Jersey City Magazine Spring | Summer 2022

SPRING | SUMMER 2022

Inside Sea the City Wild About Animals Drag Bingo at Gringo’s

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CONTENTS JCM

COVER 30 INFLUENTIAL STYLE Denise Mercedes Shapes Fashion Cover Image

by Gerri Torres

FEATURES 25 JC READY Cannabis Industry

26 WATER ON THE WATER Sea the City

28 GROWING UP Vertical Farming in JC

14

DEPARTMENTS hang out for a while, Liberty where they lots of photos. and, of course, take Instagrammed and “It’s very heavily “There are a lot of TikToked,” he says. aming and things like selfies and live-stre

Wa te r on th e

TER?

WA th e C it y Se a xu ry Ho t Tu b in a Lu

By Tara Ryazansky Photo by Tina Winslow at Liberty oats bob in the water amongst Landing Marina. Docked catas is a large the yachts and sailboat It t from all the rest. maran that’s differen its wellwith blends in well enough but it certainly isn’t c, aestheti d designe tub Sea the City’s hot like the others. It’s in kind only one of its boat, the first and area. the New York City out at first “I don’t think it stands inspect it a glance, but when people to inquire about little closer they start can’t always see You is. it what exactly the you’re standing at the hot tubs when Adam Schwartz, the dock looking,” says of Sea the City. owner and founder

B

Unique Ride

just how unique On the deck, it’s clear offers. It allows pasof a ride this boat out city while hanging sengers to see the in luxury hot tubs. operating out of been has City Sea the seasons as a jet ski the marina for seven rental business. was I When “I am a lifelong boater. my I decided to make about 40 years old s. That’s when I startpassion my busines

s,” says Schwartz, ed my jet ski busines as a business who previously worked looking for always consultant. “I was expand into.” another business to ago, I started to “A couple of years hot tub boats small see all of these very world. They’re in that exist around the Seattle, Vancouver, London, Amsterdam, them and they’re just basically you rent for very They’re e. sort of off the waterlin not what we calm waterways. That’s the tz gestures toward have here,” Schwar hectic harbor. intrigued and Still, Schwartz was a was a way to make wondered if there of in the busy waters boat like that work Jersey City.

ch Starting From Scrat

Yorker so my men“I’m a lifelong New of like, there’s nothtality is always sort here,” he says with ing we shouldn’t have thinking about how a laugh. “I started to the much concept that adapt we could that we have in New more active water putting together York Harbor. I started a much bigger platthat idea of having with a captain and tubs larger and form, boat builders. We crew. We worked with who had experience found a boat builder

6 OUR STAFF

that.”

Party Vibe

from scratch.” in the harbor. We started long vessel The result was a 40-foottubs. fitted with two hot for the purpose “It’s built specifically that and the waterway we’re using it for, tz explains. we’re in,” Schwar in September 2020.

The boat launched but outdoor ac“COVID was an issue, in general were tivities and water sports strong very a very, all the rage. We had from the get-go was year. The feedback really enjoyed havvery positive. People a to socialize in. It’s ing an outdoor space city,” Schwartz says. great way to see the e. You always wonfortunat “We’re very when you have a new der how it will go a cool way to make concept. It’s a pretty time among people living and spend your elmingly in a good who are just overwh mood.”

Enjoy the View

in a bad mood while How could you be and taking in the relaxing in a hot tub ? views along the Hudson guests out takes Schwartz typically of toward the Statue of the marina and

reserved for a flat Each private tub is to 10 guests. You can fee and can hold up for a party of 20, charter the entire boat d enough so that but the tubs are separate can have its own each side of the boat are going on simultavibe if two parties neously. the atmosphere varSchwartz says that

guests. ies depending on the way. If there are “We designed it this they’re far enough two different groups its own music sysapart. Each tub had people twerking in tem, so you can have just chilling people and tub the forward gne in the aft tub and and sipping champa tz the other,” Schwar neither detracts from depends on what the explains. “It really get We’ve had people it. of make guests who come out engaged, just a couple had we’ve l, and and it ends in a proposa It runs the parties. really fun birthday

6 CONTRIBUTORS Photo Courtesy of Sea the City

14 ON THE JOB WITH The Animal Program at LSC

17 POINT AND SHOOT

gamut.” most of his passenSchwartz says that gers are locals.

Enchanted Evenings

Bough to the City

doing special “We see a lot of locals sary, a birthday or events like an anniver bachelorette party.” its course toward Next, the boat takes Sea the City ofCenter.

Trade the World with openings seven fers a 90-minute ride 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. days a week from city right off the “You see the whole says. tz Schwar bough,” of the view.

He doesn’t get sick life for me and “It’s a pretty charmed for my team.” for Sea the City It’s pretty charmed CM passengers as well.—J

18 HOW WE LIVE Downtown Vibe

22 | 24 DID YOU KNOW

SeaTheCity.com SeaTheCity on Instagram and TikTok

Photo by Tina Winslow

e ~ SPRING

Jersey CITY Magazin

24 • Jersey CITY

Magazine ~ SPRING

| SUMME R 2022

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4 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022

• 25 | SUMME R 2022

Firefighting Trailblazer The Colgate Clock

32 THE EATERY Drag Bingo at Gringo’s

Spring | Summer 2022 Volume 19 • Number 1 Published twice annually A Publication of Newspaper Media Group

PUBLISHER Perry Corsetti ART DIRECTOR Terri Saulino Bish DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Tish Kraszyk

DANIEL ISRAEL

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Ron Kraszyk CIRCULATION Luis Vasquez FINANCIAL Sharon Metro Jersey City Magazine is published by the Newspaper Media Group, 166-168 Broadway, Bayonne, New Jersey 07002, (201) 798-7800, Fax (201) 798-0018. Email bayonnemag@ hudsonreporter.com. Subscriptions are $10 per year, $25 for overseas, single copies are $7.50 each, multiple copy discounts are available.

