The construction closure of Sixth Street between River Terrace and Hudson Street due to the erection of the Gianforte Family Academic Center has been a center of drama among Stevens students and Hoboken business owners. Even before construction began in August 2017, local groups, such as the Hudson Street Alliance, opposed the university’s original plan to build higher than zoning laws permitted. The Hoboken Historic Preservation Commission was upset by the demolition of the Lieb Building, a barrack built in the 1910s to house Navy sailors during World War I. And before Babbio Garage opened, the closure of the Sixth Street Lot and River Terrace disrupted student parking. Now, the businesses on Washington Street are suffering.
Sixth Street, located among academic buildings, leads to a cluster of popular restaurants on Washington Street, including H&S Giovanni’s, Jefferson’s Coffee, O’Bagel, and Kung Fu Tea. With the road closed, the walk to those restaurants is extended three blocks unless the EAS or ABS buildings are used as shortcuts. The inconvenience has dramatically reduced student traffic and has put pressure on these businesses.
H&S Giovanni’s, nicknamed “Gio’s,” has long been a favorite among Stevens students. The restaurant participates in the DuckBills program and is active in the Stevens community, from advertising in The Stute to fundraising for StevensTHON. However, according to H&S Giovanni’s co-founder, Shpend Malota, lunch-hour business has dropped by 80% since the closure of Sixth Street. Ten to 15 students may trickle in during the early afternoon, said Malota, when formerly a hundred would do the same.
“[Gio’s loss of business] is visible,” said Brian Bazergui, a third-year Stevens student. “You can see it’s a lot emptier in there. It’s not as hopping. It’s saddening. [Gio’s] was the restaurant I went to because it was so close. I go there more often than not now because I want to keep them in business.”
As construction continues, going out of business is no longer a distant hypothetical. A month ago, Malota watched It’s Greek To Me close down across the street.
A few doors down from the recently vacated storefront, Jefferson’s Coffee is also fighting to retain business amid ongoing construction. The young shop, offering Direct Trade coffee with no tax, tried to hire as many students as possible and has taken to social media to regain business. “We believe students are our biggest asset,” J.Efe Maruflu, the shop’s wholesale partner, said. Despite pressure from construction, Jefferson’s Coffee continues to offer student discounts.
O’Bagel, for its part, has felt less of an impact. According to one employee, ongoing Washington Street construction and limited parking are larger issues than the closure of Sixth Street. A chef, noting that the Stevens Lacrosse team continues to make frequent visits, added that students continue to be among the shop’s largest clientele. But O’Bagel seems to be in a minority, and other quick-service shops, such as Kung Fu Tea, have noted fewer students swinging by between classes.
One student, who asked to remain anonymous, voiced his concern that the Sixth Street closure could be the start of a detrimental trend. Using Gio’s as an example, he explained, “Gio’s was the go-to place for a lot of people. But now with Sixth Street closed, there are going to be at least two generations of students who don’t know to ‘just go to Gio’s.’ And when they become upperclassmen, the incoming students will ask where they should go for food, and nobody will say Gio’s because they didn’t ‘grow up’ on it.”
Despite the effects which the construction of the Academic Center have had on local businesses, Robert Maffia, Vice President for Facilities and Campus Operations, said he had not heard directly from any of the shops. According to Maffia, Sixth Street is expected to reopen in July 2019. However, he added, “If we find an opportunity to open it sooner, with […] Sixth Street not being in the construction zone, we certainly will.”
While an earlier opening of Sixth Street would be a relief to local businesses and students alike, in the meantime, students can continue to visit these restaurants using alternate routes.
Be First to Comment