JERSEY CITY, NJ —
August 07, 2026 |
By DailyHudson Staff
Packages spotted outside former Shaka Bowls suggest the NYC favorite may open its second NJ location.
The packages started showing up a few weeks ago. Brown boxes, neatly stacked outside 110 Washington Street in Hoboken — the spot where Shaka Bowls used to scoop acai until it closed earlier this year. Curious neighbors snapped photos. Some sent them to Hoboken Girl. The name on the boxes? Maman.
If you’ve ever waited in line at Maman’s Jersey City location on Newark Avenue, you know what that could mean. The NYC-based cafe, known for its blue-and-white ceramics, wildflower arrangements, and that signature pistachio cookie the size of your palm, may be expanding to Hoboken.
Nothing is official yet. Maman hasn’t returned messages. But the clues are hard to ignore, and for a storefront that’s been dark for months, the prospect of a new tenant has people talking.
A familiar name, a growing footprint
Maman opened its first location in 2014 in New York City’s Soho neighborhood, founded by Benjamin Sormonte and Elisa Marshall. The couple described it as a “Soho loft cafe” — think exposed brick, cozy corners, and a menu that leans French-countryside with a modern twist.
Since then, the brand has expanded across the U.S., with outposts in Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Fairfax, and beyond. In 2022, Maman opened its first New Jersey location in Jersey City, and it quickly became a neighborhood staple. People line up for the breakfast sandwiches, the lavender lattes, and those cookies — always the cookies.
If Hoboken is indeed next, it would be Maman’s second Garden State location, just a PATH ride away from the first.
Why this matters here
For Hudson County residents, this is more than just another cafe opening. It’s about the character of our main streets.
Hoboken’s Washington Street has seen its share of turnover — beloved local spots closing, chains moving in, and the constant push and pull between keeping things familiar and welcoming something new. When Shaka Bowls packed up and consolidated its operations at 720 Monroe Street, the Washington Street storefront sat empty. That kind of vacancy doesn’t go unnoticed. It changes the rhythm of the block — fewer people popping in for a smoothie, less foot traffic at certain hours.
If Maman moves in, it could bring a steady crowd from morning until late afternoon. Imagine the line snaking out the door on a Saturday, people grabbing coffee before a walk along the waterfront, parents treating kids to a pistachio cookie after school. That energy has a ripple effect. Neighboring businesses tend to feel it.
For Jersey City residents, the news is a point of pride — our city was the first in the state to get a Maman. But it also raises a familiar question: will Hoboken get its own dedicated location, or will locals simply cross town? Either way, the brand clearly sees Hudson County as fertile ground.
What people are saying
Hoboken Girl first reported the rumor after readers sent in photos of the packages. The publication has reached out to Maman for comment but hasn’t received a timeline for any potential opening.
On social media, reactions have been mostly enthusiastic. “Please let this be true,” one commenter wrote. Another joked about already planning her first order. A few expressed concern about rising rents in the area and whether an independent shop could compete with a brand like Maman — a fair point as small businesses continue to navigate tough economic waters.
For now, the company is staying quiet. No signage. No permits filed publicly. Just those boxes, and a lot of speculation.
What happens next
Keep an eye out. If Maman is planning to open, you’ll likely see permit applications posted in the window of 110 Washington Street — that’s public notice. You can also check the Hoboken zoning office’s website for filings, or simply walk by and see if the lights come on.
One thing to note: even if the deal is real, openings take time. Build-outs, licensing, hiring — it all takes months. So don’t expect a grand opening tomorrow. But the boxes? They’re a good sign.
Until anything’s confirmed, residents can do what they do best: watch, wait, and speculate over an iced coffee — from wherever they can get one.
Source: Hoboken Girl
