Time Travel Back to Y2K at These Hoboken + Jersey City Spots
In the blink of an eye, all things Y2K have made their way back to the forefront of the trend cycle (and we’re not complaining). As Y2K takes center stage over 20 years later, it’s exciting to see the full-on cultural revival trickle down to our own neighborhoods. Even businesses like Abercrombie & Fitch and True Religion are coming to Hoboken + Jersey City this summer. And while there are many elements that can define a decade, the fun thing about Y2K style is that it extends well beyond just clothing and accessories; food, music, and interior design all play a role.
Nothing screams Y2K like a charm bracelet. Little Charm Bar is a customizable charm bar with locations inside Alba Boutique and AxD in Hoboken. Here, shoppers can create one-of-a-kind charm bracelets or necklaces with a pop of personality, including cherry charms, bedazzled hearts, monograms, moons, stars, plus dozens more. Little Charm Bar also has mobile services and can host custom parties, pop-ups, and private events.
MOJO Coffee may be known and loved for its Funfetti coffee and colorful treats (which are also SO Y2K), but the coffee shop’s “Pop Tarts” are what truly spark major nostalgia. While the flavors rotate, MOJO creates homemade “Pop Tarts,” typically released on Friday mornings with limited inventory. Over the years, MOJO has served “Pop Tarts” with flavors like blueberry crumb, strawberry frosted, and even holiday-themed ones for St. Patrick’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Be sure to keep an eye out for the next release on Instagram. HG tip: MOJO Coffee recently opened a new outpost at 159-161 Newark Avenue in Jersey City.
While Noellery itself has a modern interior with tons of designs to choose from, the jewelry selection gives big Y2K energy. With designs like monogrammed plates, anklets, and butterfly bestie bracelets, it’s a clear nod to an era of nostalgic accessories.
Jeong Film is run by TJ Jeong, a Hoboken-based photographer of 15 years. Last summer, TJ decided to add a collection of photo booths to his photography studio for the public to enjoy. Locals can pop in and snap a photo behind the curtain of multiple vintage-style photo booths with color or black and white options. This brings us right back to the days of mall and movie theatre photo booths used to commemorate friendships, relationships, and all-around sentimental experiences with a photo strip of your own to take home. To explore more spots with photobooths, click here.
Cranky Angel owner Montana Fucci is the local queen of Y2K. If you’ve ever shopped there, you know it’s like stepping into the bedroom of your favorite Disney Channel character. There’s even a retro photo booth in the back, right next to a beaded curtain. With everything from Paul Frank finds to Lizzie McGuire stickers, and some of the most on-point Y2K clothing and accessories, this vintage thrift combo instantly transports you into the early 2000s.
Right next door to Cranky Angel is Dirty Hippie Studio, a community creative space that hosts tons of events and gatherings. While Dirty Hippie honed in on the funky styles of the 70s, there are plenty of Y2K touches to love. Maybe it’s the vibrant zebra print exterior or the hand-painted retro cartoon artwork from founder India Joseph (aka Foxy Green), but we’re sensing some Y2K nods here. Inside you can find India’s original artwork on display with scenes from Rugrats, Scooby Doo, and The Simpsons to name a few.
Lil’ Dove Cafe in Jersey City Heights is a go-to for residents looking for a specialty coffee and a quick bite. The interior of the store is what lands Lil’ Dove a spot on this list thanks to its colorful design, stand-out window displays, and curated retail section with adorable graphic pillows, cards, cups, and more. The pops of color and upbeat energy make this space feel like a cafe from the scene of an early 2000s movie.
Departed Soles is best known for its unbeatable selection of gluten-free beers. If you’ve ever hung out inside, you’d instantly recognize the various nods to the early 2000s. With Ninja Turtles galore, skate decks on the walls, and even a gaming station. The Departed Soles tasting room reminds us of the early 2000s.
The Hair Room in Jersey City Heights is a great spot for a quality cut and color, and an inclusive haven bursting with color and fun times. The salon is unlike any other salon, painted with bold shades of pink, decked out with 90s/early 2000s memorabilia that feels like a teenage bedroom.
Arcades are truly a lost art, one that kids of the 80s, 90s, early 2000s (and beyond) can appreciate. Pixel Lab is open to all ages and features several video game consoles, arcade games, and board games. Patrons can choose to play by the hour or grab a day pass to immerse themselves in gameplay all day long.
Phantasm is a collective-style vintage hub with collections from various curators. While Phantasm has quite the mix of vintage clothing, records, and homeware from all eras, we have to shout out the most Y2K thing of all: the fuzzy purple dressing room. After you take a peek at the dressing room (or try something on for yourself), don’t miss the shop’s incredible vintage t-shirt collection, sure to spark some Y2K-esque memories.
ZeroKid NJ has a stellar collection of vintage streetwear. The t-shirt and sneaker collection alone is enough to trigger some major Y2K memories. With the big skater energy and a fantastic selection of menswear (and way more), ZeroKid NJ’s ultra-curated picks capture the feeling of times passed.
