Started by a small group of business innovators and serious ping pong competitors, PingPod is expanding across the East Coast (Philly, Boston, NY, NJ) and it’s easy to see why this brilliant concept is taking off. For one, it couldn’t be easier. It’s all self-service for one.

There is a famous adage in business – Do One Thing and Do it Exceptionally Well. That credo explains Sophie’s in a nutshell. While many nail salons perform ancillary services like waxes, threading, massage, etc., Sophie’s focuses exclusively on nails.

The chic, unique restaurant opened on downtown Newark Ave. in late August. The menu is a fusion of Italian and Japanese cuisines. The vibe is Japanese speakeasy replete with sexy lighting and a music-centered environment.

What a pleasant surprise to come across a Le Coffee Café in Jersey City. Since 2013, this growing coffee chain has been opening spacious and super-stylish cafes in some of the most iconic and desirable locations across Manhattan.

Open daily from 7am to 8pm (weekend opening times may be delayed to 8), this spot serves coffee in many iterations. Along with the house coffees and specialty espresso drinks there are cold chais, cold brews and matchas.

You may be aware of the situation at Liberty Humane Society right now through their and/or others shared social media posts. In short, they are way over capacity for large dogs and desperate for help from our community.

Attention potters and those aspiring to be one, a brand-new studio opens this month in Hamilton Park. Betty’s Ceramics joins the ranks of existing Jersey City studios like NYNJ Academy of Ceramic Art and Sandy Mones Pottery.

The great guys behind Venti, the beloved Italian-American food truck that sat Downtown at Exchange Place are moving on up! To a brick-and-mortar location on the West Side. 203 Academy St. to be exact.

It’s called Eritori and the food is Yakitori, which is Japanese for grilled bird. It’s a hugely popular dish in Japan that consists of serving every single part of a chicken, skewering it and preparing it over charcoal.

Our friends at Latham House recently opened a grand new restaurant in the West Side. Table is located on the ground floor of the 3Acres residential building directly across from the West Side Light Rail Stop.

131 Erie St. has seen a good number of businesses come and go, most notably the fantastic Blue Lotus Indian Restaurant. Their epic Brunch is missed by many. With that said, we are so happy they have an excellent successor in Bombay Vada House.

One of the biggest benefits of this cool system besides the utter convenience is the security. Once you sign up online or download the Oonee app, you have access to a pod that is much safer than an unprotected bike rack.

Everything is beautiful at Semicolon café. The small chain has shops in New York, New Jersey, Washington and Virginia. It’s the Jersey City branch at 70 Hudson St. however that boasts something extra special – their very own plant shop.

Jersey City’s second Medical Marijuana dispensary is now open. Downtown Flyr is located at 141 Newark Ave. following the opening of the first medical marijuana site to open here, RIPT Dispensary.