Jessica Norton Not every Jersey Shore business has ocean views, viral TikToks, or a line out the door every single day. Some of the places that matter most are the small businesses that are not necessarily a great photo-op but are likely on your weekly to-do list, like hardware stores with light bulbs and paint, pharmacies with reliable prescription pickups and over-the-counter remedies, bike shops that keep beach cruisers on the road, and the dry cleaners, cobblers, and repair shops that have us ready for any occasion. They may not be trendy or particularly photogenic inside or out, but they’re the businesses locals count on time and time again. Read on to learn more about the practical, dependable, but unaesthetic spots at the Jersey Shore.
A1 New Life Shoe Repair | 518 Lincoln Avenue, Avon-By-The-Sea
A1 New Life Shoe Repair in Avon-by-the-Sea is a great local spot for giving shoes, bags, and leather goods a little more life. The shop specializes in shoe repair, maintenance, and shining, along with repairs for leather goods, including vintage bags, all at reasonable prices and with good turnaround times. A worn pair of shoes can get a refresh instead of ending up in the trash, and those favorite bags that have seen better days can often be brought back to life. JSG writer Jess was so happy with how some of her longtime favorite, and well-loved, shoes turned out after bringing in a few pairs for a new buckle, leather strap replacement, and a little TLC. In a world where it’s so easy to replace things with something new, we love having a local spot that helps keep those favorite pieces around a little longer.
Anchor & Arrows Outfitter | 101 NJ-35 Suite 200, Point Pleasant Beach
There’s a pretty good chance that at some point a boat, a fishing trip, or a beach day will require some extra gear. Anchor & Arrows Outfitter has aisles of fishing tackle, boating accessories, boat care supplies, outdoor clothing, and gifts. Their selection is huge, with everything from marine maintenance essentials and fishing equipment to Yeti mugs, sandals, shirts, and clearance apparel. It’s one of those local spots that’s worth knowing about when a very specific Jersey Shore-related item is suddenly needed.
Atlantic Lock and Safe | 100 Main Street, Bradley Beach
Atlantic Lock and Safe in Bradley Beach is a local resource for all things locks, keys, and security, offering residential, commercial, and automotive locksmith services. They can help with everything from making spare keys and replacing lost car keys to rekeying a new home, repairing a stubborn lock, or servicing a safe. The shop also carries locks, safes, keys, and other security hardware, making it a useful stop for those random home and auto needs that come up when you least expect them. They even have fun, decorative keys if you’re looking to add a little whimsy to your keychain or a practical gift for a loved one.
B.C. Woof Natural Pet Pantry | 104 Main Street, Manasquan
B.C. Woof in Manasquan is a great local spot for pet owners to stock up on food, treats, or a new toy. They focus on natural foods, treats, and supplements, along with toys, training supplies, beds, and accessories (like collars and bandanas.) They also carry a ton of brands that aren’t always found at the typical big-name pet stores, which makes it a nice option for finding a little more variety, especially if its a special recommendation from a veterinarian and a little harder to find.
Ben Franklin | 1205 Grand Central Avenue, Lavallette
Ben Franklin in Lavallette has been a family-owned and operated local staple since 1948. Inside, the store has a little bit of everything, from household and craft supplies to seasonal items and gifts. Since it’s located just a block from the beach, it’s a prime spot for those last-minute summer essentials, like beach chairs, towels, and sunscreen.
Bradley Bleach Laundromat | Bradley Beach
Not everyone has an in-unit or in-home washer and dryer, and Bradley Bleach Laundromat in Bradley Beach is a great local spot to hit up when laundry day inevitably rolls around, or if your laundry machine unexpectedly breaks. This family-owned and operated laundromat is clean, bright, and spacious with more than 80 high-performance washers and dryers, including oversized machines for comforters, quilts, blankets, and other bulky loads. There’s free Wi-Fi, free dryers, free parking, plenty of seating inside and out, a picnic area, and even a coffee station, so bringing a laptop and getting some work done while the laundry runs is totally doable. Wash-and-fold service is also available for anyone who would rather leave the laundry to someone else.