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Jersey City Magazine is a publication of Newspaper Media Group 166-168 Broadway, Bayonne, New Jersey 07002 phone 201.798.7800

VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ

DANIEL ISRAEL

is a writer and videographer.

He first set foot in Bayonne in 2018. Ever since, his life has centered around the city. When he’s not working, Daniel enjoys relaxing in 16th Street Park and visiting Bayonne’s coffee shops and eateries.

VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ

has studied photography, publication design, and graphic arts. “I’ve been fascinated by photography for 20 years,” he says.

MAXIM RYAZANSKY

MAXIM RYAZANSKY

is a photographer whose work has been exhibited in galleries and published worldwide.

A recent transplant to Bayonne, he spends his spare time trying to figure out the best pizza place in town.

TARA RYAZANSKY

is a writer who moved from Brooklyn to Bayonne.

She works as a blogger for Nameberry.com and spends her spare time fixing up her new (to her) 100-year-old home.

TERRI SAULINO BISH is the art director for The Hudson Reporter’s award-winning magazines and newspapers. Her work includes capturing many of the iconic photos featured in print and online across Hudson County.

6 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022

TARA RYAZANSKY

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Chelsey Skidmore

Wild A bout Ani Anim m als Liberty Science Center

By Tara Ryazansky Photos by Max Ryazansky

C

helsey Skidmore coaxes a huge tarantula onto a piece of bark with a blush brush, of all things.

“I’m not doing her makeup,” Skidmore explains that it’s just a way to gently move the Chilean rose hair tarantula without touching her. “She isn’t fuzzy and soft.

She’s not an animal that you would want to pet. The hair on her body is actually a defense mechanism. She can flick off her hairs and they can irritate her predators.”

The crowd that has gathered, myself included, takes a little step back upon learning that information. Skidmore assures us, “They really get a bad rep.

People think of them as scary. The truth

is that most animals are not aggressive by nature at all. They just want to eat, and they don’t want to get eaten. As long as you’re respectful, there’s no reason to be scared of any animal. Even if they look really different from us, like a tarantula.”

Up Close At The Touch Tank Skidmore is the Animal Program Coordinator at Liberty Science Center.

She works with 110 species of live animals who call the museum home. She brings me upstairs to see a few.

In the Our Hudson Home exhibition, guests learn about the animals and environment of Jersey City. You can even connect with some of them up close at the Touch Tank.

Right now we’re headed to the next floor where the Wild About Animals exhibit is

14 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022

located. The animals who live here come from places that are far from Jersey City.

Cotton-top tamarin monkeys play inside of their enclosure. Skidmore says that because they are a critically endangered species they can’t come out to meet guests like some of the other animals here.

Endangered animals are a big part of what inspired Skidmore to pursue her career. She remembers coming to Liberty Science Center for class trips when she was growing up in Edison.

“I was the kid in the class that was really psyched to come and experience this.

I loved anything to do with animals and science.”

She says she was especially inspired by the topic of conservation. She’s still passionate about sharing that with guests.

Hard Topics and Hope “We don’t shy away from that. It can be difficult to talk about something like poaching, especially with younger guests, but it’s very important. What we focus on here is that there’s so much hope, and there’s so much being protected. The cotton-top tamarins are critically endangered, but there are projects and groups making a concerted effort to help conserve them and their habitats. There’s a lot of good stuff going on and we want to share that and hopefully contribute to that.”

The animals at Liberty Science Center aren’t just here to look at.

“The technical term for the animals here is animal ambassadors. They’re representatives of their wild species so that we as members of the human species can make a connection with them.

Hopefully, that will inspire people, especially our younger generations, to want to help them in the wild,” Skidmore says. “As you’re growing and learning, things that are ingrained in your mind and your heart are going to affect you in the future as far as your decisions. If our younger generation is ingrained with a connection to these animals, respect for these animals, understanding that they’re so important, along with their habitat, it’s going to affect their decision making in the future.”

A Resistant Species The animal species at Liberty Science Center are curated to teach guests about specific topics.

Skidmore points out the naked mole rat exhibit. These creatures crawl around through a tunnel system. They aren’t as cute as the tamarins, but Skidmore says that they’re just as important.

“These animals as a species have stumped scientists. They don’t show signs of aging. They live much longer than mammals of their size,” Skidmore says that scientific studies show that these animals are resistant to cancers. “Humans would like to replicate that and use it to make sure that we’re healthier. Our naked mole rat colony here is a representative of their species and their importance. This is an extreme example of how we can learn from animals.

Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022 • 15

ON THE JOB WITH JCM

Ecosystems and Essentials “Animals aren’t something just hanging out in your backyard or a nuisance getting into your garage or the spider running around in your house. Animals are an essential part of our ecosystem, which we’re a part of, too. That means

the more that we can learn about them and how they function and how they survive and how they adapt, the more that is going to ultimately help us.”

A big part of Skidmore’s workday is enriching these important animals.

“Enrichment means we’re giving our animals new things to interact with,” Skidmore says.

For some animals, like the Argentine Black and White Tegu, that simply means acclimating to being held, but for others, it means going through exercises that can make for a fun show for guests.

