There are three Walmart stores, two Target stores, a dozen 7/11 stores, and a handful of Quick Chek and WaWa markets within a five-mile radius of my New Jersey home. And this is probably the case for many of you who are reading this. We live in an era of big-box chain shops and limitless choices. While that has its advantages, sometimes we long for a simpler time – a time when we knew all our neighbors, when kids played in the streets until the lights went on, and when general stores ruled the retail market. Though we can’t travel through time, we can transport ourselves back, if only for a while. How? With a visit to one of the few surviving New Jersey general stores that will surely make anyone feel nostalgic.
- Allenwood General Store, Allenwood
Joelamountain/TripAdvisor Though the store dates back over a century, the present location opened in 1972. Allenwood General offers a full deli menu, their famous pork roll sandwich, ice cream, antiques, gourmet chocolates, and more! For more information, head to the Allenwood General Store website.
- Rambo’s Country Store, Califon
Facebook/RambosCountryStore Small towns in New Jersey are often home to the most nostalgic places. Built in 1888, this general store has been in continuous operation ever since. It serves as a deli, butcher shop, and convenience store offering sundries and snacks. A community staple, Rambo’s prides itself on its quality service. History buffs will love the selection of vintage general store artifacts! For more information, head to the Rambo’s Country Store website.
- Highland General Store, Highland Lakes
Facebook/HighlandGeneralStore A family-owned business for over sixty years, Highland General Store offers all the essentials - groceries, home goods, hardware, pet supplies, liquor, beer, and wine, lottery, and more. For more information, head to the Highland General Store Facebook page.
- Schooley’s Mountain General Store, Schooley’s Mountain
MitchPhyllis65/TripAdvisor One of the more historic places in New Jersey on this list, Schooley’s was established in 1830. This old-fashioned general store now serves as a pizzeria, deli, gift shop, and grocery store. It offers all the essentials, and even delivers! For more information, head to the Schooley’s Mountain General Store website.
- North Haledon General Store, North Haledon
Facebook/NorthHaledonGeneralStore This local staple offers seeds, feeds, hardware, bait and tackle, landscaping supplies, pet supplies, and seasonal goods. For more information, head to the North Haledon General Store Facebook page.
- Columbus Deli & Grille at the General Store, Columbus
Facebook/ColumbusGeneralStore Operating primarily as a deli and grill, the shop also offers a selection of groceries and sundries. For more information, head to the Columbus Deli & Grille at the General Store website.
- Nixon’s General Store, Tabernacle
Nixon’s General Store/Facebook A “Best of Burlington County” winner and local staple since 1850, Nixon’s offers a deli, grill, fresh baked goods, hand-dipped ice cream, penny candy, and a large selection of convenience store items. They are well known for their scrumptious cheesesteaks and hoagies! For more information, head to the Nixon’s General Store Facebook page.
While there are dozens of New Jersey general stores, many exist only in name. For example, Cape May General Store serves only as a restaurant, as do the majority of so-called general stores in New Jersey. Many are former general stores that have been converted to keep up with the times and, while they are still lovely, they aren’t general stores in the traditional sense. We would love to expand this list and would appreciate you sharing your favorite local old-fashioned shops! Be sure to include photos, if possible!
Joelamountain/TripAdvisor
Though the store dates back over a century, the present location opened in 1972. Allenwood General offers a full deli menu, their famous pork roll sandwich, ice cream, antiques, gourmet chocolates, and more! For more information, head to the Allenwood General Store website.
Facebook/RambosCountryStore
Small towns in New Jersey are often home to the most nostalgic places. Built in 1888, this general store has been in continuous operation ever since. It serves as a deli, butcher shop, and convenience store offering sundries and snacks. A community staple, Rambo’s prides itself on its quality service. History buffs will love the selection of vintage general store artifacts! For more information, head to the Rambo’s Country Store website.
Facebook/HighlandGeneralStore
A family-owned business for over sixty years, Highland General Store offers all the essentials - groceries, home goods, hardware, pet supplies, liquor, beer, and wine, lottery, and more. For more information, head to the Highland General Store Facebook page.
MitchPhyllis65/TripAdvisor
One of the more historic places in New Jersey on this list, Schooley’s was established in 1830. This old-fashioned general store now serves as a pizzeria, deli, gift shop, and grocery store. It offers all the essentials, and even delivers! For more information, head to the Schooley’s Mountain General Store website.
Facebook/NorthHaledonGeneralStore
This local staple offers seeds, feeds, hardware, bait and tackle, landscaping supplies, pet supplies, and seasonal goods. For more information, head to the North Haledon General Store Facebook page.
Facebook/ColumbusGeneralStore
Operating primarily as a deli and grill, the shop also offers a selection of groceries and sundries. For more information, head to the Columbus Deli & Grille at the General Store website.
Nixon’s General Store/Facebook
A “Best of Burlington County” winner and local staple since 1850, Nixon’s offers a deli, grill, fresh baked goods, hand-dipped ice cream, penny candy, and a large selection of convenience store items. They are well known for their scrumptious cheesesteaks and hoagies! For more information, head to the Nixon’s General Store Facebook page.
