Coffee Talk with Candice and Darden
The Paulus Hook population has grown exponentially over the past 20 years, but it remains a close-knit, community oriented neighborhood, where lifelong friendships are born over random meetings in coffee shops.
Darden met Candice Osborne twenty years ago stoop sitting across from Two Aprons on Warren St, and these two Southern transplants became fast friends. Since leaving City Council office (Candice was downtown Councilwoman from 2013-17), Candice has been busy working on a startup, in addition to her fulltime day job and being a single mom to her son Hunter, now a senior at St. Peter’s Prep.
Candice is first and foremost a friend but also a client – The Moorefield Group of Keller William JC sold Candice’s Morris St. apartment in 2017. Working with our current TMG clients has kept Darden’s schedule at an exciting, breakneck pace as well, so it was a real treat for the two to meet up recently over another cup of coffee.
D: Hi, Candice. So good to see you!
C: You too. Hold on. [Candice takes a quick call and hangs up]. Sorry about that. That was Hunter calling me back. Had to remind him to walk the dog.
D: I can’t believe he is graduating high school.
C: I know, right? Time flies when you’re working 80 hours a week for 18 years!
D: That’s the first thing I remember about meeting you. You had this cute little baby and you looked so young and relaxed. I thought, who IS this woman?
C: Well, I was young, that’s for sure. I remember meeting you for the first time, too.
D: What is your recall? Do I even want to know?
C: Yes. It was the first time I had ever met someone who ironed their t-shirts. I felt out of my element.
D: Oh honey, you were a young single mom. You had no time to iron your t-shirts.
C: That’s very kind but son or no son, I am never going to iron my t-shirts. That’s just not going to happen.
D: It’s not that hard.
C: Great. It will never happen. I miss you.
D: I miss you too, Candice. So how’s life post-office? What do you miss the most?
C: My colleagues. And my parking space!
D: Ha.
C: You know what else I realized, though? Work/life balance is not what it’s cracked up to be. I like to be stretched to the limit as much as possible. That’s my zone.
D: I agree. It is exhilarating to create something. Look at all these new businesses going up everywhere. Seriously could you have imagined this 20 years ago?
C: I know right? Especially the restaurants. But I’m loyal to my places. Tacqueria Viva Mexico. When I lived on Morris Street, Hunter and I ate there all the time. And I still love my Satis Bistro. [Candice picks up ringing phone, and hands it to Darden]. It’s Hunter. He wants to talk to you.
[Darden and Hunter chat briefly].
C: What was that about? Was he trying to get you to convince me to give him my car for the weekend?
D: He called to thank me for bringing you chicken soup last week. What a nice kid, Candice.
C: He is, right? He really appreciates that you look out for me. I was sick as a dog. I am telling you that chicken soup did the trick. You’re such a good friend, Darden.
D: So are you, Candice. You know that’s what keeps me here. We have had the same circle of friends for so long, it really is a family. This is how I’ve always lived, with a tribe of people to go through life with. People to share your success with and to get through challenges with.
C: You know I so appreciate it. I have been working so hard the past twenty years that I have never had time to build up a big group of friends. But the truth is, all you really need is a couple of good ones.
D: Agree. And I have always really admired that about you, your intensity. Nothing is handed to you. Plus you’re funny as hell. I love a woman with a quick one liner.
C: I’ll take that compliment.
D: Do you ever get homesick for your friends and family back home?
C: Every time I go back South, I realize how much I miss the people. I do. But I have had a great run here in Jersey City. It’s funny, when Hunter and I moved here when I started at Stern [NYU’s Business School], I never went through that whole thing of wanting to live in New York City. The minute we took the PATH over here and saw Paulus Hook, I was like this is it.
D: I had the same feeling when I moved here from New York City. I knew it was something special.
C: Your friend Bob told me you were the King of the club scene back in the day.
D: Well, I am not one to brag –
C: Yeah you are.
D: As I was saying I am not one to brag but I did have my moment. But that moment has passed. I am a homebody now and proud of it. It’s all about being at home with friends and Greg and my dog when I am not working.
C: Shoot, if I lived in your home, I would never leave. Ever.
D: Come over anytime!
C: I found it so intimidating the first time I went to your house years ago. Now I just lap up the luxury. When Hunter leaves, maybe I will move into your guest bedroom.
D: Oh Candice, I don’t know if that’s the best thing. I have been told I am a little, um, exacting.
C: A little? Hey, I don’t blame you. You work hard to create such a beautiful home.
D: Wait a minute. You said you have had a great run here. That sounds ominous. Are you thinking of leaving us?
C: I’m not sure, to be honest. With Hunter graduating soon, I am at this crossroads of sorts. I am open to anything. My day job has an office in Barcelona. I went there last year and completely fell in love with it.
D: Me too! I went a month after you.
C: They are the nicest people. And the Coast is so beautiful, it’s a spiritual experience going to Spain. I also really love Greenville, South Carolina. Where your real estate dollars go a little bit farther, to say the least.
D: But it’s not Jersey City, is it.
C: Well, there is that.
D: I’d hate to see you go, Candice. But it’s a big world out there. I think you would miss it though. I know you would. What do you think you would miss the most if you left?
C: Lounging on your sofa having a martini. Oh, and my hairdresser. It’s the little things, my friend.
D: Yes, it is.