all of the required documents. The application must be accompanied by:

1. Proof of insurance;
2. Health Department certification;
3. A letter from your landlord authorizing use of the sidewalk;
4. An architectural drawing of the café area with detailed measurements of the café and sidewalk.
5. New applicants proposing to use space to the right or left of their own storefront must also supply letters from the owner of the neighboring building and the owner of the adjacent business.

Questions? Please contact Zoning Officer Ann Holtzman at aholtzman@hobokennj.gov

Liquor Licenses

If you are a liquor license holder and plan to expand your café area beyond what is already covered by your liquor license you must apply for a “COVID-19 Expansion of Premises” license.  This fast-track application is available on the State ABC POSSE Portal.

Your expansion of premises must be approved by theHoboken Police Department (Lt. Kucz), ABC Board Secretary (Suzanne Hetman), and the State ABC Division before alcoholic beverages may be served in the expanded area.

Questions? Please contact Lt. Kucz at kuczc@hobokenpd.org

StrEATERY: new outdoor shared spaces

Daily outdoor, shared public space that temporarily converts curbside parking spaces for outdoor dining where take-away food and beverages can be consumed.

Dining space must be separated from adjacent parking and travel lane using moveable safety barriers such as barricades, planters, bollards, or similar structures.

Tables in the strEATERY must be 6 feet apart measured from backs of opposite chairs to promote social distancing.

SUMMARY OF STREATERY APPROVAL PROCESS

How to Apply

Apply for a new strEATERY

Questions? Please contact City Engineer Olga Garcia at engineering@hobokennj.gov

Liquor Licenses

If you are a liquor license holder and plan to expand your capacity beyond what is already covered by your liquor license  into a strEATERY or parklet you must apply for a “COVID-19 Expansion of Premises” license.  This fast-track application is available on the State ABC POSSE Portal.

Your expansion of premises must be approved by theHoboken Police Department (Lt. Kucz), ABC Board Secretary (Suzanne Hetman), and the State ABC Division before alcoholic beverages may be served in the expanded area.

Questions? Please contact Lt. Kucz at kuczc@hobokenpd.org

Parklets: new outdoor shared spaces

Seasonal outdoor, shared public space that temporarily converts curbside parking into a mini-park as a platform extension of the sidewalk. Parklets can be used for retail or outdoor dining where take-away food and beverages can be consumed.

Dining space must be enclosed from adjacent parking and travel lane using built-in safety barriers such as planters, benches, walls, railings, and bollards.

Tables in the Parklet must be 6 feet apart measured from backs of opposite chairs to promote social distancing.

SUMMARY OF PARKLET APPROVAL PROCESS

How to Apply

Apply for a new Parklet

Questions? Please contact City Engineer Olga Garcia at engineering@hobokennj.gov

Liquor Licenses

If you are a liquor license holder and plan to expand your capacity beyond what is already covered by your liquor license  into a strEATERY or parklet you must apply for a “COVID-19 Expansion of Premises” license.  This fast-track application is available on the State ABC POSSE Portal.

Your expansion of premises must be approved by the Hoboken Police Department (Lt. Kucz), ABC Board Secretary (Suzanne Hetman), and the State ABC Division before alcoholic beverages may be served in the expanded area.

‍‍Questions? Please contact Lt. Kucz at kuczc@hobokenpd.org

Open streets for businesses

Outdoor, shared public space that temporarily close up to 3 contiguous blocks of specific roadways on Sundays from 9 AM - 8 PM and Thursdays from 6 PM - 11 PM (schedule may change).

Open Streets expand outdoor seating capacity for businesses with additional space, as opposed to congregating or a “block party.” The City provides required police, sanitation, and barricades for scheduled road closures.

Open streets for business build off pilot open streets on Jefferson Street , Park Avenue, and Adams Street to facilitate additional socially distanced space for pedestrians for biking, walking and jogging.

How to Apply

Apply for an Open Street

Questions? Please contact City Engineer Olga Garcia at engineering@hobokennj.gov

Liquor Licenses

Existing licensee must file for an "Event Permit Expansion of Premises" application for approval by the NJ State ABC. The area in which alcohol will be served/consumed must be gated from the rest of the open street. Security from the licensed establishment must secure the entry and exit of said area to ensure identifications are checked upon entry for legal age and liquor does not leave gated area.

Your expansion of premises must be approved by the Hoboken Police Department (Lt. Kucz), ABC Board Secretary (Suzanne Hetman), and the State ABC Division before alcoholic beverages may be served in the expanded area.

Liquor License Questions? Please contact Lt. Kucz at kuczc@hobokenpd.org

Expanded Retail Use of Sidewalks

Retail businesses and services can use the area in front of their stores to display merchandise during business hours. Any new temporary signage associated with the retail use shall comply with the Zoning Code.

No application is required.

Fees

Sidewalk café fees are waived for 2020, and those with existing 2020 licenses will be credited in 2021.

The City is exploring various options with the Hoboken Business Alliance and other groups to help subsidize the cost of the streateries, parklets, and open streets.

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