The classic Coach monogram is an undeniable staple of the early 2000s. Recently, Coach opened up its first-ever Coach Coffee Shop at the Jersey Shore Premium Outlets attached to a Coach retail store. In the shop, patrons can grab coffee with monogrammed cinnamon or cocoa powder toppers, try a Tabby Cake (shaped like a Coach bag), and reminisce in the cozy, fashion-centric setting. After a treat, pop into the Coach store for another round of Y2K style with Coach’s various collections featuring cherries, bag charms, and cartoon-ish graphic designs.
The Pretty Charming Co. in Redbank is Monmouth County’s first customizable trucker hat bar. The trucker hat trend of the early 2000s was popularized by various celebs back in the day, and now has come full circle. The Pretty Charming Co. allows customers to embellish their hats with colorful patches sure to turn heads.
Unleashed Thrift in Nutley knows exactly how to curate a killer collection of Y2K pieces. With funky animal prints, vintage tanks and tees, bedazzled mini skirts, embellished belts, and beyond. The Y2K vibes here are undeniable.
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Southwest Hoboken will soon have a sliding floodgate to mitigate the impacts during storm surge events. As a part of the next phase of the Rebuild by Design Project, Jersey Avenue between Harrison Street in Hoboken and 18th Street in Jersey City will be closed 24 hours a day for approximately one month to install the foundation of the Resist structure’s sliding gate across Jersey Avenue. The work was slated begin on or around March 31st, 2025, but the City of Hoboken shared with The Hoboken Girl on Friday, March 28th that the closure was being postponed until on or about Monday, April 7th. The closure was again postponed for the Jersey City Marathon and officially begins April 14, 2025.
Photo Credit: City of Hoboken
A Nixle alert from the City of Hoboken just before 4:30PM on Thursday, April 3rd revealed that the Jersey Avenue closure is being postponed once again for the Jersey City Marathon — which is happening on Sunday, April 13th. The NJDEP will announced April 14, 2025 as the new start date of the closure.
Communications Manager for the City of Hoboken, Marilyn Bear, shared with The Hoboken Girl on Friday, March 28th that the upcoming Jersey Avenue closure to start construction on the sliding flood gate is being postponed by the NJDEP until on or about Monday, April 7th. This has now been postponed to April 14, 2025.
Starting on or about Monday, April 14th, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) will begin test pitting and construction activities for the foundation of the Resist structure’s sliding gate across Jersey Avenue. The gate is meant to be deployed during storm surge events like Hurricane Sandy and connect to the nearly 5,000-foot-long southern Resist structure, which will prevent water from the Hudson River from entering the City via the Long Slip Canal in the southern part of Hoboken. When complete, the project will protect portions of Hoboken from storm surge flooding, removing approximately 80 percent of the City from the FEMA-designated flood plain, per the press release.
During the construction, Jersey Avenue will be closed to all traffic between Harrison Street in Hoboken and 18th Street in Jersey City for 24 hours a day for approximately one month.
Hoboken Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher told The Hoboken Girl that since both Marin Boulevard and Grove Street currently do not permit left turns into the Holland Tunnel, Hoboken will be working with Jersey City to allow one of these to make left turns. in May and June, one lane will be opened going southbound out of Hoboken while construction continues.
“This outcome—a one-month full closure followed by two months of one-lane southbound access—is a big improvement from the DEP’s initial plan for four to five months of full closure," Councilwoman Fisher told HG. "I’m glad that Cm Ramos and I pushed for a better solution that minimizes disruption while keeping this critical project on track."
“Candidly, this road closure is going to be frustrating,” Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla said in a press release. “No one likes traffic detours, and I know this will be difficult for many who rely on Jersey Avenue every day but, the reality is, this short-term pain comes with a long-term payoff. The NJDEP is making a critical investment that will make our city more resilient. In the meantime, we are doing everything we can to ease congestion and keep things moving as smoothly as possible. I appreciate everyone’s patience while we get through this together.”
Signs will aid in detouring traffic entering and exiting Hoboken via Grove Street and Marin Boulevard/Henderson Street. Trucks will be directed to use northern roads in and out of the City via Route 495 and can exit from the south via Paterson Avenue/Paterson Plank Road only.
To minimize disruptions, the City, in collaboration with NJDEP, Jersey City, and Hudson County, will implement comprehensive traffic mitigation strategies in advance of construction, including:
The City will also temporarily modify signal timing at certain intersections to accommodate detour traffic flows.
Signal timing updates will be at the following intersections:
Phasing changes + signal modifications (such as adding turn arrows) will be at the following intersections:
- 18th Street + Marin Boulevard (Jersey City)
Ongoing projects in the southwestern quadrant of Hoboken that require road closures will be on pause during this phase of Rebuild by Design construction to help reduce traffic impacts.
The Rebuild by Design Hudson River project is a comprehensive flood protection system designed to safeguard portions of Hoboken, Jersey City, and Weehawken against storm surge flooding while integrating flood-resistant infrastructure with new community amenities. Several Resist structures will be integrated into the urban landscape across the City.
In 2023, the City of Hoboken installed flood barricades in low, flood-prone areas as a part of the project. For more flooding resources in Hoboken, head to our comprehensive article here.
For future updates on the Jersey Avenue Resist element and closure, click here. For more information about the Rebuild by Design Hudson River Project, click here. For weekly construction schedules on public projects in Hoboken, click here.
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