Decked out for the season, Hunterdon County’s historic main streets invite visitors to experience specialty shopping, friendly service, festive events
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – Hunterdon County’s Main Streets are dressed up for the season and ready to welcome visitors and shoppers.
HunterdonMainStreets.com is an initiative designed to showcase Hunterdon’s main street business districts and highlight all that makes them an attractive destination. Along with the website, residents and tourist alike can follow on social media and by way of newsletter to keep up with dining, shopping, and events in in the charming towns of Clinton, Flemington, Frenchtown, Lambertville, High Bridge, Milford, and Stockton.
Picturesque and walkable, Hunterdon’s Main Streets shine in December with Victorian décor, embellished shop windows, special events, friendly service, unique gifts, and extended hours for shopping. Once your list is complete, head to a cozy coffee shop or restaurant to enjoy the local flavor.
“It is so exciting to see holiday events returning to Hunterdon’s Main Streets this year. We invite everyone to enjoy the festivities, the decorations, the restaurants and cafes, and the unique shops,” said Sue Soloway, Hunterdon County Commissioner. “Shopping local is fun, easy, and you will always find great gifts and friendly service.”
Flemington
Flemington residents and photographic artists Dave and Ally Norton opened The Corner in early 2021. Nestled on the corner of Main and Bloomfield, in the historic Clock Tower building, the home and gift shop is light-filled and inviting with artful displays of unique goods. “For the holidays, we are featuring items from small manufacturers and local artisans. When you visit the Corner, we want to delight you with things you may have
not seen before,” explained Ally Norton. Popular gift items include handmadeornaments in the shape of New Jersey, notebooks and towels inscribed with “Flemington” or “Hunterdon County,” specialty bar items, and chunky knit throws. The back of the space is home to a photography studio, specializing in family portraiture and
headshots.
Other Flemington shopping destinations include Attachments & Sage Boutique (newly housed together at 124 Main), 39 Mine Boutique, Addicted Chic, Saunders Jewelers, and Act 2 Books. The Stangl Factory Farmers Market is open year-round on Saturdays and hosts additional events throughout the holiday season including an Arts and Crafts Festival on Sunday, December 12th. The festive market is stocked with produce, local meats and poultry, cheese, smoked meats, prepared foods, homemade sweets, breads, and artisan goods. Market hours and special events: stanglfactory.com.
Festivities in Flemington include: Champagne Trolley Tours, Saturdays with Santa, a Holiday Shopping Passport enter-to-win program, and the return of the Hunterdon Holiday Parade on December 5th at 5pm. For event information and a complete listing of shops and restaurants, visit LoveFlemington.com.
Lambertville
Quaint and historic, Lambertville turns up the charm in the holiday season. Antique shops, art studios, custom jewelers, artisan galleries, boutiques, and gourmet foods can all be found in this charming small town.
A Mano Galleries, located in a historic Five & Dime building, specializes in contemporary American crafts including jewelry, pottery, and hand-crafted furniture. Surprising and creative gift options can be found throughout the large emporium including whimsical clocks, artisan barware, colorful knits, toys, and kaleidoscopes.
With 50 dealers and artists’ studios on three floors, The People’s Store Antiques and Design Center is the place to discover one-of-kind antiques and treasures. Union Jack carries uniquely British treats and gifts, and Panoply Books offers rare and out-of-print used books and vinyl records. At Sojourner “Bohemian chic” from around the world includes furnishings, textiles, beads, jewelry, and clothing. For a complete listing of shops and restaurants, visit lambertvillechamber.com.
Clinton
The iconic Red Mill and Victorian architecture are the backdrop for Clinton’s charming holiday traditions, restaurants and coffee shops, and holiday shopping.
