Holiday Gift Guide

PRADA Sugarplums

IN MERCHANTVILLE

BY NJ ACKERMANN

From sweet tastes to sweet finds, my shopping trip to this town was a discovery of diversity.

I found everything about Aunt Charlotte’s Candies to be sweet. Located on Maple avenue, it’s a wonderland of sparkles and glow. Fishbowls of hard candies line up on the left, ready for scooping. Chocolates are on the right, piled up behind display glass and tumbling out of baskets. Jars of brittle and bark are there too, along with thick-spun candy canes and chocolate Santas for the stockings. A Star of David-shaped box molded of chocolate is filled with nonpareils to make a very special Chanukah gift.

In between all of these mirthful mouthfuls, “Let it Snow!” and “Welcome!” greet from wooden decorations, silver buckets and plates. Angels twinkle, snow swirls in globes and glitter dances under glass. Fuzzy animals and elves with dangly feet sit upon the shelves. Run by sisters, Aunt Charlotte’s has been a family business for 102 years. Randy Susan Oakford runs the day-to-day retail, while Penny Oakford Trost oversees production in the second-story candy factory, where fourth generation Ryan Trost, Candy Maker, continues to put “Delight in Every Bite.”

As I enjoyed my candy, I found my way to Centre Street. Walking through the door into Irina’s Closet, my inner diva squealed, “Ooooo, Armani, Gucci, Fendi, Prada…”

Having owned this business for thirty-six years, Irina Gritsenko is well known by her patrons for being a reliable source of designer-label fashions. A Ferragamo bag with its $395 price tag still

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attached sells for $125 here, where “Everything is a label.” Gritsenko does all the hard work for you by carefully choosing what designer goods are included at her store. “I love wearing a $1,600 watch I bought for $400,” Gritsenko says. “I am a strong believer of this business, it’s a smart way to shop.” With “merry” meaning different things to different people, some might not think of cigars for the holidays. Others might delight in humidors, fancy lighters and perfectly wrapped tobacco.

“It was called the News Nook,” explains Sam Al Jobeh, owner of Cigar Alley. “I fixed up the alley, and [the name] took over.” For a fun and novel gift, he offers an advent calendar that provides a stogie-a-day behind each window. Or, give a gift card and include a ticket from Cigar Alley’s lucky old lottery machine.

“This was one of the original machines installed in New Jersey,” says co-owner, Rachelle Al Jobeh, who recalls many bigwinning tickets, including one worth over a million dollars from the recent Powerball jackpot. A relaxing smoke in the quiet lounge while daydreaming of winning the lottery could be a very merry gift indeed.

In the Hunter Gallery, my eyes were met with an astounding array of shape and color. Drawings, giclee prints, watercolors and embroidered paintings filled the walls. The owner is Dr. Sharon Hunter Nikolaus, a disabled veteran who obtains the artwork predominantly from local artists and works hard to be inclusive.

“I really don’t turn people away,” she says,

GIFTS continued from page 6 “because everybody likes something different. If you look, there’s nothing in here that’s the same.” She also carries jewelry, crystal and something for every price point. “I want it to be a place that’s comfortable for anybody to come in, whether they have deep pockets or not.” With her giveaways and fundraising for education, Nikolaus is making her dreams, and the dreams of others, a reality. Supporting the growing trend towards mental health and meditation, Aradia’s Treasure carries tools for the soul and offers classes on how to use them.

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predominantly from local artists and please see GIFTS, page 9

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GIFTS continued from page 8 “We have merchandise for many different spiritual paths,” says Debra Branda-Canady, owner and teacher. With two gifts for the holidays, her statue In the Hands of the Divine, can be customized according to what the recipient seeks, such as answers or peace of mind. Her Twelve Days of Christmas calendar has a different crystal behind each door with corresponding maps. A gift from Aradia’s could be the start of something good.

A Milli Little Things is Lush + Bath & Body Works + a twist. In addition to soap jellies, bath dust and body butters with luscious ingredients and the cutest names, owner Saleemah Smith stocks unique personal care products, many of which have become so popular that they are now sold wholesale. Let it Go Sis encourages you to cut cords with past loves, while Super Woman is a medicinal steam. With waist beads, candles and herbal teas, her inventory is wide-

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ranging. Perhaps choose something in one of her holiday dessert flavors like sugar cookie or gingerbread, and wrap it up in a little box with twine.

On this shopping trip, I found all things merry and bright—for all types— in Merchantville. 

PHOTOS BY LOUIS WASHINGTON 1: Irina’s Closet Bag. 2-4: Hunter’s Gallery. 5-6: Aunt Charlotte’s.

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