By Judith Kristen, AAP Columnist
There are so many wonderful places to shop this holiday season, but when we think of that shopping we either think BIG like a mall, or FAST like online services.
It’s time to think local.
In these go,go,go, times of technology and need for the quick and hurry up to the mall, we drive right by hundreds of local “Mom and Pop” stores right here in our own neighborhood.
Let’s make another gift this year to those people who are giving it all they’ve got, and doing that right here in our own backyard.
All of these stores and shops listed below will happily help you with all of your needs within their business, and many offer gift certificates or gift cards: the last of the perfect gifts and great stocking stuffers! Think of how lovely a gift card to a local eatery would be to a mom and dad, kids, grandparents, friends, coworkers, etc. The folks on your shopping list can take a lovely break from a routine day, all because of you!
Stop by at our Famous Penn Queen Diner on 130 and Westfield, Adobos Mexican Grill, and Pronto Pizza, both on Park Ave. within a few feet of McFarland’s Market, which has both gift items and gift certificates! Then there’s Café Bella Vita, the Merchantville Diner, and The Blue Monkey, all right there on Centre Street. How about Peking Gourmet Chinese Restaurant on 130, the shops at Meadowbrook, or Cigar Alley on Centre St.? Even the Dunkin’ Donuts on Cove and Rt. 130 has gift certificates!
There’s also Bobby Ray’s on Westfield and the 45th Street Pub; and both Montegrillo’s Pizza and Fabrizio’s Pizza are also big neighborhood favorites!
How about a gift of dance lessons at Ronnie McLaughlin’s on Church Rd.? Personalized cards and calendars at Sir Speedy or banners, vehicle wraps, posters, and decals at Mesa Signs on Cove Rd.?
You can also stop by Walgreen’s on Westfield, CVS on Maple Ave., and Rite Aid up on Centre. All of these local stores have gift certificates for everywhere imaginable: Starbucks, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, etc. The overall prices are good and there are always great stocking stuffers to be had. And they sell holiday cards and gift wrap as well!
Pennsauken and Merchantville are filled with numerous hair salons like Mi’Chic and the Clip Joint, barber shops like Tony’s Golden Scissors, and martial arts studios like Shaw’s Karate Institute and MacKenzie and Yates. There are nail salons like Millennium Nails on Centre; Irina’s Closet for new and period clothing; and the Vintage Clothing Shop and Speak Easy Coffee Bar. We have sports shops, local markets, and best of all, Aunt Charlotte’s Candies!
Then there are car repair shops like Thomas’Automotive and Mulhern’s. There are lots of men who’d be happier for a stocking stuffer gift of a free car tune-up and oil change than another pair of PJ’s or their 100th tie.
We also have the Food Bank of South Jersey, where you can “gift” someone with a donation in their honor to help feed those who are not as fortunate this Christmas.
Truly, it would fill an entire issue of All Around Pennsauken to name everyone who runs a business here in our area, so please forgive those I have missed, but you can go online and review the Business, Industry and Government Council’s business directory at http://www.twp.pennsauken.nj.us/pdfs/Big-Council/BusDirectory6-12pw.pdf, where you can find many of the wonderful stores and restaurants we have right here within walking and driving distance in our lovely little community.
The B.I.G. Council (The Business Industry and Government Council) works diligently to help create opportunities for local businesses throughout Pennsauken and Merchantville. All year long, B.I.G. Council initiatives are designed to not only help small and mid-sized businesses grow, but also make our community a great place to live and work! For more information, please e-mail BIGPennsauken@gmail.com.
Friends and neighbors, have a gloriously happy holiday season, and when you see me shopping around town, stop and say hello. Maybe we can have a cup of coffee together; locally of course!