Butlers Pharmacy | 2301 Bridge Avenue, Point Pleasant
Butler’s Pharmacy in Point Pleasant is one of those old-school local spots that has a little bit of everything for everyday needs. Along with prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, the pharmacy carries candy, Hallmark gifts, makeup and beauty products, first aid essentials, and even canes and walkers for those who need a little extra support getting around. We know what it’s like to be on-the-go needing to pick up a last-minute birthday card or a box of Band-Aids, and Butlers is a great spot to do that without having to run to a big chain store. It’s definitely not a glamorous spot, but a reliable local staple that has just about anything needed for those random errands.
Monmouth Health Foods | 181 Main Street, Manasquan
Monmouth Health Foods in Manasquan is a great local alternative to ordering vitamins, supplements, and hard-to-find groceries online or making a trip to a big-box store. The shop specializes in vitamins, herbs, and supplements, along with natural, organic, and allergy-friendly foods. It’s the kind of place to stop in for a specific supplement, stock up on pantry staples, or find products that aren’t always easy to come across at a typical grocery store. It’s a small, local shop with a surprisingly big selection of everyday health and wellness essentials.
Ocean Grove Hardware | 51 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove
For more than 103 years, Ocean Grove Hardware has been a Main Avenue staple, helping locals and visitors tackle everything from home repairs to garden projects. Located just a few blocks from the beach, the shop is known for having all the essentials, including light bulbs, rodent traps, power tools, and beach supplies, making it an easy and reliable stop for errands and repairs that may pop up unexpectedly. They also offer key cutting services.
Point Pleasant Dry Cleaning | 3207 NJ-88, Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant Dry Cleaners is a go-to spot for everything from everyday laundry to specialty garment care. The business, which is recently under new management, offers dry cleaning, wash-and-fold laundry service, alterations, tailoring, and express service for those last-minute needs. JSG writer Jess recently had a few coats dry cleaned and wedding guest dress hemmed and appreciated their fair pricing and quick turnaround times and can confirm everything came out looking fab. Point Pleasant Dry Cleaning is a reliable local option whether you’re preparing for a special event or just trying to stay on top of your wardrobe.
Reynolds Garden Shop | 201 E Bay Avenue, Manahawkin
Reynolds Garden Shop in Manahawkin is one of those places where you can pretty much find whatever is needed for the yard, garden, or home. They have a great selection of plants, flowers, gardening supplies, seasonal decor, and outdoor furniture. It’s honestly kind of hard to call this spot “unaesthetic” because the flowers and decor are actually super pretty and picturesque. And it’s very easy to walk in for a bag of soil or mulch and walk out with a few things that definitely weren’t on the list, like a hanging plant or a bird feeder.
Second Life Bikes | 21 Main Street, Asbury Park
Second Life Bikes in Asbury Park is a community bike shop with a large selection of new and used bicycles, parts, and accessories. The shop offers repairs at fair prices, making it a great local resource whether a bike needs more air in the tires or a little more serious work. There’s also a focus on sustainability, with recycled and reused parts helping give bikes and gear a second life whenever possible. It’s a practical spot for keeping bikes on the road without having to buy something brand new every time. JSG writer Jess takes her bike here every spring for a tune up to prep it for some summer miles.
Valet Auto Wash Manahawkin | 551 NJ-72, Manahawkin
Valet Auto Wash in Manahawkin is located right before the bridge onto Long Beach Island, so it’s an easy stop before heading to or from the beach. The wash is reasonably priced, the vacuums are seriously strong, and towels are available to give the car a final wipe-down. It’s also covered, which is a major bonus on those hot summer days when the last thing anyone wants to do is stand outside in the heat cleaning out their car. It’s also surprisingly family-friendly, with a front-row viewing spot of the cars going through the wash to keep little ones entertained while the cleanup gets done.
Woodhaven Lumber & Millwork | 1303 Richmond Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach
For anyone tackling a home renovation, building project, or a big DIY job, Woodhaven Lumber & Millwork in Point Pleasant will have the materials to get the job done. This family-run business has been serving the Jersey Shore since 1977, with everything from dimensional lumber and engineered wood products to custom millwork and other building materials. They work with both contractors and homeowners, with design showrooms for projects that call for something more specific than a basic hardware store run.
See More: 50+ Places to Get Coffee in Bergen County
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