New Àbákẹ́ Books & Café Opens in Jersey City Heights

The cozy coffee and book shop aims to amplify marginalized voices and host community events.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Àbákẹ́ Books & Café, a new coffee and book shop, has opened in the Jersey City Heights neighborhood. Owner Jacquees Peace Thomas held a grand opening on February 19th for the shop, which sells coffee drinks, baked goods, and books that amplify marginalized voices. The shop is located in a former cleaners and took a year to transform into the vibrant new space.

Why it matters

The Heights section of Jersey City lacks a mass transit line, allowing it to preserve its neighborhood charm. The opening of Àbákẹ́ Books & Café brings a new community hub to the area, providing a space for locals to gather, read, work, and attend events.

The details

Àbákẹ́ Books & Café features ample space for reading, working, and enjoying coffee and baked goods. Owner Jacquees Peace Thomas said the name 'Àbákẹ́' comes from the name of her oldest known ancestor, who came to America on the last slave ship to Mobile. Thomas hopes to host community events and programs at the new space, and will rotate the coffee served, aiming to always have something from Africa.

  • Àbákẹ́ Books & Café held its grand opening on February 19, 2026.
  • It took Thomas a year to transform the former cleaners space into the new coffee and book shop.

The players

Jacquees Peace Thomas

The owner of Àbákẹ́ Books & Café, who transformed a former cleaners space into the new coffee and book shop.

Jake Ephros

The Jersey City Councilman for Ward D, who expressed excitement about the new bookstore opening in the Heights neighborhood.

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What they’re saying

“It took a year to do it, but five years to understand that it was part of my purpose.”

— Jacquees Peace Thomas, Owner, Àbákẹ́ Books & Café (Patch.com)

“This is already such a bright part of our community. We need more bookstores. I hope this isn't the last one. Peace is such a bright light.”

— Jake Ephros, Jersey City Councilman, Ward D (Patch.com)

What’s next

Thomas said she hopes to have community events and programs at the new Àbákẹ́ Books & Café space, and will continue rotating the coffee offerings to feature more products from Africa.

The takeaway

The opening of Àbákẹ́ Books & Café brings a new community hub to the Jersey City Heights neighborhood, providing a space for locals to gather, read, work, and attend events focused on amplifying marginalized voices - a much-needed addition to an area that has preserved its neighborhood charm.