Vintage New Jersey Shops in Historic Photos

New Jersey’s retail history stretches back well over a century, shaped by family-run shops, grand department store openings, and the everyday needs of growing communities. In the 1890s, Blauvelt’s in Hightstown sold silks, velvets, buttons, and dress trimmings at bargain prices.

Blauvelt's millinery and dress goods store in Hightstown, 1890s — Blauvelt’s millinery and dress goods store in Hightstown, 1890s

By 1900, the H. King clothing store held a prominent corner at Market and Halsey streets in Newark, while J. Summerson’s Handy Department Store in Blackwood offered home delivery for purchased goods.

H. King clothing store at the corner of Market and Halsey streets in Newark, 1900

J. Summerson's Handy Department Store in Blackwood, 1900 — J. Summerson’s Handy Department Store in Blackwood, 1900

In 1917, a massive crowd turned out in Plainfield for the grand opening of S.S. Kresge’s 5 & 10 Store on West Front Street. Five years later, Gianquitti’s store in Bernardsville ran as a tight family operation with the owner’s son and a small staff.

Grand opening of S.S. Kresge's 5 and 10 Store in Plainfield, 1917 — Grand opening of S.S. Kresge’s 5 and 10 Store in Plainfield, 1917

Staff and owners at Gianquitti's store in Bernardsville, 1922 — Staff and owners at Gianquitti’s store in Bernardsville, 1922

Samuel Paster opened his Bayonne store in 1916, and a decade later his family was still running it. Sears, Roebuck & Co. entered Camden in 1927 with a new store on Bridge Boulevard.

Hattie Paster and her children at the family store in Bayonne, 1928

Opening day at the Sears, Roebuck and Company store on Bridge Boulevard in Camden, 1927

During the 1930s and 1940s, general stores offered specialized goods. Edmund Einsiedel ran a store in Egg Harbor City where he sold pottery fired in his own kiln. J. Heinz’s store in Audubon dedicated an entire counter to assorted candy, and Ackerson’s in Newton displayed large textile samples hanging from the ceiling in its ladies’ department.

Edmund Einsiedel and his dog inside his general store in Egg Harbor City, 1930s

Candy counter at J. Heinz's store in Audubon, 1940s — Candy counter at J. Heinz’s store in Audubon, 1940s

Ladies' department at Ackerson's store in Newton. — Ladies’ department at Ackerson’s store in Newton.

The 1950s brought larger stores and organized shopping centers. Sidney and Herbert Hubschman opened a Two Guys from Harrison store in Lodi. In Woodbury in 1954, F.W. Woolworth’s and S.S. Kresge’s sat side by side between Curtis Avenue and Centre Street. Newberry’s in Red Bank stocked its toy department with Golden Books and Plasticville sets.

Two Guys from Harrison department store in Lodi, 1950s

F.W. Woolworth and S.S. Kresge stores in Woodbury, 1954

Toy department at Newberry's in Red Bank, 1950s — Toy department at Newberry’s in Red Bank, 1950s

W.T. Grant store at the Wyckoff Municipal Shopping Center, 1950s

The Middletown Shopping Center opened in November 1957 with parking for 1,400 cars. Into the 1960s, Betty Nametko ran Betty’s Department Store on a busy Wharton corner, and Sally’s on Main Street in Manasquan offered designer dresses and high-end accessories.

Grand opening of the Middletown Shopping Center, 1957

Betty's Department Store at the corner of Main Street and West Central Avenue in Wharton, 1960s — Betty’s Department Store at the corner of Main Street and West Central Avenue in Wharton, 1960s

Interior of the Bergen Department Store in Hasbrouck Heights, 1960s

Schulte-United variety store during Red Bank Days in Red Bank.

In Willingboro, Levittmark operated a furniture showroom that also stocked specific replacement parts for homes in the local Levittown development. On August 21, 1974, the Woolco department store held its grand opening at the Village Mall in Willingboro.