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New ‘Eco-Shop’ Treats Pets and Nature Right with Curated Product Line
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hen news broke that a pandemic had triggered quarantine orders in the United States, Jordana Vasquez was half a world away, learning how cities in the European Union are transitioning to a truly sustainable future, with zero waste and a circular economy. “COVID-19 and the quarantine were the furthest things from my mind and my present,” Vasquez says. “But as soon as I came back to Hoboken, I dealt with the news of a family health emergency, a furlough and notices of life never being the same.” In the space of a week, it seemed to Vasquez, life as she knew it changed drastically. As the pandemic dragged on, she discovered, as many of us have, that pets are a critical source of comfort. “The lack of routine and restrictions on movement and socialization took a toll on many of us, but thankfully—and I’ll dare to generalize here—our pets played a big part in picking up what was left of our normalcy,” she says. “In my experience, being a ‘pawrent’ has been the biggest blessing, mood-upper and joy-filler of a responsibility.” The pandemic also provided opportunity and inspiration for Vasquez to start a new business merging two of her passions: pets and sustainability. The online pet ecostore, Hoboken Jengo, might not have happened otherwise. “The sudden change of pace in life allowed me to train my dog, observe his patterns of behavior, test out certain brands on him, and meet like-minded dog parents around Hoboken,” she says. “That’s when the idea came to me. I knew firsthand what a struggle it is to find beautiful, unique, cost-effective, sustainable treats and toys. Hoboken Jengo was born out of the need to identify brands that would bring out the best in our pets without compromising the planet’s health.”
Vetting Vendors After months of researching pet products and their environmental impact, Vasquez launched Hoboken Jengo in November 2020. “Since then, our main mission and obsession has been to advocate for minimally processed, high-quality treats, lasting toys and ethically-sourced products that spark joy, foster health and make a positive difference to the environment,” she says. Because she and her staff have already done the heavy lifting of ensuring that all products are eco-friendly, customers of Hoboken Jengo don’t have to spend time searching the treats, accessories and gifts it offers. “Here, in one place, you can find products designed, manufactured and shipped in a way that protects our planet and allows dogs and cats to live their best, full lives,” she says. The process of choosing the products that Hoboken Jengo sells begins with its Sustainability Criteria Questionnaire (SCQ), which Vasquez and her staff created to vet vendors and let customers know why their products are suitable for pets and the environment. “Each brand we’ve joined forces with has been carefully selected because of their strong commitment to making a positive difference on the planet and in our pets’ lives,” she says. When Vasquez began this journey, she had a rough idea of what products her store was going to offer, so she and her staff created five main categories—treats, toys, 18
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