If you enjoy shopping in Mays Landing, you'll have a couple of new stores to choose from in the very near future.
As the calendar switches from September to October, you might start thinking about Halloween, but retailers are already a couple of steps ahead of you.
Spirit Christmas Opening in Mays Landing
Within the past couple of days, a giant Spirit Christmas sign has gone up on the former Bed Bath & Beyond store in Hamilton Commons on the Black Horse Pike.
With the massive success that Spirit Halloween stores have had over the years, last year, EHT-based Spencer Gifts decided to give the Spirit Christmas concept a try. They opened eight stores, one of which was around the corner where The Christmas Tree Shop used to be, near Target.
That trial run was a success, so this year, they'll be opening 30 Spirit Christmas stores across the country, with the flagship, again, in Mays Landing.
There's no word on exactly when this store will open. As of Tuesday afternoon, the store was still pretty empty, except for one candy cane visible in the front window. However, you can already schedule an appointment to have your picture taken with Santa.
Other New Jersey locations will include Toms River and Cherry Hill.
Bob's Furniture in Mays Landing is Moving
As we just mentioned, Spirit Christmas opened in the old Christmas Tree Shop spot between Target and Kohl's last year. This year, that is not an option as that spot will soon be the new home of Bob's Discount Furniture.
Bob's, which is in the strip of stores behind Hamilton Mall, is moving across the street. We spoke to the company back in August and they said that the new store will open sometime this winter.
Ocean State Job Lot in Mays Landing
Back over to Hamilton Commons, just down from where Spirit Christmas will be, work is progressing at what will be the latest Ocean State Job Lots store in the area.
Less than a month ago, the company announced it would be moving into the old Big Lots location, right next to Regal Cinemas.
Ironically, they cited the closing of Christmas Tree Shops as one of the reasons that they chose to move there.
Mark O’Connor, Director of Real Estate for Ocean State Job Lot, said, "With the recent closings of Christmas Tree Shops and Big Lots, we know there are a lot of people in the area looking for great deals, and we hope they'll come check us out. We're proud to invest in Atlantic County and, with our new Mays Landing store complementing our recently opened Somers Point location, we look forward to having an even bigger presence in the community."
OSJL is planning on hiring as many as 60 people for this new store.