Jersey Digs | Cangiano’s Expands to Journal Square, Celebrates Grand Opening

By Bill Hartnett | For more than five years, Jersey City residents have flocked to Hamilton Park to enjoy fresh sandwiches, hot dishes and desserts at Cangiano’s Marketplace. Now locals have two locations to choose from with the opening of a second shop in Journal Square. The new Cangiano’s can be found at 531 Summit Avenue on the ground floor of the Journal Squared residential development.

Cangiano’s is the newest addition to the food hub at Journal Squared. Developers KRE Group and National Real Estate Advisors hoped to make the three towers a dynamic food destination for both residents and the community. Cangiano’s joins Food Story Natural Market, Whealth Kitchen and The Café at Journal Squared presented by Almost Home. KRE also established Magnolia Landing, a public plaza at the Journal Square PATH that hosts live performances, food festivals and farmers markets.

“We are transforming Journal Square not only into a thriving residential community, but a culinary destination as well,” commented Jonathan Kushner, President of KRE Group. “Cangiano’s is a great addition to the neighborhood, one that we know will quickly become the go-to place for fresh sandwiches, prepared foods, and specialty products.”

The first Cangiano’s recently celebrated five years as one of Jersey City’s favorite sandwich spots. In 2020 Cosmo Cangiano and partners Norman Bonoan and Steve Maugeri opened the Italian deli in Hamilton Park at 225 Pavonia Avenue. Cosmo drew his inspiration from his grandmother who opened Cangiano’s Pork Store in Brooklyn back in 1919. Despite the difficult start during the Covid-19 pandemic, Cangiano’s won over locals and soon customers were coming from all over Jersey City, including Journal Square.

“We have a lot of customers who come from Journal Square at least once a week to shop here and they always say to me ‘when are you going to open something near us?” offered Cosmo Cangiano. “We like Journal Square because it is an up-and-coming area right next to the train station. We see all of the buildings going up and there is a lot of foot traffic. So, when the opportunity to open something there presented itself, we went for it.”

The menu at both locations features 33 sandwiches (up from 8 in 2020), plus lasagna, eggplant parmesan, grilled salmon, specialty cheeses, Italian imports as well as other hot items and prepared foods. Daily specials include a sandwich of the day, protein of the day and pasta of the day. Dessert lovers will find a broad selection of cookies, pastries, cheesecake and, of course, homemade cannoli.

“There is pistachio cannoli, lemon cannoli, hazelnut cannoli, and more,” added Cangiano. “All excellent and traditional.”

Cangiano’s expansion plans don’t stop at Journal Squared. In 2024, they announced plans to open two new locations. With 531 Summit Avenue up and running, the next outlet is coming to 316 15th Street in the Emerson Lofts complex in Jersey City’s SoHo West neighborhood.

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