Audubon Day

     Sunday, April 27, 2025: On a technicality, my story began in Audubon (Camden County), New Jersey. In 1956, I arrived at the old Audubon Hospital, but I grew up in Clementon, NJ. Other than an occasional shopping trip to the old Black Horse Pike Shopping Center (nowadays it is called Audubon Crossings), I spent most of my childhood in or near Clementon. Anyway, April 26th was the birthday of John James Audubon(1785-1851), the author of Birds of America, and several towns picked that day to honor him, including Audubon. For 2025, the town had their first annual Audubon Day at the Francis J. Ward Recreation Center & Audubon Family Park, 602 Hampshire Avenue, (856-547-0711). Nevertheless, because of the threat of rain, those in power changed the event for the next day. Therefore, on the date above, I bought a sandwich from one of the close to a dozen food trucks, and I ate it inside the recreation center. Later, I looked at tables, inside and outside, promoting different groups and causes: 18 altogether, including a historical society, different departments for the borough, and other community organizations. In addition, I noticed about two dozen vendors selling their merchandise. Meanwhile, I also saw other events that included children’s games and live music—but I didn’t see anything promoting John James Audubon. However, this has been their first time running this celebration. So maybe things will be a bit different next year! 

Gabreil Daveis Tavern

     Saturday, April 26, 2025: The Gabreil Daveis Tavern, 500 Third Avenue, Glendora (Gloucester Township), Camden County, New Jersey (856-228-4000) dated back to 1756, and despite the name, the restored rooms looked more like a circa 1756 house than a tavern. On the day I was there, I toured the following rooms: a kitchen, a dining room, a parlor, and a reception area containing literature about this place as well as other nearby historic places. Meanwhile, on the date above, the Gloucester Township Historic & Scenic Preservation Committee played host to a colonial re-enactment. Besides touring the tavern, I noticed people dressed in 1700s-style clothing taking part in 18th century crafts and trades: blacksmith, archer, flintlock rifle shooting, tomahawk throwing, cannon shooting, basketry, beading, etc. For a charge, visitors could take part in some of these activities. This was the first time I’ve seen the public invited to try some of these crafts and trades! Although, I just looked around, I found what I saw worth my time.

   

Haddon Heights Antique Center

     Tuesday, April 15, 2025: For this date, I went to a totally different business for retail: an antiques & collectibles store—but what a store it was! The Haddon Heights Antique Center, 531 Clements Bridge Road (at the corner of East Atlantic Avenue), Barrington (Camden County), New Jersey (856-546-0555), was an antique and collectibles mega store. On three floors, I browsed at almost every kind of merchandise: tableware, artworks, and books, as well as furniture, clothing, toys, glassware, jewelry, seasonable items, etc. This “store” contained a co-op that included items from about 80 dealers displaying their wares. If you couldn’t find something to interest you here, then you weren't looking very hard. There were so many isles that you could get lost, and the staff suggested raising your voice a bit to get help to find your way out. In addition, Haddon Heights Antique Center often had sales almost everyday. I’ve seen large antique stores in Northern NJ, but this is the first time I have seen one closer to where I live. Thus, I have said this before about other large antique stores, and I’ll say it again: I felt like I was in a decorative arts museum—except that this art was for sale. If you are in Southern NJ, don’t miss it. 

Stella Farms

     Monday, April 14, 2025: While Stella Farms, 459 New Freedom Road, Berlin (Camden County), New Jersey (856-767-3144) didn’t quite have the “flash & glamour” compared to Springdale Farms in Cherry Hill, NJ, it has been around longer—since 1921. As a child, my parents used to buy corn-on-the-cob, NJ strawberries, and other produce during the 1960s and ‘70s. (When in season, I still like to buy their corn and strawberries.) Of course, on the date above, not too much NJ produce had been in season, yet, but this place sold produce from elsewhere as well as baked goods, jarred foods—especially honey, and plenty of flowers! As the temperatures would get warmer in the year, Stella Farms would have much more local produce for sale, and this would prove why NJ has been called “the Garden State.” Throughout the Spring, Summer, and Autumn, this farm has played host to different family events, and they also sell seasonable decorations for your home and yard. 