“One of my favorite enrichments is a really big climber that we built in-house for some of our snakes.”

When I hear the word snake I get a little nervous. Personally, I would take a tarantula or even a Madagascar hissing cockroach over a snake.

From a distance, Skidmore introduces me to Rosie, a red-tailed boa constrictor. The snake wraps itself around Skidmore, who assures me that it doesn’t hurt.

Exercise and Play “It’s very similar to a child holding onto your shoulders when you pick them up.”

Soon, Rosie is wrapping herself around the wooden spokes of the climb16 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022

er. Skidmore says that this enrichment exercise helps the snake build strength and develop her natural curiosity as she uses her senses. A crowd forms and Skidmore answers questions about the animal.

“Have you ever been to a playground before?” Skidmore asks the kids in the group. “Rosie likes to climb, too. She usually likes to be in the rainforest, but I couldn’t bring the whole rainforest inside.”

Everyone is captivated by Rosie and Skidmore, who interacts with each guest while monitoring the snake as it climbs. However, Skidmore gets mixed reactions when she asks if anyone wants to pet Rosie.

Skidmore says she’s used to that.

As she explains more about Rosie’s features some reluctant folks in the back step up to touch Rosie. I pet her, too.

“When I was a kid I was the one who was leading the charge with anything hands-on. I see kids come in with that same high level of energy,” Skidmore explains. “We also have people come in who are a little apathetic or even nervous around animals. Then I’m the one who gets to spark that in them. I love to show them the animal that they’re nervous about in a whole different way. It’s fantastic.” —JCM

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Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022 • 17

Tony, Lynn, and Mia

By Tara Ryazansky Photos by Max Ryazansky

A Downtown Vibe Lynn Hazan might be best known as Chicpea around Jersey City, but in her downtown apartment, she’s mom to 9-year-old Mia and soon-tobe wife to fiancé Tony Bush. The trio invited Jersey City Magazine over to show us their place.

“I’ve never done a house tour before,” Hazan says as she welcomes us into her bright kitchen.

The two-bedroom apartment has an open floor plan that leads into a comfortable living space.

She isn’t new to the building. Hazan lived downstairs in a smaller place with Mia for years. Then, around a year ago when her lease was up and she was getting serious with Bush, the couple decided to move in together.

“We went to see a few apartments and this one was perfect,” Hazan says.

Even though the new place was just an elevator ride away, the move wasn’t as easy as one would think.

“It made it harder in a lot of ways simply because we didn’t have to pack everything properly and put it in a truck and move once,” Bush says.

He recalls bringing items up by the armful. “It became more drawn out.”

But now they’re mostly settled in, though Bush, who works in NYC real estate, has a few DIY projects on the agenda. He wallpapered the bathroom and, next, he will build some Lego displays to showcase the Harry Potter sets he creates with Mia. “When we moved in together I didn’t want for it to be just my stuff and my aesthetic,” Hazan says that the pair picked some new furniture together and always work on customizing their space. “The most recent addition is Tony’s little studio. It’s his music area where he gets in the zone.”

Bush was in a band called Scenes From A Movie that played Warped Tour years ago. He and his former bandmate still release music under that name.

18 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022

“We also recently made a little meditation space,” Hazan says, showing me the area in the bedroom. “The city can get stressful with all of the hustle and bustle so I try to have balance.”

The space includes a kneeling desk where Hazan can journal or meditate. She has candles, sage and a Tibetan singing bowl ready to go.

Above that is a collage board of photos that look like a more personal version of her Instagram page. One photo of Hazan and Bush looks like a frame from a movie.

“One of our first trips to gether when we first started dating was to California.

That’s where that picture is from,” Hazan says. “I think a lot of our apartment is almost inspired by that trip. It was a beach, boho vibe. We always talk about that trip. It really solidified our relationship.”

The couple, who are planning a summer wedding, met on Hinge.

“I had never had any experience with online dating before,” Bush says.

He joined the app because his friend met his fianceé that way.

“I was dating for a couple of years since my divorce,” Hazan says. “It was just always so stressful.”

Hazan saw Bush’s profile and reached out.

“I was only on it for literally a day and a half when she messaged me,” Bush says. “The rest is history.”

“It was very unexpected. We met and it was just instant best friends,” Hazan says.

The couple became serious quickly.

“We made big decisions about the relationship early on,” Bush says.

“But it wasn’t fast and intense. It was an inner knowing.

We’re right for each other,” Hazan adds. “I think our relationship has made us better and we motivate each other.”

Home is also a workspace for Hazan, who has grown from local blogger to influencer. But that’s not all that she does.

“I run a marketing agency,” she says.

Hazan is the founder of AIM Media. “We run about 15

Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022 • 19

HOW WE LIVE JCM

social media accounts.

We’re posting every day and responding to DMs. It’s a lot.”

Her dining table doubles as her desk, but in the evening all of the technology gets hidden away in a storage basket.

Hazan continues to work as a culture, lifestyle and food writer as @lynnhazan_ on Instagram as well. She still focuses on Jersey City, but she features everything from international travel to fashion.

Hazan says that she’s grateful for her platform and her followers, but as her content has grown, so have her boundaries.

“I’m subject to a lot of online trolling and bullying,” Hazan explains. “Unfortunately it’s always been this way. People are haters. Especially of a woman who is unapologetically herself, who’s opinionated, who takes care of herself, who travels. Haters are gonna hate.”

“It can get very brutal,” Bush says.

“Especially when it’s misogynistic, racist and antisemitic,” Hazan says. “Recently, because I made these boundaries, when someone makes these comments I just block them right away. I’d rather have less followers than have that kind of energy around my page. It comes from a place of self-love. I am much happier

now that I have boundaries around my social media.”

