The City of Jersey City hosted a ribbon cutting for the opening of their first coworking space, The Grapevine, as part of the next phase of the City Hall Annex expansion.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“This latest extension of the City Hall Annex is a transformative addition for our Greenville and Bergen-Lafayette communities as we continue to make critical city services much more accessible to residents who need them most,” said Mayor Steven Fulop said in a statement.
“With this new small business incubator and coworking space, we are taking our efforts a step further—opening doors for entrepreneurs and small business owners to expand their reach, access new opportunities, and collaborate in ways that were not accessible before.”
Located at 398 MLK Drive, the new small business incubator is the latest expansion of critical city services at the City Hall Annex in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood.
The coworking space is designed to create opportunities for local entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small business owners, offering a modern and affordable workspace coupled with JCEDC resources to help them grow and thrive.
“The reason we called it The Grapevine is because the famous saying ‘I heard it through the grapevine’ is based on information being circulated through person-to-person interactions as a way to exchange information,” explained Jersey City Economic Development Business Director Jennifer Moore.
“That is exactly what we want to provide our small business owners and entrepreneurs here. To foster new connections and opportunities with this dynamic workspace and future workshops.”
Additionally, The Grapevine was established to create an environment that nurtures relationships between businesses across various industries.
The JCEDC will also partner with local community organizations to host a variety of training workshops, seminars, and networking events designed to help entrepreneurs succeed. These resources will focus on essential skills and strategies for small businesses, including marketing, financial management, and technology integration.
During today’s event, The Grapevine officially opened its doors alongside the relocation of the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation offices, formerly home to Martin’s Place.
“At the JCEDC, our mission is to promote and assist businesses, and this new space reflects our commitment to expanding opportunities for our community, connecting small business owners with the tools, networks, and expertise they need to succeed,” added longtime JCED Chair Rosemary McFadden.
As part of Jersey City’s ongoing efforts to foster economic growth and innovation, The Grapevine provides a strategic, accessible location right next to the light rail with ample parking.
“The JCEDC is a valuable resource for Jersey City businesses to succeed, and we want residents to capitalize on all they have to offer,” noted Council President Joyce Watterman, who is also Moore’s mother.
“By bringing the JCEDC to the Annex location, they are joining our Health Department, Affording Housing Division, Public Safety, Redevelopment Agency, and many other city assets that are key to our city’s overall success.”
Flexible membership options will accommodate businesses of all sizes and stages, with modern amenities that cater to today’s entrepreneurial needs.
Members can rent desks, private offices, or utilize “hot desking,” which allows for first-come, first-served seating. Membership pricing ranges from $150-$600 a month.
All prices are competitive with other coworking spaces. Memberships include access to all of the available amenities, including a game room, two fully equipped conference rooms, a podcasting studio, a quiet room, lounge area, full stocked kitchen, and on-site security.
“A special thank you to the JCEDC for understanding the small business population and stepping in to give us a phenomenal opportunity that many of us would have never been able to accomplish on our own,” Washed and Made Whole business owner Detras Powell stated.
“As a small startup business, the JCEDC has allowed our dreams and imaginations to become a reality. Not only did you allow us to have a real-life storefront, but you also ensured that we are equipped with the fundamentals and knowledge of being successful business owners.”
Flexible membership options will accommodate businesses of all sizes and stages, with modern amenities that cater to today’s entrepreneurial needs. Members can rent desks, private offices, or utilize “hot desking,” which allows for first-come, first-served seating. Membership pricing ranges from $150-$600 a month. All prices are competitive with other coworking spaces. Memberships include access to all of the available amenities, including:
Membership applications and additional information can be found on the newly revamped JCEDC website, which launches alongside the coworking space.