Automat Kitchen opens in Jersey City, Academy Bus launches mobile app | Business Notes

Contactless Automat Kitchen opens in Jersey City

Jersey City’s new Automat Kitchen has opened at 525 Washington Blvd. with a chef-curated menu of modern comfort food made to order and a technology-driven contactless experience that fits diners’ needs.

Customers can order in advance on their phone or online, or at the location by scanning a QR code to connect to the menu and ordering system. There are kiosk screens at the location where orders can be placed without interacting with anyone. The guest then receives a code via text to click on to unlock the cubby/locker when the order is ready. The orders can be scheduled for a specific time as well. Order status will be displayed on the screens above the cubbies when received and when ready, the cubby number.

Consulting chef Quirino Silva’s modern comfort food menu includes dishes like Pastrami Reuben Flatbread; Frito Pie Burrito; The Wedge salad with iceberg lettuce, lardons, tomato and blue cheese dressing; Chicken Pot Pie with vegetables, puff pastry and creamy gravy; Spiced Roasted Cauliflower with turmeric, garam masala, sweet potato and cilantro; Massaman Curry Pot Roast with sweet potato, cauliflower, carrot; Chicken Dinner with half of a rotisserie chicken, black beans, brown rice and spicy sofrito sauce; Atlantic Salmon with miso roasted broccoli and ancient grains. Breakfast items like Waffle Sandwich with breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs and maple syrup; and smoothies like The Hulkster with kale, avocado, green apples, spinach and spirulina will be available as well.

Center to host ‘COVID-19 workplace webinar

The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC) will host a free webinar titled “COVID-19 Workplace Health/Safety & Worker Benefits: What Employers Need To Know” on Thursday, Feb. 18 at noon EST. The webcast will provide New Jersey businesses of all sizes with critical information regarding COVID-19 workplace safety and employee benefits.

In partnership with the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development, this tricounty virtual event will also feature economic development leaders from Hudson, Bergen, and Passaic counties.

Speakers will discuss state and federal worker benefits and protections, as well as health and safety resources for employers. Worker benefits topics will include reports on earned sick leave, paid family leave, and more. Speakers from the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development include Holly Low, manager of strategic outreach; and Mark Wadiak, assistant director.

Low’s work promotes the NJDOL’s commitment to equitable access to labor laws and protections, and she helps N.J. workers understand their rights.

Wadiak oversees the OSHA-PEOSH consultation and training programs and the Mine Safety Education Program. He has over 35 years’ experience with the New Jersey Department of Labor assisting companies in identifying OSHA hazards and developing effective safety and health programs.

The webinar will be streamed live and the slides and the recording will be circulated to all registrants after the webcast. Guests will be invited to ask questions and participate in the discussion. The February program will run for one hour and is free and open to the public. Registration for the session can be secured at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eZ4EdbkuSC-PoIdXJYRvYA.

Rising Tide Capital holds graduation for first all-online class

Rising Tide Capital held its Fall 2020 graduation ceremony for the first digital Community Business Academy (CBA) class on Thursday, Jan. 21. The graduation was the organization’s first entirely digital ceremony and featured a keynote from Ted Archer, head of small business within global philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase. Archer spoke to the graduating class of 121 entrepreneurs about the resiliency of small businesses and the need for community support during these extraordinary times. Additional speakers included Dr. Sue Henderson, president of New Jersey City University, along with Rising Tide graduates, board leadership, and alumni.

Spurred by the stay-at-home orders resulting from the COVID-19 public health emergency, Rising Tide transitioned their nationally recognized curriculum entirely online for the Fall 2020 class. Participants were also provided access to Rising Tide’s COVID-19 support services such as assistance with applying for public and private grants.

JPMorgan Chase has helped fund Rising Tide’s expansion throughout New Jersey and nationwide into underserved communities in Chicago, Charleston, Charlotte, and soon to rural areas in Minnesota, Louisiana, and Texas.

Rising Tide’s CBA, which began in 2006, has developed and nurtured a community of more than 3,000 entrepreneurs across New Jersey. The comprehensive business training program continues to yield impressive results; within 2 years of graduating its entrepreneurs achieve an 84 percent increase in their business sales, a 62 percent increase in household income, and a 59 percent reduction in the use of public assistance.

The Community Business Academy is offered twice a year in the spring and the fall. Participants learn business fundamentals like budgeting and bookkeeping, marketing, sales, and attracting financing. Classes are taught in both English and Spanish. While Rising Tide accepts applications for the Community Business Academy year round, the application deadline for the Spring 2021 program is March 5. Go to programs.risingtidecapital.org/community-business-academy to learn more.

New residential building at Port Imperial to open

Roseland Residential Trust, a subsidiary of Mack-Cali Realty Corporation (NYSE: CLI), recently announced the opening of The Capstone at Port Imperial, a new luxury residential building in Port Imperial. Located in the Riverwalk at Port Imperia
l, The Capstone features a mix of 360 units ranging in size from studios to four-bedroom homes. The building has 25,000 square feet of retail and covered public parking.

The Capstone’s amenitiesy includes a ninth floor indoor and outdoor lounge featuring a sundeck with views of the Hudson River and a 36,000-square-foot outdoor amenity deck including a two-level pool and spa, fireplace, barbeque grilling stations, outdoor billiards, foosball tables, outdoor theater, private cabanas, bocce court, and children’s play area.

