Abbey’s Pub & Grill, a popular dive bar and hookah lounge in Downtown Jersey City, faces an uncertain future after Chief Health Inspector Happy Boor pulled their food license for allegedly violating the Smoke-Free Air Act.
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Abbey Tarei, owner of Abbey’s Pub & Grill in Downtown Jersey City, sat down with Hudson County View to discuss his business crisis following Jersey City Chief Health Inspector Happy Boor pulling his food license on Super Bowl weekend for allegedly violating the Smoke-Free Air Act.
The interview started with Tarei explaining the bar’s business structure – specifically the separate corporate filings for the pub and grill – and his recollection of what happened on January 30, 2015, the day his license was pulled, as well as the financial hardship he’s incurred since.
Tarei, whose business predates the Smoke-Free Air Act, questioned why it took nearly a decade – and over a year under the Fulop Administration – for his license to be pulled for hookah smoking by Boor, and whether the city’s actions were legal.
In addition, Tarei questioned the “Jersey City Make it Yours†marketing campaign under Mayor Steven Fulop, and accused the city of deliberately sabotaging his business.
When speaking about the damage to his business, and the families of his workers, Tarei demanded Fulop rectify the situation.
Jersey City Spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill declined to return an email seeking comment on this story.