October 16, 2026
Lifted Spirits, a new wine and spirits shop from founders Greg Cochran and Stephen Denaro, has signed a lease for about 3,000 square feet of ground-floor retail at The Greyson, the 622-residence rental building at 25 Cottage Street in Journal Square. The shop is expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027.
A Wine Shop Built Around Education
Lifted Spirits is not planning to be a typical bottle shop. The concept centers on Old World wines priced roughly from $15 to $100, with tastings, education, and in-store activations built into the experience. The founders are also exploring classes for Greyson residents, which fits a building where thousands of potential regulars live upstairs.
Both founders come from the New York hospitality world. Cochran has nearly two decades of experience, including general manager roles at Murray’s Cheese, Great Jones Distilling Co., and Shukette. Denaro is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers who helped open Great Jones Distilling Co. and served as beverage director at Centurion NY. Cochran described the shop as much more than a place to buy a bottle of wine, and Denaro said the goal is to bring that hospitality experience into a neighborhood setting.
Michael Sokoloff, a partner at landlord Nasser Freres, said the shop will serve Greyson residents while also becoming a destination for the broader neighborhood.
Why Homestead Place Matters
The space fronts Homestead Place, the pedestrian-only plaza that connects the Journal Square PATH entrance on Pavonia Avenue with Newark Avenue. That is one of the most walkable stretches in the neighborhood, and it sits directly in the path of commuters heading to and from the station every day. For a destination-style retail concept like a wine shop, that kind of foot traffic, paired with a built-in residential base, is hard to beat.
What It Says About Journal Square Retail
Journal Square has added thousands of new apartments in recent years, and the retail is now catching up with a mix of food and beverage, service, and specialty concepts. A boutique wine shop with an educational focus is a good sign that operators see staying power in the neighborhood, not just commuter traffic.
If you are a retailer, restaurant, or service business looking at space in Journal Square or elsewhere in Jersey City, GRID’s leasing team can help you find the right fit.
Contact GRID Real Estate
Bobby Antonicello Jr., Licensed Real Estate Broker
bobby@gridcre.com | O: (201) 300-6489
