This New Jersey Antique Shop Is Packed With Vintage Oddities And Stories From The Past

Have you ever wondered what happens when your grandma’s attic collides with a treasure hunter’s dream? That’s exactly what walking into Then & Now Consignment Shop in Hawthorne feels like.

From the back entrance tucked behind the fire station on Lafayette Avenue, you step straight into a maze of vintage oddities, antique furniture, glassware, and collectibles that seem to whisper stories from decades past.

It’s the kind of place where you swear you’ll “just browse for a minute” and suddenly three hours have vanished.

The owners make it even better: warm, welcoming, and so passionate about preserving the past that shopping feels more like hanging out with old friends who happen to own the coolest attic in New Jersey.

Whether you’re eyeing antique baptism outfits, quirky advertising signs, or a typewriter that begs for a spot in your living room, there’s always something that makes your heart skip.

Fair warning: your Instagram feed is about to get a serious vintage glow-up, and your afternoon plans? Cancel them.

Once you start digging, you’re not leaving anytime soon.

A Hidden Treasure Trove Behind the Fire Station

Finding Then & Now Consignment Shop is half the adventure, honestly. Located at 610 Lafayette Avenue Rear in Hawthorne, New Jersey 07506, this gem sits tucked behind the local fire station, down a driveway that Google Maps loves to send people past.

Look for the red arrow sign near the fire station, which might be playing peek-a-boo with some leaves depending on the season.

The entrance is around back, and while the exterior might look modest, don’t let that fool you for a second. Step inside and you’ll realize this place is like Mary Poppins’ carpet bag, impossibly bigger on the inside than it appears from the street.

The shop is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM, plus Wednesdays, giving you plenty of chances to explore.

Parking is easy and plentiful, which is a blessing when you’re planning to spend hours treasure hunting. The location might seem quirky at first, but it adds to the charm of discovering a true hidden gem in northern New Jersey.

Visitors consistently mention how the unassuming exterior makes the interior explosion of vintage goods even more delightful.

Pro tip: save the address in your phone before you go, because getting turned around near the church parking lot is a rite of passage for first-timers. Once you find it, though, you’ll be planning your return visit before you even leave.

Floor to Ceiling Vintage Wonderland

Walking into Then & Now feels like someone took every cool attic, basement, and estate sale in New Jersey and condensed them into one magical space. The shop is absolutely packed from floor to ceiling with vintage items in every nook and cranny imaginable.

Shelves tower overhead loaded with glassware, ceramics, and collectibles that span multiple decades and styles.

The sheer volume of inventory means you could visit ten times and still discover something new each trip. Customers rave about spending four to five hours here and still not seeing everything the shop has to offer.

The layout is intentionally dense, creating that thrilling treasure hunt atmosphere where the next amazing find could be hiding just around the corner or tucked behind another vintage piece.

This isn’t your sterile, organized antique mall with everything perfectly displayed and labeled. Instead, it’s an authentic digging experience where part of the fun is searching through the abundance of items.

Some might call it overwhelming, but true collectors and vintage enthusiasts call it paradise.

The constantly rotating inventory keeps things fresh, with new arrivals appearing regularly as the owners source items from various estates and collections. You’ll find everything from advertising signs and old typewriters to period clothing and antique books stacked throughout the space.

The atmosphere is enhanced by old school music playing in the background, completing that nostalgic time travel vibe that keeps customers coming back week after week.

Stunning Vintage Glassware Collection

Glass lovers, prepare to have your breath taken away. Then & Now boasts one of the most impressive vintage glassware collections you’ll find in northern New Jersey, with pieces ranging from delicate crystal to sturdy Depression-era glass in every color imaginable.

Visitors consistently mention the glass selection as a standout feature, with many leaving the shop carrying carefully wrapped treasures for their own collections.

Whether you’re hunting for the perfect vase for artificial flowers, completing a vintage tea set, or just admiring the craftsmanship of bygone eras, the glass section offers endless possibilities. The variety spans multiple decades and styles, from elegant etched crystal to colorful carnival glass that catches the light in magical ways.

Crockery and tea sets sit alongside decorative pieces, each with its own story and history.

The owners understand the delicate nature of glass items and take special care with packaging. Multiple customers have praised how their purchases were individually wrapped in paper and carefully boxed, with price tags thoughtfully removed before packing.

This attention to detail shows the pride and care that goes into every aspect of the shopping experience.

Prices on glassware are described as very fair and reasonable, especially considering the quality and condition of the pieces. You’re not paying inflated antique mall prices here; instead, the owners price items to move while still respecting their value.

Whether you’re a serious collector or just someone who appreciates beautiful vintage glass, you’ll find pieces that speak to you without breaking the bank.

