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Karen K.
Hometown:
Trenton, NJ, 08628
InsiderRank: 11,833
First Reviews: 8
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Circle Liquor Store
I have long been a fan of Circle Liquors even before I moved five minutes away from it... I would stop in if I were in the area or even make a special trip just because I didn't have anything like it nearby me- a place with enough obscure beers that I could happily browse and select some that I'd never tasted before. I knew they had plenty of old favorites, too so I could always fall back on those if nothing else tempted me that day. They have microbrews from all over the U.S. plus scores of foreign beers to help you pretend for a short time that you're off in some distant local.
Hamilton Farmers Market
If you want a vast variety of produce at better than grocery store prices, check out the Hamilton Farmer's Market. The best deals are their fresh herbs and the bulk dried fruits and nuts, but also impressive is the countless variety of different ethnic foods. Fair warning - you have to be discerning when it comes to some fruits and vegetables- the quality can vary from day to day (and season to season)- so buyer beware. Also a great spot to buy flowers.
Cream Ridge Winery
This winery seems to specialize in its fruit wines, and has a monthly schedule of what kinds will be brought out. All their current wines are available for tasting in their store, along with gourmet foods for sale. I especially enjoy their Apricot Dinner wine and Sangria. The staff there is nice and very helpful, and they have several events throughout the year to showcase a new vintage or celebrate a season or holiday. The setting is very peaceful and rural, and makes for a pleasant drive out there.
House of Music
Though I can't say that larger music stores have disappointed me with their prices and services, I wanted to try a small local provider to see what the difference would be. Well, if I wanted to pay twice as much for the same guitar strings I buy at the big stores, I would have been in the right place. But I was asked if I needed help immediately upon entering, and their selection of guitar upstairs was varied and impressive, so I can't knock them completely. But expect to pay a premium if you do want to be treated like the only customer in the store.
Russo Music Ctr
The staff is fairly helpful and knowledgable, and I've been occasionally shopping there since '95 when I bought my first acoustic guitar there. But I find their prices to be a notch down from the best, and the last two times I went in to buy my preferred brand of strings they were not in stock. As to why or when they would be available no one was forthcoming with information. It's also a difficult location if you're coming off of westbound 195.
Freehold Music Ctr
I've been in this store more times than I can count, and have purchased my prefered brands of guitar and mandolin strings there regularly due to their highly competitive prices. I love to browse their guitars, and one time I was even given an impromptu lesson from one staff member... this place definitely has it all, and if they don't have it they'll get it for you.
Red White & Blue Thrift
I've been faithfully making the trip out to RW&B for a dozen years now, even though I've moved several times throughout central Jersey. I really have never found another thrift store with the same quantity and quality of merchandise. The place is huge and has high ceilings, so you can avoid finding that sometimes unpleasant "thrift-store-smell" that permeates the room and the clothes. It's always got a bunch of people there shopping so the turnover is very high- which helps items from becoming stale and keep the current stuff coming in. The prices are more than reasonable and there's much more than clothes... they have furniture, books, records, toys, kitchenware, etc. I don't think I've ever left there emptyhanded. All you need is a lot of patience and time!
Salvation Army
The modest amount of household items as you walk in is followed by a decent selection of clothing, but the back of the store has a nice area of furniture worth a look at if you're searching for something in good condition at a fair price. This smallish store doesn't get the kind of constant business that the larger Red, White, and Blue down the road does, but any serious thrift shopper should stop in as part of the trip to the other store. It's definitely fun and worth the effort.
Princeton Consignment Boutique
Some consignment stores seem to take just about anything their clientele wants to sell- whether or not it's trendy, practically new, or designer. This place, however, has the highest of standards on all three counts- their policy is the item has to be current (from the last 2 years), new or nearly new, and most of the stuff has the elusive designer labels inside. When I was there I saw Chanel pants and impressive-named shoes alongside some more accessibly priced items from places like Talbots and Bebe. But be prepared to pay for it (those pants were marked $115). The good news it that their tiered pricing system means that the longer something's on the rack, the lower th price falls.
Golden Nugget Antique Flea Mkt
This is probably my favorite flea market, and I make a point to stop in at least a few times a year- specifically to treat myself to some new additions to my modest record collection. Not only do numerous vendors have crates of records as part of their displays, but tere's actually a store in the indoor market that's open year round and devoted to vinyl. They tend to be pricier than outside, but the condition is guaranteed and they'll test play the record before you buy it if you ask. Aside from my vinyl searchings, the market has infinite temptations for bargaining- so much fun!