Marissa Scognamiglio For generations of Jersey Shore families, a trip to Lavallette isn’t complete without a stop at the original Ben Franklin store. Whether it’s the first place kids run to after arriving for vacation, the go-to spot for a forgotten beach essential, or simply a tradition passed down through generations, the original five-and-dime has become a staple of the shore experience. Located at 1205 Grand Central Avenue, Ben Franklin has been family-owned and operated since 1948. In a world of next-day shipping and endless online shopping, the store continues to welcome locals, vacationers, and generations of loyal customers through its doors year after year, proving that some traditions never go out of style. Read on for more about this Lavallette gem.
About Ben Franklin in Lavallette
The story of Ben Franklin began nearly 80 years ago when the family first opened a small storefront in Lavallette. Over time, the business expanded, eventually growing to occupy the entire building visitors know today.
For owners Jamie Lee and Jason Buckle, a husband-and-wife team, carrying on that legacy means honoring the generations who came before them. “It means a lot to us because the reason why we’re here is that family sacrifices gave us this today,” Jason told The Jersey Shore Girl.
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Jason has spent most of his life at Ben Franklin, first as the son of an owner and now as one himself. “I grew up here. That was my school down the block. I’d come here after school, see my dad, help, learn stuff, unload trucks. I always did stuff, and it inspired me to stay here and keep going,” he shared.
Today, Jamie and Jason are already looking ahead to the next generation. The couple’s three children regularly attend trade shows with them and are actively involved in the family business.
“We definitely hope that our children will take on the next generation of the store,” Jamie said. “We’re very proud of them. They’re very involved. They’ve always been. They go to shows with us, and they really enjoy it.”
What You’ll Find Inside Ben Franklin
Part of the fun of Ben Franklin is never knowing exactly what you’ll walk out with. The store is packed with nautical home décor, gifts, toys, beach supplies, housewares, hardware, souvenir apparel, seasonal merchandise, and even goodies for your four-legged family members. Yes, the shop is dog-friendly inside too. If you’ve forgotten it at home, there’s a good chance you’ll find it here.
“We’re kind of a one-stop shop,” Jamie explained. Or, as Jason puts it, “You forgot it, we got it.”
The team spends much of the off-season searching for new products and keeping up with the latest trends so visitors can always discover something new during their summer visits.
“We spend most of our winter looking and hunting and trying to find them the best products every single year and trying to keep on all the trends,” Jamie shared.
A Jersey Shore Tradition Across Generations
While the merchandise may change from year to year, one thing that hasn’t changed is the connection customers feel to the store.
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“We look forward to seeing all of our customers, especially all the loyal ones that have been coming back for years and years,” Jamie said. “It makes us so happy when they come back in, and they update us on their family and what was going on for the winter.”
For Jason, some of the most memorable moments happen right outside the front doors.
“They’ll tell me they’ve been coming and taking pictures with their grandparents. And it’s like a four-generation thing out front,” he said. “Everyone loves that I’ve kept it with the old classic look. We try to keep it just how it looked since forever now.”
Perhaps nothing captures the store’s impact quite like watching families arrive for vacation. “I like the excitement of the children,” Jason shared. “On the whole ride down here, wherever they came from, they have to go to Ben Franklin first. You’ll see the kid run in, a couple seconds later the parents go by. They say, ‘He told us to come here first. He loves Ben Franklin.’ So that keeps us going.”
Looking Toward the Future
Like many independent retailers, Ben Franklin has faced challenges as online shopping has become increasingly popular.
“Everyone knows we have everything. The online is sitting in your lap, in your pocket at all times, and it’s scary how strong it became to push a lot of retail businesses to absolutely close,” Jason said.
Still, the family remains committed to preserving the business and the traditions that have made it a Jersey Shore institution for nearly eight decades.
“We’re lucky to be here. We give up whatever we got just to keep going,” Jason said. As Ben Franklin approaches its 80th anniversary, Jamie and Jason are hopeful the store’s story is far from over.
“Having the amount of years put in here already at 78 years strong, keep it going we could be 100 years one day. Who knows? We could be one of the longest family-owned businesses ever,” they said. Given the generations of memories made within its walls, we’d say Ben Franklin is well on its way.
Visit Ben Franklin in Lavallette
Ben Franklin is located at 1205 Grand Central Avenue in Lavallette and is open year-round. Summer hours are typically 9AM to 6PM, with extended hours during the busy season.
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