Recently, our quaint area of Central New Jersey has been pretty lucky with snow. Well, actually, I guess it depends on your reference frame of luck (a little physics humor for you there). For those skiers and glacial enthusiasts, it’s been a pleasant anomaly. But for the rest of us who hate scraping mounds of snow off our cars in the morning (me)… It’s been a living nightmare. However, snow always enhances the aesthetic of winter and helps us really embrace the holiday season. Holidays… with their gifts and warm rapture, even in the coldest of winters, are able to make Hunterdon County cozy. But what about after the winter holidays? Do the warm gestures of gift-giving and “holiday spirit” end with the season? This writer says not.
While gifts and extravagant outings may be viewed by some people as materialistic America’s attempt to commercialize the holidays, they are, in fact, a great way to make people feel seen and appreciated if properly executed. Not to mention, the motivations behind gift giving or making time for those you love shouldn’t be treated like a casual New Year’s resolution that ends within the first two weeks of 2026; it should be a year-long… no life-long priority, because time is precious, as are your people.
In Hunterdon County, we have a plethora of small businesses and a community of supporters who do just that: make your loved ones feel seen and continue to support the growth of others’ ideas. That’s why the community column encourages you to shop local. Small businesses benefit year-round, not just in December, and there are many gift-giving moments or places to experience beyond the winter holidays… so why not make one choice that does both?
Why Shop Local?
You may be wondering… why not just hop on Amazon to purchase a gift for grandma? They have anything you could ever ask for, remotely. Why not visit a mall and purchase some trendy clothing from a chain store?
Quick and easy gift ideas like these may be convenient, but they are just funding larger corporations that will eventually dominate the economy and take over the world. Just kidding. But still, the money that goes to these chains is lost from our community, and in turn, small businesses suffer. Shopping local recirculates money within our area and gives opportunities for local residents and entrepreneurs to explore, create, or enhance their ideas. Not to mention, shopping local means your gifts are not only thoughtful but also unique.
The places listed below are great for not only winter holidays, but upcoming holidays like Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, or even non-holiday events like birthdays, anniversaries, or graduations, where you may purchase a gift, or take someone out for a special meal.
Bishops Supermarket is a family-owned supermarket in Whitehouse Station at 431 US Highway 22 East and has operated since the 1950s. It offers fresh groceries, prepared foods, everyday essentials, and gift items/unique sells that you can’t find anywhere else. Customers describe it as “friendly” with a “country feel,” emphasizing its personalized service.
Bishops is mainly praised for its butcher/meat counter, where you can preorder or cater a variety of dishes– perfect for hosting large holiday events. Bishops also sells fresh flowers and has a wide selection of desserts from Maddalena’s Cheesecake Company– another family-owned small business, based in Ringoes, New Jersey.
The store is open Monday-Saturday 7am-8pm, and on Sundays 7am-6pm, so consider making a stop to perhaps order a catered meal or purchase some chocolates, desserts, or flowers for your loved ones.
D’Serve, located on 32 Main Street in Flemington, is an independent small business initiated by local restaurateurs, including Andrew and Shannon Mercado, with an unconventional twist. By morning, D’Serve opens as an artisan doughnut and pastry shop, selling uniquely flavored gourmet donuts. By night, the shop transforms into an intimate fine dining experience, offering a tasting menu inspired by locally sourced and creatively prepared ingredients. The dinner service is quite small, so be sure to call ahead by a couple of weeks, or even months, to secure your spot. This place is in high demand.
Go check them out right in the heart of downtown Flemington. Pick up some donuts as a surprise treat, or consider making an intimate dinner reservation (wink, wink).
The Flemington Department Store is a family-operated and family-owned furniture/clothing business located at 151 NJ-31, which was founded by the Resnick family over 60 years ago in the 1950s. The department store sells living room, bedroom, dining, and home office furniture as well as mattresses, flooring/flooring services, and clothing/workwear.
The Resnick family is known locally for their commitment to community and service, often participating in charitable efforts and local events. This family is a prime example of a small business that has achieved success in Hunterdon County. If any of your relatives have been hinting at a new mattress or could just use better sleep, consider checking this place out!
