Not doing all your shopping at local and independent stores yet? The holiday season is the easiest time to stroll some of New Jersey’s great downtowns and get lots of shopping done all at once. And, you won’t hate shopping anymore if you skip the crowded malls. This weekend we visited some really great shops in Jersey City along Newark Avenue and Grove Street.
Our first stop was at Fussy Friends where our friend and artist Kayt Hester works. She acted as our Jersey City tour guide for this shopping trip since she lives and works here.
Fussy Friends has a nice selection of starter fish tanks that any kid would be sure to enjoy. Even adults would love a little fish buddy!
For your friends and family that have dogs and cats, there is a wide variety of toys, furniture and treats for those fuzzy pals. Look at this whole wall of scratching posts! Our cats would be in heaven!
Fussy Friends also has cat adoptions every weekend so you could get the kids a new friend. They also have a store cat who’s always available for adoption. Every few months it seems like they get a new store cat because the previous one was adopted. What a great program.
Our next stop was Metropolis Music down Newark Avenue from Fussy Friends. We love a good music shop and this had everything you’d ever want for the musician in your life.
Look at all the cool guitars! I bet there are at least two people on your gift list who would be crazy about getting a new guitar for their collection or a guitar to start learning how to play.
Or, you could get that super hip friend a ukulele as a gift. Mark, the owner of Metropolis Music, said that these are extremely popular right now and he thinks he sells more ukes than anything else in the store.
They even have banjos!
They also have amps, straps, strings, picks, percussion equipment, tab books and just about anything you can think of to go with an instrument. They also have lessons in store so you could give the gift of learning.
Our journey then led us up to Grove Street where we visited Another Man’s Treasure vintage store. They are in their current location through at least the end of the year but will be moving to a space that’s about three times as big. Can’t wait to see all the great stuff they’ll be able to fit into the new place.
Everything at Another Man’s Treasure is vintage and awesome. Cocktail shakers and glasses. Tie bars. Sunglasses. Who wouldn’t want this kind of stuff as a gift?
Look at these amazing leather jackets!
And, cool ties and belts.
Down Grove Street and past City Hall we found Another Man’s Treasure’s future space next to Kanibal & Co.‘s new space on the corner of Grove and Montgomery. Kanibal moved across the street recently to this new building right by City Hall.
They have a vintage feel but it’s all new merchandise here. When we entered the store a giant moose head was making its way out the door. The items they stock are an eclectic mix of home decor, clothes and personal care products. Even with the new space, the store was packed with customers.
The merchandising staff does a great job here. Everything looks amazing.
They also had a really cool selection of Jersey City t-shirts.
Along the way to all the above stores, we saw lots of other stores filled with gift ideas.
Tia’s Place on Grove Street was packed with everything a fashionista would want. They offer lots of cool clothes and accessories at a variety of price points which is helpful if you need to buy for a lot of people.
Word Bookstore and Cafe on Newark Avenue has kids books, YA and adult books as well as calendars and cool literary gift items like bookish socks. They also have a nice looking cafe at the back of the store so you can grab coffee and a snack while you shop.
Mint Market on Grove Street has both vintage and contemporary clothing and accessories. Look at that cool dress in the window!
Fairy Tale Place on Newark Avenue had tons of toys and kids clothes.
Gallerie Hudson had lovely art and does custom framing if you already have something you’d love to make into a gift. They also do photo restoration so you could surprise Mom with some lovingly restored family photos!
Hudson County Art Supply was filled with tons of things for a budding child artist or adult artist in your family.
We were really impressed with the selection of Converse and kids shoes at Morlees on Newark Avenue. They also had lots of outwear and boots. This was a store that we’ll definitely be exploring more of and getting some more gifts.
You might be surprised at how many gifts you can find at a great local hardware store! Downtown Hardware on Newark Avenue has tool sets, storage ideas and housewares galore for a new home owner, college student or anyone who wants to be more handy around the house.
Check out all the pictures from our visit to Jersey City and Shop Local, NJ!
Copyright, You Don’t Know Jersey, LLC (2010-2024)
about the author: Alice Magdziak
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