Gift Shops in Sussex County NJ: 7 Local Stores for Small Business Saturday

The best gift shops in Sussex County NJ are independent, owner run stores spread from Sparta to Branchville, Lafayette, Byram and Vernon, and Small Business Saturday on November 28, 2026 is the perfect day to visit them. Our team rounded up seven local shops that are open and stocking holiday gifts, each verified on its own website or official listing this fall.

You will find olive oils and gift baskets on Lake Mohawk, two very different bookstores, a village of small shops in Lafayette, a farm holiday shop in Vernon and a quirky trading post in Byram. Hours below are what each shop posts online as of fall 2026. Holiday hours often change, so check before you head out.

Sussex County Gift Shops at a Glance

• Garlic & Oil (Sparta): gift baskets, olive oils, specialty foods, home decor
• Sparta Books (Sparta): independent bookstore
• Broad Street Books (Branchville): used, new, rare books and CDs
• Lynn’s Home Decor & Gifts (Lafayette): candles, signs, clocks, collectibles
• The Lafayette Mercantile (Lafayette): boutique clothing, local soaps, stationery, pantry gifts
• Heaven Hill Farm (Vernon): holiday gift shop, wreaths, farm market
• Byram Trading Post (Byram): antiques, vintage, art and local pantry goods

Sparta Gift Shops

Garlic & Oil (Sparta)

Garlic & Oil at 12 White Deer Plaza sits right by Lake Mohawk and is a one stop shop for food lovers. The store lists gift baskets, olive oils and balsamic vinegars, specialty foods, charcuterie boxes, home decor, clothing and corporate gifts or party favors. If you have a long list of hosts, teachers or coworkers, the baskets make holiday shopping fast. Posted hours are Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone: 973-729-0080.

Sparta Books (Sparta)

Sparta Books at 29 Center Street is the town’s independent bookstore, and a book picked by a local bookseller is one of the easiest gifts on any list. Posted hours are Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and closed Mondays. Phone: 973-729-6200. The shop also hosts events, so check its website for holiday happenings.

While you are in town, our guide to things to do in Sparta NJ covers White Deer Plaza and the Lake Mohawk boardwalk.

Branchville and Byram

Broad Street Books (Branchville)

Broad Street Books at 1 Mill Street in downtown Branchville has been buying and selling books since 2003. The shelves cover used, new, rare, scholarly and collectible titles in art, history, theology, science, literature, children’s books and music, plus a large selection of classical and jazz CDs. It is a great stop for the reader or collector who already has everything. Posted hours are Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Phone: 862-268-5184.

Byram Trading Post (Byram)

Byram Trading Post shares a property with Byram Stone at 198 Route 206 North in Byram. The shop mixes antiques and vintage finds with gifts, art, ice cream and local pantry goods like pickles, chocolate, jams, honey and baked goods. That makes it a fun place to build a Sussex County gift box. The shop does not have its own website, so check its Facebook page for holiday hours. Read our full Byram Trading Post feature for more.

The Shoppes at Lafayette

The Shoppes at Lafayette at 75 Route 15 in Lafayette Township is a village of small independent shops, and its directory lists 27 businesses. Village hours are posted as 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some stores keep their own hours and some close on Mondays. On Small Business Saturday, November 28, the Shoppes calendar lists Christmas Village from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with photos with Santa from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. and a tree lighting at 5 p.m. Beyond the two shops below, the directory includes names like Sophie G’s Attic, The Cupboard Shop, Poured by Iazzetti Home, Arc & Alloy Permanent Jewelry, Nemesis Comics and Games and Vernon Threads Clothing, so plan to wander.

Lynn’s Home Decor & Gifts (Lafayette)

Lynn’s Home Decor & Gifts in Building D-4 carries candles, collectibles, signs, clocks, kitchen supplies, home decor and furnishings. It is the spot for a hostess gift or a holiday piece for the mantel. Its listing shows hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Sunday. Phone: 973-940-8881.

The Lafayette Mercantile (Lafayette)

The Lafayette Mercantile is one of the newer shops in the village, in Space I-2 on the lower level. Its listing covers a wide mix: women’s clothing and accessories, baby and toddler apparel, jewelry, books, stationery and journals, hand crafted candles, home decor, gourmet spices, Greek olive oil and balsamic, locally inspired art, house plants, antiques and locally made soaps. Hours are not posted on its listing, so email the shop or check its page before you go.

Vernon Farm Holiday Shop

Heaven Hill Farm (Vernon)

Heaven Hill Farm at 451 Route 94 in Vernon switches to Christmas mode after its fall season. The farm’s Christmas page describes a holiday gift shop with ornaments and unique gift ideas, along with wreaths handmade on the premises, door swags, roping, poinsettias and fresh cut Fraser and balsam fir trees. The year round farm market and bakery stocks jams, jellies, honey, cheese and baked goods for edible gifts. The site lists general hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week, but its December market hours last season were 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so confirm 2026 holiday hours at 973-764-5144. Looking for a tree too? See our Christmas tree farms guide.

How to Plan a Small Business Saturday Route

• South loop: Start at Garlic & Oil and Sparta Books in Sparta, then drive Route 15 north to the Shoppes at Lafayette.
• West loop: Pair Byram Trading Post on Route 206 with Broad Street Books in Branchville, farther north on the same highway.
• North stop: Save Heaven Hill Farm in Vernon for a separate trip and add a tree or wreath.
• Keep going in December: The German Christmas Market of New Jersey returns to the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta December 4 to 6, 2026.

Know Before You Go

• Small Business Saturday 2026 falls on November 28, two days after Thanksgiving.
• Hours listed here are each shop’s posted hours as of fall 2026. Holiday hours can be longer or shorter, so call ahead.
• Several shops close one weekday (Sparta Books is closed Mondays, and some Lafayette shops close Mondays).
• Want to give back while you shop? The Norwescap Winter Wonderland Toy Drive collects gifts for local kids.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Small Business Saturday 2026?

Small Business Saturday 2026 is Saturday, November 28, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Where is the best place in Sussex County to shop several local stores at once?

The Shoppes at Lafayette on Route 15 lists 27 businesses in one village, and White Deer Plaza in Sparta has several shops within walking distance.

Are there independent bookstores in Sussex County NJ?

Yes. Sparta Books on Center Street in Sparta and Broad Street Books on Mill Street in Branchville are both independent.

Where can I buy local food gifts in Sussex County?

Garlic & Oil in Sparta makes gift baskets, Heaven Hill Farm in Vernon sells jams, honey and baked goods, and Byram Trading Post carries local pantry goods.

Are these shops open on Sundays?

Garlic & Oil, Sparta Books, Broad Street Books and Lynn’s all post Sunday hours. Confirm holiday weekend hours directly with each shop.

Never miss a local holiday event. Our free newsletter covers the best events, shops and things to do across all 24 Sussex County towns every week. Subscribe free here.

Primary sources for this guide: Garlic & Oil, Sparta Books, Broad Street Books, The Shoppes at Lafayette and its directory, Heaven Hill Farm and the Byram Trading Post Facebook page.

Featured photo: stock image of handmade jewelry at a market stall, for illustration only. Photo by Elias Jara via Pexels.