Flemington Floral Company and Greenhouses, Inc
Flemington Floral Company & Greenhouses, Inc. is a full-service florist and gift shop that has been in the surrounding Hunterdon County area for over 100 years, making it one of the longest-running family-owned small businesses in town.
The floral shop offers fresh flower arrangements and bouquets for any occasion you may need (birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, etc.). They even cater weddings, including bouquets, centerpieces, and custom design services.
As far as gifts go, the establishment is full of charming stuffed toys, balloons, greeting cards, and fruit & gourmet baskets suitable for any occasion.
An added bonus is their personal delivery service within Flemington and many nearby towns; this keeps the shopping experience personal and community-oriented.
Smell the sweet aroma of community roots on 22 North Main Street in Flemington!
The Flemington Fudge Shoppe is known for its handcrafted confections and family-owned candy/old-fashioned fudge. Originally founded in 1961 by Allen and Anna Burry, the business has been open for over 50 years, involving multiple generations of the Burry family.
At the Fudge Shoppe, they sell an assortment of artisan chocolate and candy, with seasonal specialties and classic recipes. These handmade desserts are ideal for gifts, special occasions, or holiday baskets. Some favorites include chocolate–covered fruits and salted caramels. This establishment is located at 461 US-202 South, Flemington. Whether you’re feeling sweet or salty, the Fudge Shoppe has got you covered.
Good Days Cafe is an independent eatery on Main Street in historic Whitehouse Station, where town locals can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and coffee in an aesthetic and soothing environment. The menu at Good Days includes breakfast items from avocado toasts and waffles to wraps and paninis for lunch, salads, smoothies, and homemade coffee.
Their popular items include breakfast sandwiches, mushroom paninis, shrimp wraps, and freshly-pressed juices. Every day at Good Days is a pastry day; I consistently hear praises long and far that their chocolate croissants are quite rich in flavor.
Good Days is on 136 Main Street, and is typically open Tuesday through Sunday with varying hours for breakfast and lunch. Consider taking your loved one there for a date, or picking them up some breakfast!
Jerry’s Brooklyn Grill in Whitehouse is recognized for its Brooklyn–style cooking in the domains of breakfast, lunch, and catering that reflect the owner’s bountiful culinary background. At Jerry’s, they have a team with over 40 years of experience behind the grill, all of whom focus on fresh, homemade dishes.
Breakfast favorites at Jerry’s are constantly the omelets, pancakes, breakfast platters, and build–your–own breakfast burritos. For lunch, burgers and wraps like tuna melts and hot dogs with a side of sweet potato fries are the move. Jerry’s also offers family dinner menu items and catering services for parties or get-togethers.
Jerry’s Brooklyn Grill is located on 261 Main Street, Whitehouse Station. They are usually open early mornings through early afternoons. This eatery is definitely the perfect spot for a brunch occasion or a personal and neighborly meal with a friend.
Joe’s Pizza, owned by the LoPiccolo family, is known far across the land for its thin-crust and Sicilian styles of pizza, hot subs, cheesestakes, calzones, pasta, and other Italian favorites. At Joe’s, they offer takeout, delivery, and dine–in services, with vegan and vegetarian options.
Joe’s is a standout not simply because of their exquisite pizza, but also their comforting and friendly family service. They are a place you can always come back to, and a place that focuses on the smallest of details– I’ve never been in, and they don’t know a customer’s name. At Joe’s, you’re not just getting pizza, you’re joining a family that you can keep coming back to.
Joe’s is located on 18 Commerce Street, Flemington, and is open from roughly 11am-8:00pm most days. Stop by to join the family, or bring someone special.
So… What?
If you take anything away from this article, it’s that shopping and dining should be intentional, no matter who it’s for or with. If we want to stay away from becoming a commercialized and plastically charming dense New Jersey town on the 2050 tourist map, we have to make that a priority. That starts by getting to know your neighbors and supporting them, and why not gift something thoughtful in the process? Shop and dine local, Central.