If you love visiting old-fashioned general stores, then maybe you would also love to visit an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. Holsten’s in Bloomfield has been a favorite serving up scrumptious sundaes for over 75 years!
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Address: 3208 Allenwood Lakewood Rd, Allenwood, NJ 08720, USAAddress: 68 Main St, Califon, NJ 07830, USAAddress: 111 Highland Lakes Rd, Highland Lakes, NJ 07422, USAAddress: 250 Schooleys Mountain Rd, Schooleys Mountain, NJ 07870, USAAddress: 20 Manchester Ave, North Haledon, NJ 07508, USAAddress: 266 Atlantic Ave, Columbus, NJ 08022, USAAddress: 540 Chatsworth Rd, Tabernacle, NJ 08088, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
New Jersey General Stores April 09, 2021 MelissaM Are there any old-fashioned candy stores I can visit in New Jersey? If you have a sweet tooth, then you may want to partake in our old-school chocolate shops road trip through New Jersey. Visit some of the shops that have been around for decades, making life a little sweeter with delectable treats! If you’re in Chester, visit the whimsical Black River Candy Shoppe with thousands of treats, including some of your favorite nostalgic candies that will take you back to your childhood. What are some nostalgic places in New Jersey? Whether it’s a drive-in theater, drive-in restaurant, or vintage shop, we can find nostalgia places just about anywhere in the Garden State. Step back in time at the Carnival Antique Mall as you explore a 12,000-foot space of vintage, retro, and mid-century modern goods along with antiques. This incredible shopping experience is found in Sicklerville. The town of Wildwood is one that is stuck in the 1950s and 60s with its retro motels, diners, and boardwalk. It will make you long for simpler times of the past. What are some of the best retro diners I can visit in New Jersey? The Garden State has some incredible retro diners that will transport you and your taste buds back in time. Tops Diner in East Newark is as classic a diner as you can find. Dine on classic egg and waffle breakfast dishes or comfort food like mac and cheese while sipping on a milkshake. You will love the ambiance and the food. The Tick Tock Diner in Clifton has been around since 1948, serving up big portions, and has created memories for many families for generations. If you haven’t been to Tick Tock Diner yet, you are missing out!
The OIYS Visitor Center
New Jersey General Stores
April 09, 2021
MelissaM
Are there any old-fashioned candy stores I can visit in New Jersey? If you have a sweet tooth, then you may want to partake in our old-school chocolate shops road trip through New Jersey. Visit some of the shops that have been around for decades, making life a little sweeter with delectable treats! If you’re in Chester, visit the whimsical Black River Candy Shoppe with thousands of treats, including some of your favorite nostalgic candies that will take you back to your childhood. What are some nostalgic places in New Jersey? Whether it’s a drive-in theater, drive-in restaurant, or vintage shop, we can find nostalgia places just about anywhere in the Garden State. Step back in time at the Carnival Antique Mall as you explore a 12,000-foot space of vintage, retro, and mid-century modern goods along with antiques. This incredible shopping experience is found in Sicklerville. The town of Wildwood is one that is stuck in the 1950s and 60s with its retro motels, diners, and boardwalk. It will make you long for simpler times of the past. What are some of the best retro diners I can visit in New Jersey? The Garden State has some incredible retro diners that will transport you and your taste buds back in time. Tops Diner in East Newark is as classic a diner as you can find. Dine on classic egg and waffle breakfast dishes or comfort food like mac and cheese while sipping on a milkshake. You will love the ambiance and the food. The Tick Tock Diner in Clifton has been around since 1948, serving up big portions, and has created memories for many families for generations. If you haven’t been to Tick Tock Diner yet, you are missing out!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you have a sweet tooth, then you may want to partake in our old-school chocolate shops road trip through New Jersey. Visit some of the shops that have been around for decades, making life a little sweeter with delectable treats! If you’re in Chester, visit the whimsical Black River Candy Shoppe with thousands of treats, including some of your favorite nostalgic candies that will take you back to your childhood.
What are some nostalgic places in New Jersey?
Whether it’s a drive-in theater, drive-in restaurant, or vintage shop, we can find nostalgia places just about anywhere in the Garden State. Step back in time at the Carnival Antique Mall as you explore a 12,000-foot space of vintage, retro, and mid-century modern goods along with antiques. This incredible shopping experience is found in Sicklerville. The town of Wildwood is one that is stuck in the 1950s and 60s with its retro motels, diners, and boardwalk. It will make you long for simpler times of the past.
What are some of the best retro diners I can visit in New Jersey?
The Garden State has some incredible retro diners that will transport you and your taste buds back in time. Tops Diner in East Newark is as classic a diner as you can find. Dine on classic egg and waffle breakfast dishes or comfort food like mac and cheese while sipping on a milkshake. You will love the ambiance and the food. The Tick Tock Diner in Clifton has been around since 1948, serving up big portions, and has created memories for many families for generations. If you haven’t been to Tick Tock Diner yet, you are missing out!
