Boulevard Drinks to Close Jersey City Site in November

The long-standing Journal Square business will vacate its current home to make way for a new residential development.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Openings & Closings

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Boulevard Drinks will close its Jersey City location on November 29, 2026, to allow for a 55-story redevelopment by Nasser Freres. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Boulevard Drinks is set to close its doors at its current Jersey City location on November 29, 2026. The business, which has operated in Journal Square since 1937, is moving to accommodate a new high-rise project.

Why it matters

The site is being redeveloped by Nasser Freres into a 55-story tower featuring 840 residential units and a new Whole Foods. This court-mandated departure forces the business to relocate despite a lease that originally extended to 2034.

The property, which has been under Bardis family ownership since 1979, is being cleared for a 55-story tower containing 840 units. The business held a lease for the space until 2034 before the court ordered the current vacation of the site.

The players

Boulevard Drinks

This is a long-standing business that has served the Journal Square neighborhood of Jersey City for nearly nine decades.

Bardis family

They have been the owners and operators of Boulevard Drinks since their acquisition of the business in 1979.

Nasser Freres

This real estate developer is responsible for the planned 55-story tower project on the current site.

The details

Boulevard Drinks will vacate its long-time storefront to clear the footprint for the massive residential project. Other neighborhood establishments, including a local jewelry store and a clothing store, have already shuttered their operations to facilitate the site's transformation.

Timeline

  1. 1937: Boulevard Drinks began operations in Journal Square.

  2. 1979: The Bardis family acquired the business.

  3. November 29, 2026: The business will close its current location.

  4. Late spring 2027: The business expects to open at a new location.

Market Landscape

The closure of Boulevard Drinks follows the pattern of displacement set by the ongoing redevelopment of Journal Square. This move highlights the rapid shift in local retail as mid-century storefronts are cleared for high-density, mixed-use residential towers.

Customers of the historic establishment will need to find the new storefront when it opens in late spring 2027. The project will eventually bring a new Whole Foods to the neighborhood, altering the local grocery and retail landscape for nearby residents.

The takeaway

Legacy businesses often face significant logistical hurdles when forced to relocate due to urban revitalization efforts. Residents should stay alert for future announcements regarding the exact location of the new storefront in 2027.

Further reading

For more information on local business shifts, visit the Jersey City Openings & Closings section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by North Jersey.

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Should cities prioritize preserving historic small businesses over the construction of new large-scale residential developments?