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.
Here are just a few towns:
CHATSWORTH
(Woodland Township)
(central)
Often
called "the heart 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 recently renovated and now houses "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 a wonderful
lady who knows the Pine Barrens well and is happy to answer
questions about them.
Buzby's
Cafe
"There's never a stranger
at Buzby's Cafe!"
Enjoy a delicious
homemade breakfast or lunch inside the historic "Buzby's
Chatsworth General Store" building, in the Capital of
the Pines!
Try our Cranberry Walnut Pancakes
or the "Jersey Devil Monte Cristo"! READ
MORE
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 Chatsworth. This photo was taken from the road.
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.
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. The real treasure,
however, 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.
"The Gold Duster"
Gift
stores such as The
Gold Duster are located here as well, giving tourists a
great opportunity to purchase that perfect momento of their
stay in Ocean County! Several restaurants
are also nearby, offering a perfect respite from a day of shopping,
antiquing and sightseeing! VIEW
INTERIOR
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 style and mood changes to a nautical
one. Vessels of all types are docked in lagoons or marinas;
most of the bayfront
omes and
condos are built on pilings for protection
from rare but damaging storm tides. The public dock and
boardwalk offer a beautiful vista of Long Beach Island 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.
Be sure to visit Barnegat
Township's webiste for local news of Barnegat Township!
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!
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
Each
summer Hammonton holds its "Red, White and Blueberry Festival"
on the last Sunday of June. This famous event celebrating the
harvest of the blueberry is of the area’s most popular family
fun days: a 500-vehicle antique car show, arts & crafts, delicious
food, kiddy rides, strolling entertainers, live music and of course,
blueberries in every form imaginable!
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. Keep in mind that the
local lawyer or doctor won't look any different than his neighbor
who farms 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.
Route
563 and 532