Eclectic Mix of Advertising Signs and Displays

Step back into the golden age of American advertising with Then & Now’s fascinating collection of vintage signs and displays. These aren’t reproductions or modern knockoffs; these are authentic pieces that once hung in actual stores, gas stations, and businesses across the country.

From colorful metal signs advertising long-forgotten products to wooden store displays that once showcased goods in Main Street shops, this collection captures the visual language of commerce from decades past.

The variety is impressive, covering multiple eras and styles of advertising. You might find a 1950s diner sign next to a Victorian-era store display, each piece representing different chapters in American commercial history.

These items make fantastic conversation pieces for home decor, man caves, or anyone looking to add authentic vintage character to their space.

What makes these pieces special is their genuine history. Each sign and display carries the wear and patina of actual use, making them far more interesting than mass-produced replicas.

The fading paint, minor dents, and aged surfaces tell stories of the businesses they once served and the customers who walked past them daily.

Collectors of advertising memorabilia will find the selection and pricing here particularly appealing. The owners understand the market for these items and price them fairly, making it possible to start or expand a collection without the sticker shock often associated with antique advertising pieces.

Whether you’re decorating a vintage-themed space or just love the aesthetic of old-school advertising, this section deserves serious browsing time.

Touching Collection of Vintage Clothing and Baptism Outfits

Among the more emotionally resonant items at Then & Now is the collection of vintage clothing, particularly the baptism outfits that have touched visitors’ hearts. These delicate garments represent some of life’s most important moments, preserved through decades and now waiting to either continue their purpose or become cherished decorative pieces.

The craftsmanship in these old christening gowns is simply stunning, with hand-sewn details and embroidery work that you rarely see in modern clothing.

Beyond baptism wear, the shop offers period clothing from various eras, giving fashion history enthusiasts and vintage clothing collectors plenty to explore. These aren’t costume shop reproductions; they’re authentic garments that people actually wore, complete with the construction techniques and fabric choices of their respective time periods.

Whether you’re a collector, a theater costume designer, or someone who appreciates historical fashion, these pieces offer tangible connections to the past.

The condition of the clothing varies, as you’d expect with genuinely vintage items, but the owners are knowledgeable about what they have and price accordingly. Some pieces are museum-quality, while others show their age in ways that only add to their charm and authenticity.

What makes this collection special is how it represents the personal side of history. Unlike furniture or dishware, clothing is deeply intimate, having been worn during important life events and everyday moments.

Holding a christening gown from the 1920s or a dress from the 1940s creates a powerful connection to the people who came before us, making these items some of the most meaningful treasures in the shop.

Charming Vintage Dolls from Earlier Eras

Doll collectors and enthusiasts will find plenty to love in Then & Now’s selection of vintage dolls from earlier eras. These aren’t your modern plastic playthings; we’re talking about dolls with porcelain faces, composition bodies, and the kind of craftsmanship that made them treasured possessions for generations of children.

Some visitors describe them as “very cute,” which is the understatement of the century when you’re face-to-face with a perfectly preserved doll from the 1930s or 1940s.

The variety spans different decades and styles, from baby dolls to fashion dolls, each reflecting the toy-making trends and materials of their time. Some still wear their original clothing, while others have been lovingly redressed over the years.

The patina and wear on these dolls tell stories of tea parties, bedtime cuddles, and childhoods long past.

For serious collectors, finding vintage dolls in good condition at reasonable prices can be challenging, but Then & Now delivers on both fronts. The owners understand the doll collecting market and price their items fairly, making it possible to add special pieces to your collection without the astronomical prices sometimes seen at specialized doll shops or auctions.

Even if you’re not a collector, there’s something nostalgic and touching about seeing these vintage dolls. They represent a different era of childhood, when toys were fewer but more precious, often passed down through families.

Whether you’re adding to a collection, searching for a specific doll to restore, or just appreciating the artistry of vintage toy making, this section offers a sweet trip down memory lane.

Impressive Record and Comic Book Collection

Music and comic book fans, this one’s for you. Then & Now houses collections of vintage vinyl records and comic books that are absolutely worth digging through, according to multiple enthusiastic reviewers.

The record selection spans various genres and eras, offering everything from jazz and classical to rock and pop from decades past. There’s something magical about flipping through old albums, reading the liner notes, and imagining the living rooms and teenage bedrooms where these records once spun.

The comic book collection similarly offers treasures for collectors and casual fans alike. Whether you’re hunting for specific issues to complete a series or just browsing for interesting vintage comics, the selection provides plenty of material to explore.

Comics from various decades and publishers can be found, each one a snapshot of the art, storytelling, and cultural concerns of its era.

