"A HOPEWELL HOLIDAY"

The Tomato Factory Antique Store

With sleds finally in use and the days counting down, there's no better place than Hopewell for fantastic holiday finds. Here's an (alphabetical) list of local faves for the lucky ones on your list. Make sure to scroll through so you don't miss the always-amazing Twine! Check out the SHOP GUIDE on the right for store contact information and hours.  



BRICK FARM MARKET: For the foodie on your list look no further: in-house jams and honey, high-quality travel mugs, rooster carafes, beautiful note cards with Hopewell photography, and loads more goodies await at this farm-to-table mecca.

Brick Farm Market

Brick Farm Market

Brick Farm Market

Brick Farm Market

THE BEAR AND THE BOOKS: This newly-opened children's bookstore is a town gem, and already our family favorite.  Let store owner and book connoisseur Bobbie Fishman help you find the perfect collection for your favorite kiddo, from babies to teens. She also offers a fabulous gift opportunity: a personally curated "book-a-month" which will be ship from the store to the lucky recipient all year long.  

The Bear and the Books

EBB: This unique and cozy spot sells an eclectic mix of handmade jewelry, home decor, note cards, children's items, ornaments, clothing, accessories, and also features local artists and artistry. 

Ebb

Ebb

Ebb

Ornament Tray - Ebb

HISTORIC HOPEWELL BLANKET:  For the history buffs and town loyalists on your list, the 2nd annual Historic Hopewell Throw Blanket from the Hopewell Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary is the perfect gift.  It displays Hopewell landmarks with historical briefs and comes in Cranberry, Hunter Green, Duke Blue, or Black on a natural background.  It's 100% woven cotton with  fringe and measures 48"x68".  It's machine washable and made in the USA. Cost: $40 (plus shipping). To order email hopewellblanket@gmail.com or call 609-466-3060.

HOUSE AND HOME: With Amy Karyn (Home Interior Design and Fabric Designer), The Tomato Factory (a co-op of fabulous antique dealers), Umbrella (a home decor shop on the second floor of Tomato Factory), Morpeth Contemporary gallery and more, Hopewell is the perfect town to find that unique gift for the house or art lover on your list.

Amy Karyn 

Amy Karyn

STICKS AND STONES: Leave the tech and gadget gifts to someone else and stop in to this children's haven for "high-quality, nature-inspired toys and playful things for your young explorers, artists, gardeners, inventors, builders, actors, naturalists..." and more!

Sticks and Stones

PURPLE CIRCLE PHOTOGRAPHY: There is arguably no gift in the world as timeless and treasured as a family portrait.  Sarah Fuller, the custom portrait photographer, has a super holiday special: purchase a $150 one-hour Spring 2014 Family Session now through December 31st and receive an upgrade from your choice of 3 images to your choice of 5 images on a disc with printing rights, 25% off a disc upgrade, and 20% off a print order.  Spring Sessions will be available weekends in March, April, May, and June (please indicate preference when you order).  Email sarah@purplecirclephotography.com to take advantage of this special holiday offer!

TWINE: This AMAZING store is packed to the gills with incredible gift ideas for anyone and everyone.  Teacher gifts, hostess gifts, housewares, specialty paper products and cards, books, journals, wrapping paper, and TONS more. A must-visit, one-stop shop. Stop in for their open house this Saturday, December 14th, from 12pm-5pm for refreshments, raffles, craft demo, special discounts, and "everything you want"! 

Twine

Twine

Twine

Twine

Happy Holidays to all!

  

"BOOK LOVER'S PARADISE!"

Book lovers rejoice! In the heart of our favorite little town sits Hopewell resident Bobbie Fishman's adorable, just-opened bookstore: THE BEAR AND THE BOOKS.

Bobbie is not only a book lover, but a connoisseur as well.  For many years she was the children's buyer and seller at Princeton's Micawber and Labyrinth bookstores.

There is something for children of all ages - and the young at heart - at this special spot. With classics galore, and new finds abound, THE BEAR AND THE BOOKS is Hopewell's latest gem.  Stop by the store at 45 West Broad Street.   Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 10am-6pm; Friday and Saturday, 10am-7pm; Sunday, 11am-4pm. Phone: 609.466.1166.

IN HOPEWELL was lucky enough to have a quick "Q & A" with Bobbie to find out a little bit more about her latest venture...

IN HOPEWELL: What made you decide to open your own children's bookstore?
BOBBIE FISHMAN: Stories read to me as a child and, later, books that I read to myself felt powerful and wonderful; reading was a place of comfort for me.  Oddly, the awfulness of much that has been marketed for children in my lifetime made me want to be part of the culling process and influenced my wish to work with children's books as much as the good books did.  I wanted to make sure that children would be able to find good books.

