If you’ve lived in Jersey City for more than a minute, you know the corner of JFK Boulevard and Bergen Avenue. It’s loud. It’s chaotic. It’s the soul of the city. For nearly 40 years, that corner was synonymous with one name: CH Martin Jersey City Journal Square.
It wasn't exactly a luxury boutique. Honestly, it was the kind of place where you’d go for a $10 floor lamp and walk out with a pack of socks, a set of steak knives, and a weirdly specific kitchen gadget you didn't know existed. But as of late 2024 and early 2025, the "Everything Must Go" signs became permanent.
The store is gone. Now, people are staring at a massive 28-story gap in the skyline, wondering where they’re going to get their cheap housewares.
The Rise and Fall of the "Values Galore" Empire
CH Martin wasn't just a Jersey City thing, but it felt like it. The chain served the NY/NJ area for over four decades. The Journal Square location at 80 Journal Square was a beast. It sat right above the PATH tracks, acting as a literal gateway for commuters.
Most people don't realize that the store was actually part of a dying breed of "urban department stores." Think back to the days of Woolworth’s or McCrory’s. It was a place where you didn't need a car to go "department store" shopping. You just hopped off the train.
Why did it close?
It’s easy to blame Amazon. And yeah, local Redditors have pointed out that you could sometimes find the same air mattress on Amazon for half the price CH Martin was charging. But the real story is about real estate.
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The land beneath CH Martin became worth significantly more than the towels and t-shirts inside it.
The site is being transformed into a 28-story skyscraper. We're talking 400 residential units, a massive outdoor plaza, and—ironically—only about 3,000 square feet of retail space. That’s a fraction of what CH Martin occupied.
What the Development Means for Journal Square
The Planning Board approved this thing a while back, and it’s part of the "Jersey City 2060" redevelopment plan. The Goldman family, who owned the store, is actually part of the development team. They saw the writing on the wall.
- The Design: MHS Architecture designed the new building to look like a "stage curtain" lifting up.
- The Amenities: It’s going to have a café right next to the Loew’s Jersey Theatre.
- The Impact: It effectively ends the era of "discount row" in Journal Square.
A lot of long-time residents are pretty salty about it. You’ll hear people at the bus stop talking about how the neighborhood is becoming "unrecognizable." One day you’re buying a cheap blender at CH Martin, the next day there’s a luxury tower with a "sky pool" across the street. It's a lot.
The "Secret" PATH Entrance Drama
Here is a bit of Jersey City lore that most people missed. For years, there was a subterranean passageway that led directly from the basement of CH Martin into the PATH station.
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It’s been closed for decades.
When the new 80 Journal Square tower was being negotiated, there was a rumor—and some actual discussion—about reopening that tunnel. The developer supposedly wanted 17 extra stories in exchange for reopening the PATH entrance.
It didn't happen.
Depending on who you ask, the Port Authority nixed it, or the City Council said no. Either way, that "secret" entrance is likely sealed forever behind tons of new concrete and steel.
Where to Shop Now That CH Martin is Gone
If you’re looking for that specific "I need everything for my apartment and I only have $50" vibe, your options are shrinking.
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- CH Martin in The Heights: Surprisingly, the location on Central Avenue has managed to hang on longer than its Journal Square brother. It’s smaller, but the vibe is the same.
- Modell’s and Danice: Many of the other "anchors" of the Square have also faced pressure. Danice is still holding it down for clothing, but for housewares, most people are now trekking to the Target near the Holland Tunnel or the Walmart in Bayonne.
- Local Bodegas: For the small stuff, the bodegas along Newark Ave are still your best bet, though they won't have the "department store" variety.
The Nuance of Gentrification
We have to be real here: CH Martin wasn't perfect. Some locals complained the prices had crept up too high for a discount store. Others pointed out that the store hadn't been renovated since the Reagan administration.
But it represented a type of accessibility. When a 28-story tower replaces a discount store, the "customer" of that corner changes from a local commuter to a high-earning renter.
Actionable Steps for Jersey City Residents
If you’re mourning the loss of the CH Martin Jersey City Journal Square location, or just trying to navigate the "new" Journal Square, here is what you can actually do:
- Track the Construction: Keep an eye on the 80 Journal Square project. The "plaza" they promised is supposed to be a public amenity. Make sure the developers actually keep it public and don't just turn it into a private lounge for residents.
- Support Central Ave: if you want to keep the last CH Martin alive, head up to The Heights. Retail follows the money; if nobody shops there, that one will be a "luxury boutique" by 2027.
- Voice Your Opinion: The Jersey City Planning Board meetings are open to the public. If you hate the fact that 17,000 square feet of office space is replacing a community-staple retail store, show up and say it.
- Visit the Loew's: With the new development next door, the Loew's Jersey Theatre is becoming the centerpiece of the Square. Supporting their shows helps keep the "old" character of the neighborhood alive amidst all the glass and steel.
The loss of CH Martin is more than just a store closing. It's the final signal that Journal Square has officially "arrived" in the eyes of big-money developers. Whether that’s a good thing depends entirely on whether you’re looking for a $5 frying pan or a $4,000 studio apartment.
Next Steps for You: Check the latest permits on the Jersey City Open Data portal to see the exact timeline for the 80 Journal Square groundbreaking, or visit the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency (JCRA) website to see what else is planned for the Bergen Avenue corridor.