Springdale Farm Market

     Friday, March 28, 2025: Many years ago, Cherry Hill Township, Camden County, New Jersey, had been called Delaware Township. Then on November 7, 1961, the residents voted to change the name. Before then, in the early 20th century, and as late as 1931, Delaware Township had as many as 82 farms. Nowadays, only Springdale Farm remained. I stopped by recently and did plenty of browsing, and I also did some shopping. Of course this farm market: Springdale Farm Market, 1638 Springdale Road (856-424-8674), has been in business for over 75 years. In addition, it was not some simple produce stand! Instead, this market provided rows and rows of fruits & vegetables, a bakery selling many kinds of baked goods, as well as other foods: jarred food, both sweet and savory, other packaged foods, etc. Both inside the building and outside, I noticed potted flowers, hanging baskets of flowers, and other plants such as herbs & spices. This store also sold garden equipment, outdoor furniture, and kitchenware—almost any thing to do with your kitchen and garden. From late Spring through December, this place played host to different events for the family, and private events that included hayrides. Therefore, if you would like to see what Cherry Hill looked like before it became a built up edge city/sprawling suburb, stop by this farm market, and shop locally. You won’t be sorry, and you might be buying stuff for yourself and your kitchen or garden. 

Clementon Historical Commission

     Wednesday, March 19, 2025: I grew up in Clementon,(Camden County) New Jersey. If you read the entry in this blog called “Early Childhood Places,” I mentioned living in Clementon from 1956 to ‘74. As a child and later, a teen, I remembered the building that I visited on the date above as the former borough hall, library, and police station. Currently it has been the headquarters of the Clementon Historical Commission and included a small museum: Clementon Historical Commission, 195 Gibbsboro Road (856-783-0284). I meant to visit this museum someday, and when I learned that the Commission had been planning to have an open house to celebrate Clementon’s 100th anniversary (1925-2025), I felt this would be as good a time as ever to see the museum. Once inside, I looked at pictures, texts, and exhibit items that presented Clementon’s past: from American Indian arrowheads to items on display from the past 100 years. Of course, I became nostalgic looking at anything to do with the 1960s and early ‘70s! Overall, it is a small museum, but I found it worthwhile to see and reminisce.   

Camden County Historical Society

     Wednesday, March 12, 2025: In the past, I’ve been to different county historical society museums, except for the one in my own county. (Shame on me!) Nevertheless, on the date above, I couldn’t say that anymore because I visited the Camden County, New Jersey, Historical Society Museum, 1900 Park Boulevard, Camden, NJ (856-964-3333). Once inside, a very friendly and enthusiastic tour guide took us around the different sections on two floors of this museum and the adjoining Pomona Hall. Right away, I noticed the historical and genealogical research library. Then our guide took us to an area about African-American history, and it especially covered the subject about the enslaved people who lived in Pomona Hall in the 1700s. This led to a tour of Pomona Hall, a house that the Cooper Family first build in 1726. Years later in the 1780s, the Cooper Family extended and expanded the house. Our guide showed us five rooms and a hallway that the staff furnished to the way it might have looked in the 1780s. Later, back in the museum building, our guide let us observe the exhibit areas on the one floor: 1) a Camden (city) History Mural; 2) Lenape, “We’re Still Here; and 3) the American Revolution. On another floor, we saw Made in Camden. This section displayed tools for trades and domestic work from the 1700s, and it also showcased the industries that were once in Camden, including the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and Campbell’s Soup. Another area presented the Camden Music Hall of Fame. Overall, via pictures, exhibit items, and texts, I learned much about Camden’s past. The only problem I had was that most of the museum covered Camden city and very little about the rest of Camden County. Anyway, I still recommend seeing this museum and getting to know more about the history of this county seat.

Greenfield Hall

      Friday, October 4, 2024: The Indian King Tavern wasn’t the only historical place in Haddonfield (Camden County), New Jersey. Another place has been the headquarters of the Historical Society of Haddonfield: Greenfield Hall, 343 Kings Highway East (856-429-7375). While I have been to the Indian King Tavern many times, this was the first time I had ever visited Greenfield Hall. The founder of Haddonfield, Elizabeth Haddon Estaugh, gave this property to her cousin, John Gill, in 1728. Years later, another Gill family member, John Gill IV, had the current house build in 1841. From then until 1914, the house belonged to the Gill family. After 1914 to 1960, different owners lived in the house. Finally, in 1960, the Historical Society of Haddonfield made it their HQ. Nowadays, the Historical Society has offered tours of different rooms furnished with furniture & items from the 1700s and 1800s. The rooms upstairs usually displayed temporary exhibit themes, but when I was there it wasn’t opened. On our visit, a very enthusiastic guide showed us about a half dozen rooms while she told us the history of Haddonfield, the people who lived in this house, Haddonfield’s past industries, and so forth. Throughout the year, the Historical Society plays host to special events, especially near Christmas, and they offer tours of the town. Therefore, if you are ever in Haddonfield, NJ, in addition to the Indian King Tavern, Greenfield Hall is also worth a visit! 

