Nonna’s is that plus treats.
When hairdresser Debbie Roth decided a few years back to make her booth in an antique mall more than a side gig, she had some opinions about what her own antique mall would be like: It would be like going to your grandma’s house.
“A lot of times you go into stores and there are things just all over the place,” she says. “I made up my mind that I wanted it to be more orderly. And I couldn’t tell you how many compliments we get on that.”
Opened three years ago off Route 7 just beyond Interstate 68, Nonna’s Antiques is not only tidy and fresh-smelling like your grandma’s place—it also has the free coffee and cookies.
The 20 vendors at Nonna’s offer just the things you hope to find in an antique mall, everything from toys and tools to signs and ceramics to jewelry and glassware and charming curiosities. Heading into the holidays, there’s also plenty of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas season decor.
Prices are reasonable. “That was another goal of mine. I didn’t want it to be a place where all people could do was just browse and look and wish,” Roth says. “So our prices are very competitive, but on the lower end, budget-friendly. If you can buy four things for $20 as opposed to nothing, it’s a great shopping experience.”
Business at Nonna’s increased when HomeGrown Pizza opened right next door last October. “When people are waiting on a pizza, they come over and browse for 20 minutes,” Roth says. “Every one of them says, ‘I’m bringing my wife, I’m bringing my mom, we’ll be back,’—and they have come back.” Antique shoppers can make an afternoon or early evening of it. “Eat first, then come shop, do those basement steps, and burn those calories off!”
As a smaller antique mall, Roth says, Nonna’s is able to offer personalized service. “If we post something on Facebook that you want to purchase and you can’t get here for a day or two, you can pay for it by phone and we’ll hold it for you,” she says. If you’re looking for a certain item and it’s not in the mall at the moment, you can leave your name and number in case it comes in, and if you’d like to sell a certain item, she’ll check with the vendors and see if they have any interest. “I feel like we’re more personable that way.”
Nonna’s is open Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–4 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
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