The Spot

      Thursday, May 18, 2023: After I browsed and bought a few things at Twice Loved Treasures, I went shopping and browsing at another place: The Spot at The Ave., 618 East Landis Avenue, Vineland (Cumberland County), New Jersey (856-839-2825). First, this place has been labeled as a “shopping mall.” Second, forget about those shopping malls that opened up in the 1950s through the ‘90s because this “mall” was a shared market where different vendors rented a space and sold their merchandise on consignment. From my point of view, I took one look in here and one word came to my mind: Wow! The Spot looked like it was four or five times larger than Twice Loved Treasures—and then there was a lower bargain basement floor. As for the merchandise, some of it was new, and much of it was handmade in clothing, jewelry, arts & crafts, soaps, candles, decorations, and so on. One area that especially interested me was an area selling rocks, minerals, crystals, ceramics, and incense. Some of the rocks and crystals looked like they were in their natural state and others had been set in jewelry. Meanwhile, many vendors sold used items in the form of clothing, jewelry, and accessories, as well as furniture, books, toys, CDs, DVDs, decorations, sewing supplies—including fabrics, and countless other antiques and collectables. Although some of the vendors placed their goods strewn about on shelves and boxes in a slipshod way, others took the time to showcase their items for sale. In some areas I felt like I was in a decorative arts museum—except this art was for sale. Anyhow, this is a not-to-be-missed place. Even downtown Vineland made for an interesting walk with its other stores and some places to stop and eat. The town officials call this part of Landis Avenue “The Avenue.”