The couple has a strict rule.

No phones in the bedroom.

“At night we leave the phones out here and it’s our time to hang out. We have our nightly routines. That keeps us centered and it helps our relationship connect after a long stressful day. We try to make this place a sanctuary away from stress.”

The couple created a chill ambiance in their room and the common area of the apartment. Hazan says they were going for a “Zen and spa-like” vibe. But I see a pop of color in another corner of the house.

It’s Mia’s room.

“Mia’s room is so cool,” Bush says.

“It’s very eclectic,” Hazan adds. “Whenever she’s here this becomes her place. With toys everywhere!”

“My old room was small,” Mia says.

“In our last apartment it was just me and her kind of starting over,” Hazan says. “Mia went from a tiny room to a lot of space.»

Now it’s time for dinner. The dining room has transitioned from workspace to family table.

I ask Hazan if she could ever see herself leaving Jersey City.

20 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022

“Our life is here. Mia’s school is here. My business is here. We love Jersey City,” Hazan says “We have everything downtown. You can walk on the waterfront. We have Van Vorst Park, which is such a pretty and whimsical park.”

While the couple doesn’t plan to move to the suburbs anytime soon, they say that this isn’t their forever home.

They hope to buy something a little bit bigger in the future.

They might need an extra bedroom.

“You know the scene from My Cousin Vinny? Well, my biological clock is ticking,” Hazan says.

“We might need to do another house tour next year,” Bush adds.

Hazan says, “We can do a part two.”—JCM

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Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022 • 21

Mayor Steven Fulop congratulates Dwayne Taylor as he is promoted to battalion chief.

Dwayne and seven other firefighters were promoted by the Jersey City Fire Department in a ceremony on Jan. 13.

Grandson of firefighting trailblazer reaches new heights

By Daniel Israel Photos courtesy of City of Jersey City

T

he grandson of Jersey City’s first Black firefighter received a promotion to battalion chief in January. He and seven other firefighters were promoted by the Jersey City Fire Department in a ceremony on Jan. 13.

Dwayne Taylor is a third-generation firefighter in Jersey City. Thomas Gerald 22 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022

Taylor, his grandfather, made history in 1950 when he was hired by the JCFD. Through years of hard work and dedication, he rose to the rank of captain.

Taylor also served as the president of the Jersey City branch of the NAACP, and cofounded a civic organization for Black and minority firefighters from northern New Jersey municipalities known as the Vulcan Pioneers.

“I share this proud day with my family and community,” said Battalion Chief Dwayne Taylor back in January.

DID YOU KNOW JCM

Thomas Gerald Taylor made history in 1950 when he was hired by the JCFD. “It started with my grandfather breaking through boundaries as the first Black firefighter in one of New Jersey’s largest cities, and it continues today with me being promoted to Battalion Chief. It’s something my grandfather likely never imagined would happen 60 years later.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to carry on my grandfather’s and father’s legacies by serving this great community.”

“One of our promoted Battalion Chiefs is the grandson of Jersey City’s first African American firefighter, Thomas Gerald Taylor,” said Mayor Steven Fulop. “This speaks volumes about the progress we’ve made, especially since we prioritized diversity recruitment over the past eight years. In fact, six of the eight firefighters promoted represent minority populations.

I think it’s safe to say Firefighter Taylor would be very proud to see how far his grandson and Jersey City as a whole have come.”

“As we continue to strengthen our department with the best firefighters in the state, we need to include quality leadership throughout our firehouses citywide,” said Jersey City Fire Department Chief Steven McGill. “These new Captains and Battalion Chiefs have worked hard to get to where they are, and we appreciate their commitment to serving Jersey City and keeping the community safe.”— JCM

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Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022 • 23

The original clock now sits atop a Colgate-Palmolive facility in Clarksville, Indiana. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Library of Congress.

Despite the passage of time, the Colgate Clock still ticks.

The historic clock lights up each night in red, positioned along the Jersey City waterfront. Colgate, originally called Colgate Soap and Perfumery Works, was first founded in 1806 in New York City by William Colgate, making small candles, soap and starch. By 1820, the company, then known as William Colgate and Company, moved across the Hudson to the Paulus

By Daniel Israel

W

hen thinking of historical landmarks visible along the Hudson River, many may think of the obvious: the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island or maybe even one of the nearby bridges. On the Jersey City side of the Hudson, another landmark is visibly present: the Colgate Clock.

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The clock sits at ground level on land that is leased to Colgate-Palmolive. It is maintained by Goldman Sachs. Photo

by James Andrews1/Shutterstock.com Hook area of Jersey City where it flourished.

In Jersey City, the company opened a large industrial complex that chemically manufactured perfume and soaps established in the city by 1847. In 1873, Colgate began selling the first iteration of what it is arguably most famous for now, toothpaste, leading to further success of the company, having moved away from perfumes and starch.

For the centennial of Colgate in 1906, the famous clock was commissioned. The Colgate Clock was designed by engineer Warren Day and constructed by Seth Thomas Clock Company. The clock’s shape was an ode to the first soap product sold by Colgate, the Octagon Soap. Nearly 38 feet in diameter, the steel clock was often touted as the largest in the world.

Two years after its construction, the clock was mounted on the roof of an eight-story Colgate Warehouse in 1908. Colgate established its headquarters in Jersey City in 1910, before merging some years later with the Palmolive-Peet Company.

