The Café at Journal Squared, presented by Almost Home, has officially opened its doors in Jersey City, offering a fresh take on the role of a residential lobby.
The café offers premium coffee, matcha, baked goods, wraps, and salads, all served in a welcoming setting where people can work, socialize, and build connections with others in the neighborhood.
Located in the third and final tower of Journal Squared, a landmark mixed-use development by KRE Group and National Real Estate Advisors above the Journal Square PATH Station, the café exemplifies a shift toward creating vibrant, community-centric spaces within residential buildings. Now, a lively space that blends thoughtful design with engaging programming has created a dynamic hub for residents, commuters and locals.
“KRE Group’s vision for Journal Squared has always been to create spaces that feel alive with energy and purpose,” Jonathan Kushner, president of KRE Group said. “This new café in the lobby is an example of how residential design can go beyond the basics and become a space where community and connection thrive.”
The Café at Journal Squared is brought to life by Almost Home, a New Jersey-based brand known for its cafes, coffeehouses, and coffee carts, with 11 locations across New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Founder Robert Doran has crafted a menu that balances expertly brewed coffee for connoisseurs with whimsical, nostalgia-inspired drinks like the Cereal Latte—a playful nod to childhood mornings with milk from the cereal bowl—and the Dirty Yoo-hoo, a chocolatey espresso served in a Yoo-hoo bottle. For those seeking less sweetness, the pistachio milk matcha, made with Nekohama matcha, and the Monochrome, a latte with activated charcoal and a touch of vanilla, offer more sophisticated options.
“We have these fun drinks based on the things I grew up enjoying, but at the same time we do the basics really well,” Doran said. “Every season we are sourcing some of the best single-origin coffees from around the world, and we are constantly changing our offerings based on what is in harvest. We take a lot of pride in our espresso-based options and our pour overs, so we try to find a nice balance that includes both serious, high-quality coffee and fun, Instagram-worthy creations.”
The Café’s design mirrors its purpose, with seating for more than 50 guests, cozy sofas, and even playful rope swing chairs that encourage a sense of ease and relaxation. Open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the space is infused with natural light and a warm, inviting aesthetic. Future plans include expanding both the menu and operating hours to further enhance its offerings.
“We want to be a beacon for the community—a place to relax and connect,” Doran said. “KRE Group didn’t take shortcuts; they invested in creating a beautiful, welcoming café rather than just a simple coffee kiosk.”
The Café at Journal Squared is part of KRE Group’s larger vision to establish Journal Square as a vibrant cultural and community hub. The three-tower development includes 36,000 square feet of street-level retail, anchored by Magnolia Landing, a public plaza at the PATH Station that hosts year-round community programming such as farmers markets, food festivals, and live performances. Other retail tenants include Whealth Kitchen, a farm-to-table eatery, and Food Story Natural Market, the neighborhood’s first supermarket.
With its three striking towers, soaring 53, 60, and 68 stories into the skyline, Journal Squared encompasses 1,840 rental residences and over 100,000 square feet of amenities, including coworking lounges, fitness and wellness centers, a boxing gym, a recording studio, Sky Lounges, and rooftop pools with breathtaking Manhattan skyline views.
