Here in the Pine Barrens, shopping is a different experience than
in large cities and other urban areas. Towns and villages provide
many unique shops owned by local residents, and they offer a variety
of special items unique to this area. Antique stores abound, as do
craft shops and of course, sporting and outdoor related shops. It's
reported that over one-hundred antique shops alone can be found on
or near Route 9 (which runs North-South along the coastal area) from
Barnegat to Tuckerton! Some towns have no grocery stores nearby; travelling
10 or more miles for milk is not uncommon in some areas of the Pine
Barrens! The
Pine Barrens has some wonderful towns with small shops and antique
centers crammed with treasures. Seafood, blueberry and cranberry
festivals, jamborees and more are run each year in many of these towns,
celebrating the rich heritage of the Pinelands and coastal areas.
CHATSWORTH (Woodland Township)
(central)
Often
called "the capital of the Pine Barrens", Chatsworth
is a village nestled amongst pines, cranberries and blueberries.
One of its most well known structures is the old Buzby
House, located at the intersection of Routes 532 and 563.
This house was renovated around 2000, and was home to "The
Cheshire Cat", a gift shop crammed with things of
the Pine Barrens, such as books (many written by owner Marilyn
Schmidt), crafts, maps, home accessories, and more. Marilyn
is in poor health and has had to place the building, complete
with the 3-bedroom residence above the shop, on the market.
Diagonally
across from Buzby's is "Hot
Diggity Dog," a roadside outdoor restaurant that
is a favorite of locals and tourists alike!
Each
October, Chatsworth is home to the Chatsworth
Cranberry Festival, which draws visitors from all
over the region.
Chatsworth
is home to the Ocean Spray cranberry receiving station. Tons and
tons of cranberries are brought here each autumn by cranberry
farmers throughout the Pine Barrens.
Some
of the largest cranberry farms can be seen from Route 563 south
of the village in Chatsworth. This photo was taken from the roadside.
Route
532 west leads past Chatsworth lake, once the location of a mansion
built by Italian Prince Mario Ruspoli, an attache at the Italian
Embassy in Washington, a summer destination of the rich and famous
of the era. Built in the late 1800's, It burned to the ground
many years ago. It is also the site of the former Chatsworth House,
a luxurious playground for the rich and famous in the early 20th
century, including the Astors, Vanderbilts and others.
Barnegat
Township, located on the western shore of the Barnegat Bay,
and extending Westward for several miles into the Pine Barrens,
is an eclectic combination of old and new. Just East of
Garden State Parkway exit 67 on West Bay Avenue are mini-malls
with grocery stores, gift shops, hair salons, delis, pizzerias
and other convenience shops. Many modern housing developments
are scattered throughout the area. A hidden treasure is
about a mile East at the Route 9 intersection. Here, a
number of shops offer hours of browsing pleasure, especially
for those who love antiques.
Gallery-type
shops such as The Gold Duster are
located here as well, giving tourists a great opportunity to
purchase that perfect oil,watercolor or other momento of their
stay in Ocean County! Severalrestaurants
are also nearby, offering a perfect respite from a day of shopping,
antiquing and sightseeing!
With
its proximity to the Barnegat Bay, Barnegat Township has many
old "sea captain's" homes, some of which are rumored to be haunted..
Probably the best-known is the Cox House, located on the Northwest
corner of Route 9 and West Bay Avenue. It is now the home
of the Barnegat Cultural Center. Many of these homes have "Widow's
Walks", where wives of ship captains anxiously searched
to see the ship's safe arrival.
Further
East on Bay Avenue are many more examples of this classic architecture.
Many historical buildings still stand, such as the Quaker Meeting
House and the old Barber Shop.
As
one nears the Barnegat Bay, the architecture and mood changes
to a nautical one. Vessels of all types are docked in lagoons
or marinas; most of the bayfront
homes and
condos are built on pilings for protection
from rare but damaging storm tides. Sandy struck in 2012, causing
extensive damage to the bayfront area. Much has been rebuilt,
but occasional evidence can still be seen. The new public
dock and boardwalk offer a beautiful vista of Long Beach Island
and "Ol' Barney" (Barnegat Lighthouse) just across the
Barnegat Bay.
This
area of Barnegat
is well-known for its many Summer festivities, such as flea
markets, concerts, fireworks on the Fourth, Pirate's Day, and
much more. The Barnegat Public Dock is the scene of many
of these activities.
Town
of HAMMONTON
(south)
Many
towns across the country tout the "Blueberry Capital of
the World" title, but once you've driven by the thousands
of acres of blueberry fields, tasted some of the local blueberry
pies, muffins, pancake and other gastronimical treats, you'll
know that Hammonton NJ is THE capital when it comes to blueberries!
This region is also home to several excellent wineries.
When the hunger pangs set in,
try one of Hammonton's several Italian restaurants or pizzerias.
According to statistics, 45.9% of this town's residents are
of Italian ancestry, the second-highest percentage of any municipality
in the United States (behind Johnston, Rhode Island), so the
food is bound to be delicious!
For a sampling of this terrific
cuisine and a celebration of Italian heritage, visit The
Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, one of the oldest Italian
Festivals in the United States, in Hammonton in July each year!
This celebration in honor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel began in
the year of 1875 in the home of Antonio Capelli. He, along with
a small group of fellow immigrants, prayed in front of a painting
of the Virgin Mary and formed a procession in front of the home.
They prayed in thanks for their safe journey to America, their
successful farming season, and for the blessings and good fortune
found in their new home in Hammonton, NJ
TABERNACLE
AND SHAMONG
(west)
The
Home of Great Food, Great Service and Great Smiles!
Open 7 Days a week - 6:00AM -8:30PM
7 Willow Grove Rd. (on Route 206)
Shamong, NJ
268-1182 Visit website
to see the huge menu.
Try our delicious frozen custard - 26 flavors!
Russo's
Fruit & Vegetable Farm Family
owned and operated farm since 1940
Full line of our own grown "Jersey Fresh" products
*Bedding plants and pointsettias grown in our greenhouse
*Bakery-fresh baked pies, rolls, apple cider donuts and
muffins
*Toy tractors, Valenzano wines, Handcrafted furniture
*Fresh flowers and arrangements
Open daily from Easter to Christmas Eve Medford Lakes & Carranza Roads, Tabernacle NJ
Phone: 609-268-0239
Valenzano
Winery, located in the heart of the New Jersey
Pine Barrens, is dedicated to producing the highest
qualilty wines from the vineyards of southern
New Jersey; specializing in fine red and white
wines from grape varieties that are unique to
the Northeastern United States. Red
& white cranberry wines available.
Shamong,
NJ 08088
609-268-6731
Visit
Website
King
of the Wings!
Winner of PineyPower's "Best Wings in the
Pine Barrens!" Award.
The Pine Barrens
is becoming a popular tourist destination. It offers history, nature, boating,
camping, fishing, swimming, and most of all, peace and tranquility. It's
important to families who live here, whether for a few years or many generations,
that our peace and tranquility be preserved.A local lawyer or doctor won't
look any different than his neighbor who works the land. Thousand dollar
suits aren't what impress people of the Pines - taking care of nature and
fellow man is what matters. To that end, it is important for you to know
that as a visitor to our precious Pine Barrens, you should show respect
for the flora and fauna, for the historical buildings or their remains,
and show respect for the "locals". Walk and drive gently. Treat
our Pine Barrens as you would want a visitor to treat your own home town
- and your own family. Thank you.
Please
note: Unless
otherwise noted, all articles and photographs on this site are the property
of PineyPower, and as such, may not be reproduced without written permission.
Thank you.