Barclay Farmstead Museum

      Wednesday, September 11, 2024: Back in the 1990s, I had visited the following place during a Christmas event: Barclay Farmstead Museum, 209 Barclay Lane, Cherry Hill (Camden County), New Jersey (856-795-6265). On Wednesdays and on first Sundays of the month, this 1816 farmhouse has been opened to the public for tours. During my last visit, I didn’t tour the house, but this time I did. Our very informative guide told us about the history of this house and about the families who lived there through the years from the 1816 Thorn Family to later private owners up into the 20th century. In 1974, the Township of Cherry Hill acquired this house and property. Anyway, on two floors, I noticed that the rooms, except for an upstairs bedroom, looked the way it might have looked in 1816. The Thorns were Quakers and the interiors reflected their simple tastes. As for that upstairs bedroom, that was the exception, another owner bought the house in the later—1800s, and he had the house furnished in Victorian-Gothic. Therefore, that one bedroom included most of the furniture and items he owned. In the rest of this house, many of the furniture and items were either from the 1810s, or the restorers displayed reproductions of that decade. Our guide also told us, via the furniture and items in the house, the origin of such terms as “sleep tight,” “toaster,” “gridiron,” and so forth. Overall, I learned a lot more about this house than I did during the last visit. Meanwhile, the special events held throughout the year, especially near Christmas, have been worth attending. In addition to this house, I glanced at other farm outbuildings: a springhouse, a barn, and a corn crib, as well as other sights on this 32-acre property: a kitchen garden, a community garden, some nature trails, a playground, a picnic area, etc. If you are in Cherry Hill, NJ, stop by and see one of the oldest places in this township opened to the public!  

Camden County Farmers' Market

     Thursday, August 15, 2024: Last year, I visited the Burlington County (New Jersey) Farmers’ Market and I wrote about it in my blog (September 9, 2023). This year, the Camden County, NJ, Commission decided to start a farmers’ market: Camden County Farmers’ Market, 508 Lakeland Road, Blackwood (856-225-5576). While I didn’t expect it to be anywhere near as large as the farmers’ market in Burlington County, I also didn’t expect it to be a “work in progress” either. First, the county commission held the market on a weekday (Thursdays in July and August from about 3 PM to 7 PM), and second, they had it in the middle or late afternoon. This was usually the time of day when the worst weather happened. I missed going there twice because of weather issues: super-hot one week and excessive rain the next week! (Thus, I wondered whose idea it was to have the farmers’ market on that day and time.) When I arrived, I saw only one vendor, and he was with one of the sponsors of this market. Therefore, he told me that they sometimes have as many as a half dozen vendors, but on the date above, it felt more like a farmer’s market instead of a farmers’ market. He then informed me that other vendors who had been there sold produce, jarred foods, honey, and so forth. Anyway, this vendor sold some very fresh-looking and colorful produce, and I bought some of it. Nevertheless, if you happen to be in or near Blackwood, NJ, on a Thursday afternoon in July or August in decent weather, a stop here will be worthwhile.         