The famous clock stood on top of the warehouse near the corner of York and Hudson streets until 1924, when the original clock was taken down and replaced with the current clock by then-Mayor Frank Hague. The old clock now sits atop a Colgate-Palmolive facility in Clarksville, Indiana.

The new clock ran until 1955, after over three decades of operation, until it broke down due to exposure to the elements. However, a quick repair of the clock’s hands meant it was back in action by the next month. It stood atop the Colgate building in Jersey City until the company relocated its headquarters in 1985.

In 1988, the clock was set at ground level. It sat there for years on the property, before becoming a local landmark after Goldman Sachs redeveloped the site in the early ‘90s. The Colgate Clock was fitted with LED lights in 2013, and a new foundation was installed beneath it. While Goldman Sachs maintains the clock, the land it sits on is ceremoniously leased to Colgate-Palmolive by the state.—JCM

JC Ready as recreational cannabis industry launches

Story and Photos by Daniel Israel

J

ersey City is getting ready, with much excitement and anticipation, to launch its adult-use recreational cannabis industry. On March 15, the state began accepting applications, receiving a flood of applicants awaiting their shot at being a part of the newly legal industry.

Ahead of the official launch, insiders have been preparing for the floodgate to be lifted in the months prior. Jersey City Magazine attended a networking event hosted by NJ Cannabis Insider at the Zeppelin Hall Beer Garden in Jersey City on February 17 to get a sense for how things were coming together.

The cannabis-oriented get-together, although the plant was not present at the event, was a networking extravaganza for entrepreneurs eager to get their hands on some of that good green. And by that I’m referring to both the cannabis plant and the loads of cash the soon-to-be bustling business. Those eager to break into the market networked with each other over,

heard from professional vendors of muchneeded equipment from purchasing systems to security, among other things, all over complimentary drinks and a buffet of food.

The keynote of the event was a conversation with a group of panelists who discussed how they were preparing for the legal market, from business ideas, application tips, and other highlights of the best ways to achieve success in the cannabis industry. Tips were exchanged, business cards swapper, and vital information passed between those in-the-know.

Insiders met again on March 15, albeit not in Jersey City, in celebration of the acceptance of applications, but also to discuss the challenges that they as cannabis entrepreneurs will face. And more meetings are planned for the months ahead, as many questions and obstacles remain for the infant industry.

While those seeking to get their foot in the door of the industry eagerly apply for licenses by the state, some are still at the part in the process where they are seeking approval from Jersey City. In late March, the city approved its first recreational

dispensary in the Heights on Tonnelle Avenue, with many more approved by the Planning Board, most of them for retail dispensaries but a consumption lounge has also been approved.

City officials have been on board with allowing recreational cannabis establishments in Jersey City, with Councilman Yousef Saleh making an appearance at the February gathering of cannabis insiders in Jersey City. And Mayor Steven Fulop has said that he will not damper the potential of the industry in the city.

“I was an early supporter of legalization, and as a city, we won’t put artificial obstacles around success or a NIMBY mindset,” Fulop said. “Instead, we’ll follow the new laws of NJ and Jersey City, we will support applicants that balance social equity, and then we will let the local market decide winners and losers based on the business owner’s execution of their business model.”

With everything in motion, it won’t be long before both recreational and medical cannabis will be grown, sold, and smoked in Jersey City.—JCM

Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022 • 25

Water on the

WATER?

Sea the City in a Luxury Hot Tub

By Tara Ryazansky Photo by Tina Winslow

B

oats bob in the water at Liberty Landing Marina. Docked amongst the yachts and sailboats is a large catamaran that’s different from all the rest. It blends in well enough with its welldesigned aesthetic, but it certainly isn’t like the others. It’s Sea the City’s hot tub boat, the first and only one of its kind in the New York City area.

“I don’t think it stands out at first glance, but when people inspect it a little closer they start to inquire about what exactly it is. You can’t always see the hot tubs when you’re standing at the dock looking,” says Adam Schwartz, the owner and founder of Sea the City.

Unique Ride On the deck, it’s clear just how unique of a ride this boat offers. It allows passengers to see the city while hanging out in luxury hot tubs.

Sea the City has been operating out of the marina for seven seasons as a jet ski rental business.

“I am a lifelong boater. When I was about 40 years old I decided to make my passion my business. That’s when I started my jet ski business,” says

Schwartz, who previously worked as a business consultant. “I was always looking for another business to expand into.”

“A couple of years ago, I started to see all of these very small hot tub boats that exist around the world. They’re in London, Amsterdam, Seattle, Vancouver, basically you rent them and they’re just sort of off the waterline. They’re for very calm waterways. That’s not what we have here,” Schwartz gestures toward the hectic harbor.

Still, Schwartz was intrigued and wondered if there was a way to make a boat like that work in the busy waters of Jersey City.

Starting From Scratch “I’m a lifelong New Yorker so my mentality is always sort of like, there’s nothing we shouldn’t have here,” he says with a laugh. “I started thinking about how we could adapt that concept to the much more active water that we have in New York Harbor. I started putting together that idea of having a much bigger platform, and larger tubs with a captain and crew. We worked with boat builders. We found a boat builder who had experience in the harbor. We started from scratch.”

The result was a 40-foot-long vessel fitted with two hot tubs.

“It’s built specifically for the purpose we’re using it for, and the waterway that we’re in,” Schwartz explains.

The boat launched in September 2020.

“COVID was an issue, but outdoor activities and water sports in general were all the rage. We had a very, very strong year. The feedback from the get-go was very positive. People really enjoyed having an outdoor space to socialize in. It’s a great way to see the city,” Schwartz says.

