“It’s Christmas all year…”
If you like your antiquing in one cozy corner, try the Lafayette Mill Antiques Center (millantiques.com), located at the sleepy intersection of Route 15 and Morris Farm Road (Route 659) in Sussex County. The Mill has 23,000 square feet of shops offering all manner of old stuff, collectibles, and crafts. Clustered around the Mill are equally worthy shops and galleries.
The Mill is not the place for high-end rarities. Yes, you can find oak dressers and china galore, but the Mill is best for accessories and specialty items, such as the graceful model sailing vessels in the Boathouse, the first shop you enter at the north end of the Mill. Step into the next section and you will find Susan Torrance’s wonderful collection of nostalgic tins, crates, and utensils, perfect for the country kitchen.
Head upstairs and prepare to be enchanted by Sign of the Tymes, Joe and Sharon Happle’s amazing collection of toys and holiday items. “It’s Christmas and Halloween all year round,” says Joe Happle as he shows off the shop’s Belsnickle Santas and other seasonal collectibles. The fascinating items here range from tiny German lead snow figures (up to $35 each) to a huge flying carousel pig, made in France in the 1890s ($17,000).
The Happles also specialize in Steiff, with at least 500 old and new stuffed items available. There’s more great stuff in the Mill, like Tom Mitchell’s fun display of sports antiques, including a Joe Medwick model baseball glove from the 1930s ($140) and a set of Bobby Jones golf clubs ($395).
Leaving the Mill, walk across Route 15 for additional shops like the Black Pony, which always has fascinating conversation pieces, such as its extensive selection of antique cameras. Back on the Mill side, do not miss Cona’s, with its collection of salt-and-pepper shakers at the top of the stairs.
Practically everyone who goes to the Mill lunches on the soups, sandwiches, and pies at the rustic Millside Café. Next door to the café is the Chocolate Goat Gift Shoppe, where sisters Jennifer and Stephanie Koza offer cases of buttery chocolates as well as contemporary crafts, seasonal items, and a roomful of Vera Bradley bags.
Most people approach Lafayette from Route 80. Use exit 34 for Route 15 North. Pick the right weekend and Route 15 provides perfect leaf peeping as you cruise through the wooded hills toward Lafayette. The Mill is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, except Tuesday and Wednesday.
More Antiquing:
Antique Emporium of Asbury Park
Discover what’s new in the ongoing revitalization of Asbury Park at the same time you check out what’s old at this multi-dealer marketplace. 646 Cookman Ave, Asbury Park (732-774-8230; antiqueemporiumofasburypark.com).
Golden Nugget Antique Market
The Nugget makes a fine start for a day of browsing in the state’s antiquing capital. The market is open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Visit on October 5 and take advantage of the Historical Society’s walking tour of the town. Route 29, Lambertville (609-397-0811; gnmarket.com).
Somerville Center Antiques
A complex of five shops, comprising 220 dealers. Each shop has a theme, from “fun” to “romantic” (908-595-1887; somervilleantiques.net). Also visit the Tomato Factory Antique Center in Hopewell (609-466-9833; thetomatofactory.com).
The Yellow Garage Antiques Marketplace
Located in the historic town of Mullica Hill, this 6,500-square-foot space features 35 different dealers. 66 South Main St, Mullica Hill (856-478-0300; yellowgarageantiques.com). Sites for antiquing abound on Main Street, including the equally ambitious Old Mill Antiques Mall. 1 South Main St, Mullica Hill (856-478-9810; oldmillantiques.zoomshare.com).
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