Downtown Haddonfield

     Tuesday, June 25, 2024: It was un-Christmas day, and I decided to celebrate by spending a few hours in Downtown Haddonfield, Camden County, New Jersey. (June 25th is exactly six months after the previous Xmas and six months away from the next Xmas. I can’t stand those “Xmas in July” sales and TV specials. I guess some people can’t read a calendar.) Once I arrived in town, I noticed that scaffolding covered the Indian King Tavern, the most historic place in town. (I wrote about it in an earlier blog entry.) Nevertheless, the staff kept the building opened for tours. Because I have been there several times in the past, and it was lunchtime, I headed to the British Chip Shop, 146 Kings Highway East (856-364-0204). Opened six days a week, the public could experience a touch of the United Kingdom by eating British and some American foods while watching overseas sports on a big video screen, especially international football (what Americans call soccer). Different UK-themed pictures on the walls added to the atmosphere, and the service was efficient. Meanwhile, the food was very good, and the prices were moderate. This place could definitely dispel the myth of British food being lousy. Afterward, I walked around Haddonfield’s quaint-looking main street, Kings Highway, and browsed at the shops with its plethora of merchandise & food stores as well as other restaurants and a statue of Haddy the dinosaur. (In the 1800s, paleologists found many dinosaur bones nearby.) My favorite store was closed that day, but I’ve been to it many times before: the English Gardener Gift Shop, right across the street from the British Chip Shop. In the last several years, I have bought their imported British Xmas (plum) puddings and mincemeat pies during the holiday season. In addition to themed gifts and foods for certain holidays, this store sold a large amount of edible and non-edible items imported from the UK. For more shopping, there has been a Saturday morning farmers’ market in the warm weather, and Haddonfield plays host to special events throughout the year with its share of vendors!        

Audubon Crossings

     Thursday, July 18, 2023: I was born in Audubon, Camden County, New Jersey in a small hospital. (In later years, those in power tore down the building and built a new building that became an insurance company. Then, early in the 21st century, it became a medical building again.) Anyway, I grew up in Clementon, NJ. Therefore, the only memories I have of Audubon as a child were when my parents drove through Audubon on Route 30, the White Horse Pike, and they would point out the hospital as they drove by—or in later years, where it once was; and the other memory was more clear to me: taking me to the Black Horse Pike Shopping Center. This outdoor mall opened in 1960, and I remembered the anchor stores being Korvettes, Penny’s, and Woolworth’s. In addition, there were plenty of smaller stores and a good deli. Through the years, different stores replaced many of the original stores, and in 2005, the new owners demolished this shopping center. Then a little later, another shopping center replaced it: Audubon Crossings, 130 Black Horse Pike, Route 168, Audubon (610-277-8899). On the date above, I visited here, and at first glance, it seemed like a shadow of its former self in looks. Instead of an outdoor shopping mall, it currently has been a U-shaped strip mall with Walmart located in the bottom of the U. The large parking lot (car park) filled in the center of the U-shape. As I took a closer look, I saw the following big discount stores on one side: Goodwill, Five Below, Marshall’s, and Ross—among a few other businesses. (At least in my mind they are honest discount stores—not outlet stores pretending to sell designer clothes!) On the other side, I looked at Lane Bryant, Rainbow, and a few others, along with some restaurants: two Asian restaurants, one pizza place, and a few fast food places. I did find a few bargains and had a good lunch in one of the Asian restaurants. Thus, I’d suggest giving this place a chance.  

Clementon Park

      Monday, July 17, 2023: I grew up in Clementon, Camden County, New Jersey, and I lived there from 1956 to ’74. (My parents moved from Philadelphia, PA to Clementon, NJ in 1950.) Last year, I visited Clementon Park, 144 Berlin Road, Clementon (856-783-0263), and I wrote about it in my blog article, “Early Childhood Places,” June 29, 2022. In that article, I compared the town of Clementon and Clementon Park in the 1960s and early ‘70s to last year. Currently, I planned to mention what I learned about the park on this trip. Similar to last year, the admission included both the amusement park and the water park, and both parks were small enough to visit in one day if you stayed most of the day. (The park provides lockers.) For the few hours I was there, I visited the amusement park, but because it was hot & humid that day, most people went to the water park. Therefore, it seemed like I almost had this part of the park to myself. First, I had to surrender my umbrella—and pick it up again on the way out. (I use an umbrella to protect me from the sun. If you need protection, put on some sunblock.) Once inside, I noticed that park employees were still testing the amusement rides, and it was getting close to an early lunchtime, so I had lunch. The prices here were a bit high and you could not bring in outside food. People on a budget, however, could get their hands stamped for re-entry to the park, get their food in their cars, and either eat near or in the car or go to the nearby exterior picnic area where the park provided tables under pavilions. (Thank goodness! Parking is free.) As for the details about the parks themselves, I covered that in “Early Childhood Places.” Anyway, on the date above, I did pretty much what I did the year before: road a few rides and looked around.    

