Small Business Saturday is a boon to mom-and-pop (or mom-and-mom, pop-and-pop, just mom or just pop) shops all over South Jersey.
We love our small businesses, but we also love convenience. So here are some downtown districts to visit this Small Business Saturday — or anytime year-round, to keep the hearts of our communities beating.
Haddonfield
Haddonfield is well-known for its Kings Highway, Tanner Street and Haddon Avenue shops and restaurants. Inkwood Books is an independent bookstore that hosts frequent appearances by local authors. Ahead of the Pack has presents for your favorite furry friends. Duffy’s and Mecha Chocolates offer sweets for your sweet. Home on Haddon and Meraki Market have decor and plants, respectively, to make your abode more cozy; while the Happy Hippo has toys for kids of all ages. Look for specials, events and candlelight shopping as well. For a list of shops, visit www.downtownhaddonfield.com/shop/
Collingswood
Collingswood kicks off its Small Business Saturday with its annual Holiday Parade. But there are plenty of reasons to stick around after the last fire truck (and its red-clad, white-beaded passenger) rolls by. Occasionette has cards and gifts, many showing off Philly-area flair. Arts Plus also has an eclectic selection of gifts, decor and accessories, or they can frame keepsakes and art. Bespoke has plants and other home decor to bring some life to those cold winter months. Ida’s Bookstore sells books by female authors and people of color. Extraordinary Ed has educational and fun toys, books and games — and even hosts Santa for free visits. For more information and events, visit https://tinyurl.com/z7ua3r37
Rancocas Woods
Just because it’s a bit off the beaten path doesn’t mean Rancocas Woods isn’t worth a visit. In fact, that’s part of the appeal for this quaint collection of shops, including Creek Mercantile (antiques, decor, furnishings and gifts); Bountiful Collective (jewelry, decor, gifts, clothing); Thyme Travelers Conservatory (plants and wellness items); Second Time Books and more. There are also places to grab a bite, whether it’s a hot dog or ice cream, deli fare or Tex-Mex barbecue. For a list of shops, events and more, visit https://rancocaswoodseventsnshops.com/
Pitman
Usually when we talk about business districts, it’s downtown, but Pitman zigs when everyone else zags, with its shops, restaurants and small businesses in Uptown Pitman. The Broadway business area includes a bookstore, antique stores, clothing and jewelry boutiques, comics and collectibles, and several restaurants with Italian, American, pub fare, Mexican, Asian, Mediterranean cuisines and more. For a more experienced-based gift, the Broadway Theatre has shows all season. Visit https://uptownpitman.com/ for more information and a list of businesses.
Bordentown
Bordentown’s collection of quirky shops and art galleries are a great place to find something different, unique or vintage for the hardest-to-please people on any list. Farnsworth Avenue and surrounding streets are home to a record store, yarn and knitting store, a shop specializing in Native American pottery, bookstore and more. And there are plenty of places to grab a nice lunch or dinner after working up an appetite shopping, from fine dining to pubs to casual spots to grab pizza or sandwiches. For more information, visit http://downtownbordentown.com/
Mount Holly
Mount Holly is more than the county seat for Burlington County; it’s also a charming, historic town with boutiques, art galleries and restaurants like the Robin’s Nest. Along the High Street downtown corridor, shoppers can find something for kids, foodies, antique enthusiasts, audiophiles, cigar lovers, even witches. In addition to Robin’s Nest’s French/American fare, there are restaurants specializing in Ecuadoran, Irish, Jamaican and Caribbean foods — not to mention breweries, distilleries and wine tasting rooms. For more information, visit http://mainstreetmountholly.org/
Hammonton
Hammonton’s tagline is “small town feel, big city appeal,” and that’s a pretty accurate way to describe First Lady Jill Biden’s hometown, a place with great ethnic restaurants and specialty shops, but also sprawling farms and bucolic markets. Check out its antique and vintage boutiques, but also its must-visit destinations for foodies like Bagliani’s Market, Inferrara’s and Tales of the Olive. If you like Italian and Mexican cuisines, Hammonton is a definite dining destination. For more information, visit www.hammonton.com/
Phaedra Trethan has been a reporter and editor in South Jersey since 2007 and has called the region home since 1971. Contact her at [email protected], on Twitter @wordsbyPhaedra, or by phone at 856.486-2417.
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