Q: What is the origin of the name?
A:  The bear is the bear that was left in Micawber Books. It was hugged and dragged around and put to bed over the years by any number of children.  When I left Labyrinth, the bear followed me.  When I considered opening the store I realized the bear and the books were what would be inside: as they say in England, "It's what's in the tin."

Q: What is your favorite thing about Hopewell?
A:  I live in Hopewell and have for 30 years.  I've come to think of Hopewell as the place where New Jersey began to be beautiful for me.  I love the hills.  I love that the people of this town found a way to preserve so much land, and that so many of us walk in town and really do appreciate the places that have been saved for all of us to enjoy.  I love that so many children walk to school.  It is my town: that's why my store is here.
   
Q: What and who are your favorite children's books and authors?
A: I have many favorite books and writers.  Writers I most admire include: William Steig, Margaret Wise Brown, Deborah Wiles, David Almond, and Edward Ardizzone.  Books I love include: Amos and Boris (Steig) Cherries and Cherry Pits (Vera Williams) Many Moons ( James Thurber), and the Aurora County All-Stars (Deborah Wiles).

A huge welcome to Bobbie and THE BEAR AND THE BOOKS...we are so lucky to have you!

"HAUNTED IN HOPEWELL"

Double, double, toil and trouble...it's finally Halloween! And while Trick or Treating your way through the Borough, don't forget to stop by Hopewell Fire Department's volunteer led "HAUNTED FIREHOUSE" from 5 to 9pm - it's the real deal.  PS: In a bind? Everything "Halloween" is 25% off at TWINE through Friday. 
Happy Halloween to all!  

"HISTORIC HOPEWELL TOUR"

Take a walk through history on Saturday, October 26th! Sponsored by the Hopewell Public Library as a follow up to their super-cool Scavenger Hunt, the tour will begin at 10:30am and will detail facts and stories about early Hopewell.  Did you know that the current library building was formerly Hopewell National Bank built in early 1890? Or that the library was founded in 1914 in a former harness shop, now Franco's Pizza? Enjoy the stroll and see for yourself what makes Hopewell a "Great Place" indeed! Tour starts at the library at 13 West Broad Street. Stop in to register or call 466-1625.  

ART LOVERS' PARADISE

It has been well documented, from the New York Times to Zagat, that Hopewell Boro is flush with fabulous restaurants.  But there is so much more to this vibrant town, and the 6th annual Hopewell Tour Des Arts this weekend will showcase the Boro's finest artistic talent.  More than thirty galleries and studios of artists will be open to the public (rain or shine) on Saturday, October 12th from 10-5pm and Sunday, October 13th from 11-4pm.  This self-guided tour begins at the Hopewell Train Station and offers a unique chance to see the artist's creative process first-hand.  Be sure to check out the all the great shops and dining spots you see along the way (Twine for shopping and nearby Nomad Pizza for sure).  Maps are available in town at the Train Station and The Brothers Moon restaurant.  Click here for an online map and updated participating artist list. Enjoy!

SMALL TOWN STYLE!

September is hopping in Hopewell! This Friday night, September 20th, at 5pm is the not-to-be-missed CRUISE NIGHT.  Come stroll down Broad Street in the Boro, check out the vintage cars, listen to great live music, and sample some of some Hopewell's finest fare. Then next Saturday the 28th, is the HOPEWELL HARVEST FAIR which brings together "residents, businesses, and community organizations for a day of old fashioned fun and entertainment."  Come join in on the fun while helping out too (money raised is donated to local non-profits).  And last but not least....the evening of the 28th is the ST. MICHAEL'S BARN DANCE AND CELEBRATION from 5-8pm at the St. Michael's Farm Preserve in Hopewell.  Come tour the newly reassembled circa 1840's barn, enjoy a guided walk, take a yoga class with the AMAZING Lara Heimann of Princeton's Yoga Stream Studio, and TONS more activities: native plants available to purchase for home gardening, a family music and movement class led by Music Together class, dance to the Riverside Blue Grass Band, and catered barbecue for purchase by Ian McDonald.  Bring blanket and chairs.  Happy fall in Hopewell!

"EYES WIDE OPEN"

Where can you find this architectural feature?

 The fabulous and creative Hopewell Public Library is hosting a month-long, town-wide scavenger hunt: "Hopewell Observer".  The hunt invites you to "take the month of September to explore all the streets of Hopewell Boro and look closely at the signs, architecture, gardens, and other rewarding surprises that fill our town."  Recommended for adults and older families, all scavenger-hunt items are visible from the Boro sidewalks "in plain sight on both private and public property and Boro businesses - no trespassing necessary!" The hunt booklets are available now at the library.  Record your answers all month long and return the booklet by October 5th for scoring.  Items located throughout the entire Boro.  Happy Hunting!