“We’re very fortunate. You always wonder how it will go when you have a new concept. It’s a pretty cool way to make a living and spend your time among people who are just overwhelmingly in a good mood.”

Enjoy the View How could you be in a bad mood while relaxing in a hot tub and taking in the views along the Hudson?

Schwartz typically takes guests out of the marina and toward the Statue of Liberty where they hang out for a while, and, of course, take lots of photos.

“It’s very heavily Instagrammed and TikToked,” he says. “There are a lot of selfies and live-streaming and things like that.”

Party Vibe Each private tub is reserved for a flat fee and can hold up to 10 guests. You can charter the entire boat for a party of 20, but the tubs are separated enough so that each side of the boat can have its own vibe if two parties are going on simultaneously.

Schwartz says that the atmosphere varies depending on the guests.

“We designed it this way. If there are two different groups they’re far enough apart. Each tub had its own music system, so you can have people twerking in the forward tub and people just chilling and sipping champagne in the aft tub and neither detracts from the other,” Schwartz explains. “It really depends on what the guests make of it. We’ve had people get engaged, just a couple who come out and it ends in a proposal, and we’ve had really fun birthday parties. It runs the gamut.”

Schwartz says that most of his passengers are locals.

Photo Courtesy of Sea the City

Bough to the City “We see a lot of locals doing special events like an anniversary, a birthday or bachelorette party.”

Next, the boat takes its course toward the World Trade Center. Sea the City offers a 90-minute ride with openings seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“You see the whole city right off the bough,” Schwartz says.

He doesn’t get sick of the view.

“It’s a pretty charmed life for me and for my team.”

It’s pretty charmed for Sea the City passengers as well.—JCM

SeaTheCity.com SeaTheCity on Instagram and TikTok Photo by Tina Winslow

Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022 • 27

Growing Up Vertical Farming

in JC AeroFarms Marion Garden Community Farm Launch on December 8, 2021.Children from the Head Start Program watch a harvest of the greens.

By Tara Ryazansky Photos by Jennifer Brown City of Jersey City

N

ew Jersey is the Garden State, but in Jersey City that mostly comes in the form of the occasional container garden on a stoop or fire escape. It’s hard to find space to plant an herb garden let alone a farm. But Jersey City has found a spacesaving solution with AeroFarms.

Jersey City has partnered with AeroFarms, a Newark-based vertical farming company, and the World Economic Health Forum to launch 10 indoor farms around the city.

“We want to encourage healthy eating and leverage technology,” Mayor Steven Fulop says.

AeroFarms merges agriculture and technology. Co-founder and CEO, David Rosenberg explains, “We’re a leader in vertical farming. We develop technology to grow plants in warehouses anywhere in the world.”

The company was created to help solve environmental issues.

“Most of the world’s freshwater goes to agriculture. Most of the world’s freshwater contamination comes from agriculture. If one wants to solve water they really need to solve agriculture,” Rosenberg says.

Fresh Technology AeroFarms’ farming method is also space-efficient and because it can be local anywhere during any season there’s no worry of supply chain problems.

AeroFarms’ headquarters, which is located in a former steel mill in Newark, can produce up to 2 million pounds of leafy greens annually. Huge trays of plants that

are stacked high thrive without sun or soil in the facility. Seeds are sprouted on a specially designed fabric. The environment is monitored to keep growing conditions ideal.

“One of the challenges of urban living is that it’s hard to come across plots of land to grow food,” says Rosenberg. “One of the benefits of our systems is that in a relatively small space you can produce an outsized amount of food year-round 365 days a year.”

Rosenberg knows about the area firsthand.

“I’m a proud Jersey City resident. This has a special meaning for me,” he shares.

Healthy Conversation Rosenberg, who adds that he coached the Jersey City soccer team for about three years, has lived here since 2002.

“This started with a conversation with Mayor Fulop,” Rosenberg says that Fulop had heard about another healthy-eating initiative that AeroFarms had worked on.

“He heard about one of our programs that changed eating habits in schools. Michelle Obama became an advocate for it. We got kids to eat greens instead of french fries.

We discussed how eating habits are often formalized when people are young. We want to influence the young. One of the ways to influence them is to have them interact more frequently with farms, with where their food is grown. A lot of people in a lower socioeconomic demographic don’t interact with farms. Here, we bring the farms to the people.”

“We’re just starting. There will be 10 farms; some in senior centers, some in housing sites and some in schools. They will be all across the city. We’re excited for what kind of results we might have,” Fulop says.

28 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022

Easy Access Rosenberg says, “The problem that Mayor Fulop was trying to solve was, how do you get people of a lower socioeconomic demographic to eat healthier?”

“There are parts of the city that are just straight-up food deserts,” Fulop says.

“They don’t really have access to the same type of supermarkets that you see downtown or the same types of produce.

That ultimately leads to poor choices around diet.”

Mayor Fulop says that the city has tried many programs, including senior citizen supermarket tours with an educational component and corner store grant initiatives to help small businesses showcase healthy options over sugary items.

“This is the most robust effort yet,” Fulop explains.

The program includes classes and a partnership with Quest Diagnostic and Oura Rings wearable fitness trackers, which will be given to some program participants.

“Some things that you or I might take for granted, like going to the doctor once or twice a year and monitoring basic blood levels and sugar levels, a lot of people who are more economically challenged don’t get to do that. These little changes, along with this technology and the curiosity that it creates, can hopefully steer them in that direction,” Rosenberg says.