Carnival Of Collectables

      Wednesday, July 12, 2023: A few years ago, I visited Carnival of Collectables, 368 Berlin-Cross Keys Road, Suite B, Sicklerville, Camden County, New Jersey (856-545-3187). Back then, this store in a warehouse had shelves of collectable items. Since then, this place has won awards as the best of Southern NJ by the readers of the Courier Post for six years as the best antique shop and best consignment/resale shop. Therefore, I had to see this place again. In these 12,000 square feet that contained over 130 vendors, I saw quite a change from the last time. Here I noticed antiques and collectables in a much better presentation. Each vendor had decorated his or her space to look more like individual rooms. I’ve said this about other antique malls before, but it has been especially true about this place: “It reminded me of a decorative arts museum, except that this art was for sale!” The merchandise dated from the 1800s into the 1980s and included some of the following items: fine arts, decorative arts, and furniture, as well as clothing, toys, household goods, books, jewelry, vinyl records, CDs, video tapes, DVDs, games, holiday decorations, lunch kits, etc. During certain times of the year, they played host to special events. Believe me, I am sure you will find something to buy here, and you will also spend much time browsing in these many isles as well. (Being a science fiction [SF] fan, I found some SF items, especially about Star Trek and Star Wars.) 

Collingswood Farmers' Market

      Saturday, July 8, 2023: Collingswood, Camden County, New Jersey has been very familiar to me because my parents used to take me shopping here once in a while when I was a child, and for a few years in the 1980s, I lived in Collingswood. Nowadays, every so often, I liked walking around this downtown along Haddon Avenue. This part of Haddon Avenue included a lively shopping district, and Collingswood also has had its share of culture, nightlife, and special events year round. One of those special events happened rain or shine on Saturdays from May through November: Collingswood Farmers’ Market, along Atlantic Avenue from Collings Avenue to Irwin Avenue (856-701-0358). When I was there, I saw close to 50 vendors selling many kinds of foods, especially produce. Most of it grew on local farms, but for some of the foods, the local farmers imported it from other areas. (You try growing tropical fruit in NJ’s climate!) In addition, other vendors sold baked goods, dairy, and meats, as well as pastas, herbs & spices, and some non-edible merchandise. I even found some produce that I couldn’t find in my local supermarkets. Meanwhile, I heard a local band playing at one end on the market. Overall, it all looked colorful and fresh, and if you planned to be in this area, check it out for yourself.    

Big Kahuna's Water Park

      Thursday, June 29, 2023: For the first time in four years, I went swimming. Therefore, I decided to visit this Camden County, New Jersey place: Big Kahuna’s Water Park, 535 NJ Route 73, West Berlin (856-767-7580). Because I picked a weekday, I thought that this place wouldn’t be too loud: I was wrong! This has been a former warehouse. Thus, sounds did echo, especially screaming. Anyway, if you liked wild water rides, there have been plenty of water slides here and an area for surfing—both of them indoors. Outdoors included a wave pool and a regular pool. They also had water attractions for children and tamer water rides—all in a tropical setting. While I was waiting for the indoor pool to open, I rode a river ride on an inner tube. Later, the pool opened, and I spent most of the rest of my time there. As more people arrived, it got louder, and so I dried off (Bring your own towels.) and walked around to check out what other things this place had to offer. Here, I saw an arcade, bar, and a somewhat expensive restaurant (No outside food allowed.), as well as changing rooms, a gift shop, and places to sit. If you could stand the noise, you could get your water thrills or get refreshed-or both. I’m glad that there has been a water park close to where I live. The weekend could get more crowed and no doubt, more noisy. The inside is opened year round, and I may try a repeat visit, but I’ll be better prepared for the noise too.

Haddon Heights Farmers' Market

     Sunday, June 3, 2023: As I said in an earlier article: If there was a farmers’ market in the area, I would find it, and I found another one in Camden County, New Jersey: Haddon Heights Farmers’ Market, along East Atlantic Avenue near Station Avenue (856-261-2943). Unlike the farmers’ market in Merchantville, NJ, however, Haddon Heights Farmers’ Market had more vendors selling food, especially produce. Here, I noticed about one-quarter to about one-third of the over 30-some vendors sold produce that included plenty of fresh and colorful fruits & vegetables. Others sold baked goods, beverages, and herbs & spices, as well as pasta, nuts, jams, soups, and other edible stuff. I also viewed some vendors who sold non-edible merchandise: fine & decorative art, jewelry, candles, soaps, etc. Meanwhile, some local musicians, at one end of the street, played mostly folk and country music. For my part, I was happy to find some produce that I couldn’t find in a few different supermarkets near me!  

