Cheap Maggie’s
216 Washington Street, Hoboken 2960 Route 10, Morris Plains
This deep discounter is chock-full of brand-name designer clothing for the whole family, plus shoes, accessories, books and home decor. It’s a great shopping spot. Find hundreds of labels you know and love. Racks overflow with goodies from Anthropologie, Free People, Urban Outfitters, JBrand, Michael Kors, Under Armour and more.—SBB
Hoboken: 201-222-1121; Morris Plains: 973-998-0090.
Bass Pro Shop
30 N Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Atlantic City
Covering 86,000 square feet, Bass is heaven for outdoorsy types who love shopping. There’s a 13,000-gallon aquarium, a pistol range—even stuffed black bears and a grizzly. Above a stone fireplace hangs a replica of a 78.8-pound striped bass—the largest ever caught off Atlantic City. While you shop, note the two-story waterfall and handpainted murals of wildlife and rivers of the Garden State. Along with hunting and fishing gear, the inventory includes ATVs, boats and apparel for the whole family.—DPC
609-449-4500.
English Gardener Gift Shop
123 Kings Highway E, Haddonfield
Across Kings Highway from its sister establishment—a British pub-style restaurant called the Chip Shop—this well-stuffed store has everything an Anglophile could want: rugby jerseys, pint glasses, lotions, soaps, even kilts. It’s also the go-to for hard-to-find U.K. food—imported candies, teas, biscuits and ginger beer to authentic bangers and rashers. The shop hit its 10-year anniversary last May. And yes, they stock mushy peas, which are better than they sound.—MP
856-354-5051.
Gypsy Farmhouse
106 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove
If you believe the thrill of the hunt sweetens the prize, this eclectic shop is for you. Its three shopping floors (plus basement and outdoor space) are filled with one-of-a-kind objects and furniture, architectural salvage, garden décor and more. You may have the feeling you’re snooping in someone’s attic as you make your way through the creaky, 200-year-old building, but nearly everything you see is for sale: period drawer pulls, vintage textiles, shutters, windows, old doors, even a classic Dutch door with rusty hinges. Check out the owner’s photo book of custom-designed tables, chairs, benches and bookcases made from salvaged barn wood.—DPC
973-239-9886.
Habitat For Humanity ReStore
Multiple locations
Ready to remodel? Before you dole out big bucks on items like paint, windows, doors, sinks, tiles, countertops, cabinets and lighting, stop in at one of New Jersey’s 15 ReStore locations. These outlets sell donated builders’ surplus items, recycled building materials and new supplies at bare-bones prices. The inventory is ever changing, and quantities are often limited. Proceeds benefit Habitat’s building projects.—DPC
Lamington Lifestyles
285 Lamington Road, Bedminster
Formerly known as the Lamington General Store, Lamington Lifestyles is the go-to shopping place for unique items, from home décor and baby gifts to cool custom signs, women’s clothing, jewelry and pottery. They have fabulous seasonal items you won’t find elsewhere. The restored 1890s general store groans with two floors of goods from more than 80 artisans, plus custom farm tables and antiques. —MG
908-439-2034.
People’s Store Antiques & Design Center
F28 N Union Street, Lambertville
Discover one-of-a-kind, investment-quality European and American antiques, kitschy collectibles, furnishings, lighting, art, period clothing and eclectic chic junque at this river-town favorite. Located in the downtown shopping district, the store brims with 45 dealers on four levels of galleries, arcades and artist studios.—SBB
609-397-9808.
Somewhere in Time
233 Raritan Avenue, Highland Park
“I’m known for my sequins,” declares Lenny Paolillo as he leads a visitor through his neatly displayed collection of vintage dresses, gowns, coats, hats, jewelry and menswear. Indeed, sequins and embroidery abound—as do feathery boas, furs and anything beaded. Paolillo also stocks antique tableware (especially Depression glass), pottery and art. But his specialty is creating new garb from vintage textiles. While the location is new—he moved here in 2016—Paolillo claims his prices haven’t changed since he first opened 35 years ago in New Brunswick. Closed Tuesdays and Sundays.—KS
732-247-3636
Unique Thrift Stores
Multiple locations
It takes a determined thrifter to milk the most from this chain’s no-frills outposts. You may have to paw through a significant haystack to find the shiny needle here, but bargains are plentiful. The for-profit operation buys items from nonprofits—leftovers from rummage sales, flea markets and the like. There are lots of midrange labels, like Gap and Banana Republic, but A-list names such as Trina Turk, Tory Burch and Manolo Blahnik sometimes fly under the radar at terrific prices.—DPC