New Habits “We’re hoping it will spark their curiosity and greater willingness to try new foods that they wouldn’t otherwise try and hopefully change their eating habits. Given that some of the other programs that are used nationwide are less effective, this was in the spirit of let’s try new things.

I really applaud the mayor for his boldness in trying new things. We’ve had some examples of success at a school so now it’s building off of that success and working in collaboration with other parties to share the stories of these farms and get people interacting with these farms ultimately to drive their eating habits.”

Fulop had the opportunity to interact with the vertical farms that have already launched, which are a scaled-down version of what they do at AeroFarms headquarters.

Simple Changes AeroFarms Marion Garden Community Farm Launch on December 8, 2021. L to R: Vivian Brady-Phillips, Ex Dir of the JCHA, Ward B Councilperson Mira Prinz-Arey, Stacey Flanagan, Director of Health & Human Services and AeroFarms employees harvest a crop of greens grown in a vertical farm.

“They showed me how quickly things grow and how to cut it,” Fulop says.

“There’s something very satisfying about planting a seed, seeing a plant grow, nurturing that plant, and feeding people from it,” Rosenberg says.

AeroFarms greens are available for sale in stores like Walmart, Stop & Shop and Whole Foods and through services like FreshDirect and Amazon Fresh.

“This is all rooted in the fact that we think that simple changes in diet can have a big impact on people’s health,” Fulop says. “Small changes can make a huge, huge difference.”—JCM

An educator from SNAP gives a presentation on healthy eating during the AeroFarms Marion Garden Community Farm Launch on December 8, 2021.

Mory Thomas, Director of the program, demonstrates the harvesting of greens for Mayor Steven Fulop at the AeroFarm location at Marion Gardens on January 24, 2022.

Mayor Fulop visits the AeroFarm location at Marion Gardens on January 24, 2022. L to R: Vivian Brady-Phillips, Ex Dir of the JCHA, Mayor Fulop, Stacey Flanagan, Director of Health & Human Services and AeroFarms employees discuss the process.

Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022 • 29

Denise Mercede

s

30 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022

STYLIN’ in all shapes and sizes

By Tara Ryazansky Photos by Denise Mercedes

D

enise Mercedes is a plus-size model and influencer who has 1.4 million Instagram followers. On TikTok she has an impressive 3.5 million. Social media is where she has gone viral for her fashion photos and videos, but Jersey City is where she got her start exploring her creative side through fashion.

“I was born and raised in Jersey City.

I’ve lived here my whole life. I still do,” says Mercedes.

In 2006 she was 13 years old.

“My neighbor across the street from me right on Summit Avenue owned a photo studio. I had asked her, ‘Hey is there anything I can do to make lunch money, or maybe money to buy myself a pair of shoes here and there.’ She was like, ‘Yeah you can come and answer the phone and help me out.’ ” While working as a receptionist, Mercedes watched models come in for photoshoots. She observed how they posed in front of the camera and wanted to try it for herself.

“I started to save money to buy my own camera. It took me about six months to save and then my dad helped me with the rest,” Mercedes says.

After work, she would take photos with friends at the studio.

“We probably didn’t know what we were doing. Could you believe that I still have those pictures? You can just tell that I was having so much fun.”

Mercedes spent her teen years modeling as a hobby and with photographers all over the city. She says it was different for plussize models then.

“When I was 16 there was no body-positive movement in what I saw in the media.

I didn’t feel like I was being represented at all. I mean, I literally wasn’t. I didn’t see a girl who looked like me on TV or on a magazine,” Mercedes says. “I feel like the body-positive movement is doing so much for the younger generation. They’re now seeing girls like themselves. I’m really happy to be a part of it. I’m happy to showcase to other girls who have my same body type that we can wear anything and look amazing.”

Looking Good One way that Mercedes is promoting that concept is with #StyleNotSize. She created the hashtag and video series with her friend, Maria Castellanos.

Castellanos’ husband and Mercedes’ boyfriend are childhood friends. The two women met during a night out in Jersey City.

“We met at Lucky 7. Maria said she was getting into photography and she wanted to collaborate with me just to get used to the camera. I was totally into it. She started helping me create content for my social media,” Mercedes says. “It turns out that she liked being in front of the camera so she started creating content as well and she’s really good at it. I asked her if she would come to the beach with me and take a photo in the exact same thing. I thought it would be a pretty cool, positive thing to post on social media being that we’re different sizes and we can showcase that we both look good in the exact same thing.”

Mercedes wears a size 14 and Castellanos wears a size six. The women posted the side-by-side photo on Instagram.

“We got a lot of positive feedback,” Mercedes says.

Soon after, in 2020 Mercedes joined TikTok. “I saw that it was more of a videosharing app than a photo-sharing app. I was like, OK, I’m into this, I can do what I’m doing on Instagram but make it into a video form,” she said, with Castellanos on board to join her. “We didn’t know much about video editing, but it was something we were able to pick up pretty fast being that the app is really easy to use.”

The pair styled some matching outfits and made a video posing together.

“It went super viral and we really didn’t expect that. I would say that #StyleNotSize started on Instagram, but the actual series was born on TikTok,” Mercedes explains.

She and Castellanos quickly made another video.

“By that point, we had even more experience with the video editing part. It went even more viral. The second time I think it got 30 million views.”

Fashion Inclusion The caption of one of her earliest #StyleNotSize videos on TikTok says, “2 different body types, same style. You can dress cute regardless of whatever shape or size you are!”

Last year, Mercedes and Castellanos launched an inclusive fashion collection with Macy’s to share their sense of style with the world.