Market Off Centre

      Friday, May 5, 2023: If there was a farmers’ market in the area, I would find it! On the date above, I visited one in Merchantville (Camden County), New Jersey: Market Off Centre, along East Chestnut Avenue (856-488-0976). (This is the phone number for a coffee house/restaurant called The Station. Located in Merchantville’s former train station, this place could be a good place to rest after walking through the market or anytime in Merchantville’s downtown. Most of its menu contained vegetarian foods in the form of sandwiches & snacks, and they also served coffee and other beverages.) Altogether, along both sides of an asphalt path where the train tracks used to be, I saw about two dozen vendors who sold different kinds of merchandise: jewelry, accessories, and crafts, as well as soaps, candles, jarred foods, baked goods, etc. In addition, three food trucks had hot dogs and pretzels, as well as ice cream and soft drinks for sale. Later in the evening, Camden County Library presented “Story Time” followed by music from either a disk jockey or a local band. If nothing else, it was a good way to spend the first Friday of the month supporting local farmers, artists, and merchants. Even downtown Merchantville had its share of a variety of shops to visit earlier in the day. (While there is no more train service, a local NJ Transit Bus stops at the corner of Chestnut and Centre Streets.)    

Adventure Aquarium

      Tuesday, April 4, 2023: The last time I was here was in 2000 when this place was called the New Jersey State Aquarium. Back then, the exhibits mainly focused on sea life off the NJ Coast. In 2005, those in power renovated and expanded the aquarium. They also renamed it Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Drive, Camden (Camden County), NJ (844-474-3474). While this wasn’t the largest aquarium I’ve ever been to (compare to the one in Baltimore, Maryland), it has been the largest in NJ, and it took me about three hours to see! I arrived in time for an early lunch before I toured this place. (Lunch was expensive, but if you are on a budget, you can get your hand stamped for re-entry and eat elsewhere. Some people brought their own food and ate it in their cars.) After lunch, I entered the newer area that presented one of their main attractions: two hippos. Another popular section in this area displayed one of the largest collections of sharks as well as rays and of course, several fish. Then I walked over to the older part of the aquarium where I saw a simulation of a tropical storm in a South American jungle while the tank underneath exhibited piranhas. Later, it was a more cute experience for me when I was looking at a simulated beach and water tank for the little blue Australian Penguins. The rest of this section showed plenty of different kinds of fish from around the world and reptiles: turtles, an alligator, a caiman, and lizards. In the next zone, I watched stingrays, and just outside, at Penguin Island, I glanced at African Penguins moving about. Upstairs in yet another zone, I noticed different frogs, and in different parts of the aquarium lived some parrots and a few other kinds of birds. Additionally, this aquarium showed 3-D films having to do with marine life, some touch exhibits, and a play area for children, as well as a virtual-reality sea dive (for an extra charge), daily feeding of the animals, and talks by the staff. Meanwhile, Adventure Aquarium provided plenty of text, pictures, and videos helping to explain more about the sea life they presented. Overall, this place proved to be both educational and entertaining.      

Gloucester Premium Outlets

      Wednesday, March 1, 2023: I celebrated my birthday by visiting the Gloucester Premium Outlets, 100 Premium Outlets Drive, Blackwood (Camden County), New Jersey (856-302-0878). Back in December 2022, I visited the Jackson Premium Outlets in Ocean County, NJ, and I noticed many similar stores at the Gloucester Premium Outlets, but I wasn’t surprised because Simon Property owned both places. (Simon Property owns over 70 malls and outlets across the USA.) The main differences between the two outlet centers were in the layout. Whereas the Jackson Outlets had a roughly, u-shaped, strip-mall shopping center look with the parking lots in the center, the designers made the Gloucester Outlets in the shape of an outdoor mall with the parking lots surrounding the shopping center. Other than that, Gloucester Outlets stores offered “discounts” from 25% to 65%. If you had read what I wrote about the Jackson Outlets on this blog, you would have known what I had to say about shopping for clothes in outlet stores. (In a nutshell, about 80% of clothing for sale in outlets has been made in factories just for selling in the outlets—despite the designer label. The workmanship will not be as good as the same designer-label clothes made for department stores or boutiques.) Nevertheless, as long as you knew what you were buying, you could find bargains here. In addition to clothes, I also noticed stores selling accessories, household goods, shoes, and so forth. If you are in the area, it is worth a stop!