What sets these collections apart from what you might find at specialized record or comic shops is the treasure hunt aspect. Items aren’t necessarily organized by strict collector standards, which means you might stumble upon an unexpected gem while browsing.

That element of surprise and discovery is part of what keeps customers coming back regularly to see what new arrivals have landed in these sections.

Pricing on both records and comics is fair and collector-friendly, making it possible to build or expand your collection without feeling gouged. The owners recognize the value of these items but also want them to find new homes where they’ll be appreciated, striking a balance that benefits both serious collectors and casual browsers looking for cool vintage finds.

Friendly and Helpful Owners Who Make the Experience

Here’s something you don’t find everywhere: shop owners who genuinely care about your experience and treat every customer like a welcomed guest. Sarah and Joe, the hearts behind Then & Now, receive glowing praise in review after review for their warmth, helpfulness, and genuine passion for what they do.

Multiple customers mention them by name, which tells you everything you need to know about the personal connections they build.

Their approach to customer service goes beyond basic retail courtesy. They’ll work with you on prices when appropriate, help you find specific items, carefully wrap your purchases, and even remove price tags before boxing everything up.

One customer was amazed when the owner went above and beyond to accommodate an “unreasonable request,” showing flexibility and customer care that’s increasingly rare in retail.

The pride and love Sarah and Joe have for their shop is evident in every interaction. They’re not just running a business; they’re preserving history and connecting people with pieces of the past that resonate with them.

Their enthusiasm is contagious, making the shopping experience feel more like visiting friends who happen to have the coolest collection in New Jersey.

Even when the shop gets busy on weekends, which it often does, the owners maintain their friendly, patient demeanor with every customer. They understand that part of the appeal of Then & Now is the personal touch, the feeling that you’re not just another transaction but someone whose treasure hunt they’re invested in.

This genuine hospitality, combined with their knowledge and fair pricing, is why customers become regulars who visit nearly every weekend.

Fair Pricing That Lets Treasures Find New Homes

One of the most frequently mentioned aspects of Then & Now in customer reviews is the fair and reasonable pricing. In the antique and vintage world, pricing can be all over the map, with some dealers charging premium prices that put items out of reach for average collectors.

That’s not the philosophy here. The owners price items to move, understanding that their goal is connecting treasures with people who’ll appreciate them, not sitting on inventory with inflated price tags.

Customers consistently express pleasant surprise at how reasonable prices are, especially given the quality and condition of the items. Whether you’re buying glassware, furniture, clothing, or collectibles, you’re getting fair market value or better.

The owners know their merchandise and understand the market, but they also recognize that part of the joy of vintage shopping is the thrill of finding something special at a price that doesn’t require a second mortgage.

The shop’s willingness to work with customers on pricing, when appropriate, adds another layer of fairness to the experience. This isn’t about aggressive haggling; it’s about reasonable conversations between people who appreciate vintage items.

The owners want their treasures to find good homes, and sometimes that means meeting customers halfway to make a sale that makes everyone happy.

This pricing philosophy, combined with the constantly rotating inventory, means you can visit regularly without breaking the bank. Many customers mention stopping by nearly every weekend and finding something new each time.

That kind of repeat business only works when prices are fair enough that customers feel good about their purchases and excited to return, which is exactly the relationship Then & Now has built with its community.

The Thrill of the Hunt and Constantly Changing Inventory

What keeps customers coming back to Then & Now week after week isn’t just what’s there, it’s what might be there next time. The inventory constantly changes as new items arrive from estates, collections, and consignments, meaning each visit offers fresh discoveries.

Regulars mention that they find something new almost every time they stop in, which is the hallmark of a well-managed consignment and antique operation.

The shopping experience here is deliberately designed around the treasure hunt concept. Items aren’t always perfectly organized by category or era, which some might see as messy but true collectors recognize as part of the fun.

You have to dig, explore, and really look to find the best pieces. That’s not a bug; it’s a feature.

The sense of accomplishment when you uncover that perfect item tucked away in a corner is what vintage shopping is all about.

Plan to spend several hours here if you want to properly explore. Multiple reviewers suggest allocating four to five hours, and some joke that you could spend days and still not see everything.

This isn’t a quick in-and-out shopping trip; it’s an experience, an adventure, a journey through decades of material culture. Bring comfortable shoes and your sense of curiosity.

The old school music playing throughout the shop enhances the nostalgic atmosphere, creating a pleasant escape from modern life. Customers describe losing track of time while browsing, which is exactly the kind of immersive experience that makes Then & Now special.

Whether you’re a serious collector hunting specific items or just someone who loves vintage aesthetics, the thrill of never knowing what you’ll discover next keeps this shop feeling fresh and exciting visit after visit.