“The pieces for the Macy’s collection are loungewear. We wanted to create pieces that you could wear as loungewear at home, but also style as a whole look to go out. We’re dropping our second collection in March. You can shop the collection right in Jersey City,” Mercedes adds.

The range can be found at the Newport Centre and includes sizes XS-3X. Mercedes also has another clothing line that she is releasing solo with a brand called Rebdolls.

“I have some summer pieces that I’m really excited to share. They will be going up to a 5X, which is very size-inclusive. I am so happy about that. I feel like everyone will be able to wear it. Fashion is for everyone. Fashion is such a cool way that people can express themselves,” Mercedes says. “Another thing that I love about fashion is that it’s a way to help you feel confident.”

DeniseMercedes.com @denisemmercedes on Instagram and TikTok

Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022 • 31

Drag

at Gringo’s Going strong since 2017

Story and Photos

by Daniel Israel

G

ringo’s Taco is THE spot for brunch in Jersey City. Especially if you go to brunch on the one Sunday each month when the restaurant hosts Drag Bingo with Linda Simpson, a high-profile New York City drag queen.

Once a month, the wonderfully aesthetically pleasing, Mexican-inspired eatery gives brunch-goers a shot of nightlife in the middle of a Sunday afternoon. Pinatas, sombreros and other décor adorn the walls of the establishment, all hand picked by the owners.

According to one of the owners, James Ventola, Gringo’s first opened in 2017, with the help of partners Darren Conway and Rebecca Tarantino. They had previous experience running nightclubs, but wanted to enter the restaurant industry.

Eventually, Darren’s brother, Travis, came on board, too.

“We call it Gringo’s because it’s Mexican inspired, but with our own twist,” Ventola said. “We use authentic Mexican ingredients, but we like to mix things up a little with the food.”

32 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022

Appearance-wise, the goal of Gringo’s is to make restaurant-goers feel like they are in an off-the-beaten-path location in Mexico. The counter between the kitchen and the dining room is even shaped to look like it is a food truck in an industrialesque location, a major transformation from the former mechanic shop that used to occupy the space.

And Gringo’s not only sought to bring authentic Mexican-inspired dishes and aesthetics to Jersey City, but offer customers a slice of nightlife regardless of when they come to eat. Ventola said the goal is to give that feel any time a customer comes in.

“With the energy in the room, we always want it to have a nightclub vibe,” Ventola said. “We want people to come in, eat, drink, stay here, build an atmosphere, and make it a destination.”

As part of the efforts to give Gringo’s that nightclub vibe, renowned New York

Linda Simpson

City drag queen Linda Simpson was brought in to do Drag Bingo. Ventola said they wanted to “spice it up a bit” and she was just the person to bring the flavor.

Meet the talent “Linda’s pretty well known, so I reached out to her and it was a no brainer,” Ventola said.

Now, one Sunday each month, Simpson is joined by DJ Tim Dwag for an epic session of Drag Bingo. Lovely prizes are given out to the winner of each round, sometimes participating in ensuing hijinks to break ties and claim their prize. Guest performers, such as an acrobat, dazzle crowds in between bouts of Bingo.

Simpson has been doing drag since the ‘80s. Most of her gigs are in New York City, but she has branched out into New Jersey.

“Gringo’s is really my first regular gig in Jersey,” Simpson said.

According to Simpson, she started hosting Drag Bingo at Gringo’s in 2019 and it was a smashing success. That is, until the business, much like many restaurants, had to shut down in March of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the world.

“We had a good run before COVID-19,” Simpson said. “The pandemic knocked us out.”

“It was a good year,” Ventola said.

“Then COVID-19 hit and everything else that’s going on. Drag Bingo was one of the last things we did before everything closed in March.”

Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022 • 33

Janelle, Dragonfly Productions

Post-COVID resurgence But despite being closed due to the virus for a few months, Gringo’s eventually reopened with a glorious return. And after being open for a little while, Gringo’s made itself whole again by bringing back Drag Bingo.

“We reopened, and a lot of people were asking for it, so we figured then was the time,” Ventola said. “And it was a big success.”

While Simpson continued to host various iterations of virtual Drag Bingo in the meanwhile, she said it was nice to return to in-person events.

“I was doing virtual bingos during COVID, and that was all fine and dandy,” Simpson said. “But it’s nice having the option of being live … It’s a little perk up.

I think everybody has been cooped up and now really enjoys the chance to let loose.”

Since then, the crowds and the energy have climbed back to pre-COVID levels.

“There are certainly a lot of brunches to pick from, even drag brunches, but I think ours is kind of special. We get such an

amazing crowd … It’s been really fun to get to know the people and I love the New Jersey enthusiasm.”

And the food is to die for. Having sampled the avocado tostada, a homemade tostada with mashed avocado, queso fresco, pomegranate seeds, scallions and cilantro, the dish was light and refreshing. The chilaquiles divorciadas, chips topped with salsa verde and salsa roja, grilled chicken, crema, queso fresco, quajilla oil and cilantro was mouth-watering and left wanting for more. In terms of drinks, they have a wide range of cocktails, some on draft to choose from, with Da Sneaky Tiki and the What-A -Paloma being personal favorites.

Now, one Sunday each month at Gringo’s Taco, drag enthusiasts, brunch fans and taco lovers alike have been enjoying the best that the place has to offer. Not only are Ventola and the rest of the staff at Gringo’s dedicated to putting out a good product, they always want to put a smile on people’s faces and make them want to come back, even the very next day. And with Simpson on hand for Drag Bingo, it will be tempting for many customers to do just that.—JCM

34 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2022

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