The clubroom features a fireplace, billiards, and outdoor deck with views of the Hudson River and a party room with a work lounge coffee bar and private conference rooms is available for residents who work from home. Additional amenities include an indoor dog grooming room, golf simulator, children’s playroom, 24-hour concierge, bike storage and several private garages. Residents at The Capstone have access to the Roseland Living app, which streamlines resources into one place – from details about upcoming virtual events, Roseland perks and discounts, maintenance information, and access to the rent portal.

The Capstone will soon be joined by RiverHouse 9, a 313-unit building in Weehawken also developed by Roseland. Port Imperial offers access by ferry service to Manhattan, as well as the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail servicing the NJ Gold Coast.

All individuals entering the building are required to wear a face covering, respect social distancing, and follow reduced elevator capacity. To that end, every elevator boasts a state-of-the-art air purifier system for improved air circulation. Virtual tours are also available. For more information or to inquire about leasing at The Capstone, visit thecapstonepi.com, call 973-354-4450, or follow The Capstone on Instagram.

HCCC offers program in Culinary Business Innovation

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) is offering a new academic certificate in Culinary Business Innovation for career-oriented individuals who want to improve their employment opportunities or use their culinary talents to start a successful business.

Experienced and new culinary professionals who enroll in the 30-credit, two-semester Culinary Business Innovation certificate program will acquire the accounting, management, marketing, leadership, culinary, and entrepreneurial skills that are key to career and economic growth. Upon successfully completing the program, students will be professionally certified with the ServSafe Food Manager Certification.

The HCCC Culinary Business Innovation program is closely aligned with the curricular requirements of the HCCC Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Hospitality Management – Entrepreneurship Option. The A.A.S. degree program focuses on how new businesses are created and how they can thrive.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of chefs and head cooks to grow 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. Food Service Manager positions are projected to grow 9 percent, with the addition of 27,600 jobs.

Information about the HCCC Culinary Business Innovation certificate program may be obtained by contacting Janine Nunez at 201-360-4640 or [email protected].

Brown Harris Stevens agents recognized by NJ Realtors

Brown Harris Stevens announced that 14 of its New Jersey agents were recognized as 2020 NJ Realtors Circle of Excellence Sales Award Winners. The award honors those members who have displayed excellence in the field of salesmanship.

The following Brown Harris Stevens agents are this year’s Circle of Excellence Sales Award recipients:

2020 NJ Realtors Circle of Excellence Sales Award Platinum: Peter Cossio, Hoboken Office.

2020 NJ Realtors Circle of Excellence Sales Award Gold: Allison Maguire, Montclair Office; Dale Fior, Hoboken Office; Ann Wycherly, Hoboken Office.

2020 NJ Realtors Circle of Excellence Sales Award Silver: Lisa Dennin, Montclair Office; Sharon Shahinian, Hoboken Office.

2020 NJ Realtors Circle of Excellence Sales Award Bronze: Bradley Horner, Montclair Office; Maria Oblow, Hoboken Office; Elaine Pardalos, Montclair Office; Kathleen “Katie” Severance, Montclair Office; Lori Staselis, Hoboken Office; Gwendolyn “Gwen” Van der Zyppe, Montclair Office; Rich Woodhull, Hoboken Office.

2020 NJ Realtors Circle of Excellence Sales Award Distinguished Sales Club: Elaine Pardalos, Montclair Office.

Academy Bus launches mobile commuter app

Academy Bus has launched SilverPass, its first mobile device application. The app will offer complete mobile-based route planning, pay and ride capabilities for Academy’s daily commuter routes between New York City and destinations throughout New Jersey. Along with the new mobile platform, Academy is launching a new 40-Trip discount package, designed specifically for workers splitting their time between working from home and commuting to the office two or three days per week.

SilverPass will be available through Apple’s App Store for devices on the iOS platform and through the Google Play store for Android-based mobile devices. The app is powered by Moovit’s Mobility-as-a-Service platform, and Masabi’s Fare Payments-as-a-Service technology, both leading solution providers in the transportation industry.

SilverPass will allow commuters to plan their trip and pay for their tickets anytime, anywhere. Ticket inspection will be provided by a new Inspect App, giving staff the ability to securely validate tickets in a contactless and COVID-safe way. To make it easier to anticipate the arrival of their motorcoach, SilverPass will allow users to see its current location through the use of GPS technology.

Ahead of its launch, Academy Bus has been alerting current customers to the new app through on-board notices on its motorcoaches and has been actively training drivers on the new technology. While ridership continues to rebound from the low ridership levels during the peak of COVID-19 in the tri-state area, the launch of SilverPass is expected to enhance ridership overall through its contactless experience. For more information, visit Academy Bus on the web at www.academybus.com.

Hamilton Cove is now 50 percent leased

Hartz Mountain Industries has announced that luxury rental community Hamilton Cove is over 50 percent leased. As leasing momentum continues, the three-tower collection of 573 thoughtfully-designed residences located in the Lincoln Harbor area of Weehawken has also completed construction.

Hamilton Cove’s three towers, ranging from 12- to 15-stories high, were imagined alongside Hartz by local firm Marchetto Higgins Stieve Architects. The residences feature state-of-the-art fixtures and finishes, and range in size from studios to three-bedrooms, with several including private outdoor space. Located at 800 Harbor Boulevard, the project is currently offering up to six months free rent on a 26-month lease, on select homes.

The Marketing Directors is the exclusive marketing and leasing agent on the project and Greystar is responsible for management.

For more information can be found at www.hamiltoncoveapts.com.