Karen’s Dollhouse Shop is an enchanting addition to downtown Clinton. “We fell in love with this town, it is a perfect fit for us. Our clients come from all over and they love visiting Clinton,” explained Karen Aird, who runs the family business alongside her husband Andrew, and daughter Emma. “Our customers are collectors, adults, and children, and they all have a big smile on their face when they explore our shop – everything you can find in real life you can find in miniature,” she added. In the holiday season, Aird is especially busy restoring and refurbishing dollhouses. “These are family heirlooms, passed down from generations, and people tear up when they see their dollhouse restored for their children or grandchildren,” she explained. Stop in to see a Dickens-themed dollhouse, Christmas dollhouses, and miniature log cabins, lighthouses, and castles.
Other unique shops include: Bearpaw Leather, 39 Mine on Main, Dickens Jewelers, Made to Order, Beyond Bijoux, Christine’s Gift and Bath Boutique, and Chameleon Blue. HeartStrings, celebrating 45 years in Clinton, shines during the holiday season with artisan-made and collectible holiday decorations, handmade jewelry, clothing, and children’s toys.
The annual Clinton Christmas parade takes place on December 3rd, from 7-9pm. Candle Light Night, December 16th, illuminates Main Street with a magical glow and shops stay open late. Santa’s workshop, on the terrace of the Hunterdon Art Museum, will be open throughout the season. The Festival of Trees, featuring more than 50 decorated trees, is open weekends on the grounds of the Red Mill Museum. For event information and a complete listing of shops and restaurants, VisitClintonNJ.com.
Frenchtown
With the opening of the Art Yard last year, Frenchtown’s reputation as a center for art and culture continues to grow. It’s also the perfect place to find gifts for anyone on your list who will appreciate an out-of-the-ordinary gift. Art galleries, antiques shops and a handful of specialty shops line Bridge and Race Streets.
New owners Barbara deWilde and Scott Sheldon re-opened The Frenchtown Bookshop in August of 2021, after an extensive renovation of the splendid Victorian building. “We opened here because we love Frenchtown, everyone has been so welcoming. We host local authors and community events on topics like art, nature, and hiking,” explained coowner Barbara deWilde.
The shop carries a curated selection of books for all ages. “We have something for everyone – children’s picture books, young adult, fiction, poetry, nature, cookbooks, graphic novels, and books on making just about anything. And, we have gifts to inspire folks to enjoy time together – puzzles, games and classic holiday books to read aloud,”she added.
Frenchtown’s Junto Emporium is a “masculine boutique” with vintage apparel, footwear and collections that emphasize local, sustainably or small batch made goods. Other unique Frenchtown shops include: Lord Ivy, Sunbeam General Store, Gather Flower Shop, Modern Love, and Gourmand Epicerie.
On Saturdays in December festive happenings include Horse and Buggy rides, a visit from Santa, and the Frenchtown Bagpiper. For event information and a complete listing of shops and restaurants visit LoveFrenchtown.org.
Stockton Market
Stockton Market is an indoor community market brimming with produce, pasture-raised meats, fresh seafood, handmade chocolates, baked goods, small-batch ice cream, and flowers. Market vendors are complemented by artisan food offerings including: The Borscht Belt Delicatessen, D’Town Dumpling, and Market Pizza. Hours vary by vendor, visit stocktonmarket.com.
Small Town Gems
Bridge Street is the center of cozy Milford. Chocolate in the Oven features small batch bakery items made on premises, and Riverside Treasures is an “eclectic gift boutique.” Descendants Brewing Company at the Old Ship Inn offers a friendly European pub atmosphere with craft beer and homemade, Europe-inspired foods with locally sourced ingredients.
In High Bridge, the Salty Lemon Apothecary makes botanical soaps, soy candles, and skin care products, and Scouts Mercantile and Coffee Shop serves up warm lattes, sweets, and a collection of locally made artisan gifts. Visit Love High Bridge on Facebook for more information.
HunterdonMainStreets.com initiative is managed by the Hunterdon County Tourism Partnership and funded by the county’s Office of Economic Development. Individuals can stay up to date by following Hunterdon Main Streets on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, or by subscribing to the newsletter. The organization also promotes Hunterdon579trail.com, which highlights Hunterdon’s farms, farm markets and vineyards.
