Tons Of Toys

I came across Tons Of Toys by accident when I was looking at another store nearby. Quickly noticing this toy store I proceeded top see what it was like and what they offered. It also helped that there was a big blowup clown at the front of the store.

Tons Of Toys offers many items ranging from action figures, s, games, plush dolls, and so much more for you to choose from. A lot of brand names and generic items both populate this store, and populate they do. The store is really cluttered upon entering. The aisles are tight and there are toys everywhere even on the ground.

Another fascinating discovery was finding some really old toys still on the shelves, some of them dating back 10 years ago. It seems like anything in their inventory is put on the shelf, even if it hasn't sold for a decade or more. This was actually a treat to find since it was good to see some hard to find items on the shelves, whether they knew it or not.

Tons Of Toys is a bit hard to see at first glance tucked away behind some other stores. However it's worth a glance if you need to find something quick.

PROS: Lots of toys
CONS: Cluttered store

Thinking Of You

Thinking of You is set off of Franklin Turnpike in Waldwick, NJ. It's very hard to miss if you are zooming by, as it is set back into a larger parking lot. However, the facade is attractively painted and inviting. If you are looking for custom invitation services and other paper items, this is a great store to visit.

Inside, there are two separate areas for you to browse. You'll notice that Thinking of You sells greeting cards for all occasions, including handmade cards. Currently, painted decorative items like jars and boxes line the windows of the shop. In the area farthest from the front door, you can meet with a consultant to discuss invitation options. There is a small table where you and the Thinking of You employee can review samples together. The staff is friendly and can give you one-on-one attention.

Thinking of You is a store to visit if you are hosting a formal or informal party and you want unique invitations to leave a lasting impression with your guests. If you are looking for unusual gift items and paper goods, Thinking of You will be able to serve your needs.

PROS: Quiet store, prompt service.
CONS: none

Ramada By Wyndham Rochelle Park Near Paramus

The Ramada Inn in Rochelle Park, NJ was the first hotel I stayed in when I made my first trip to New Jersey. It was selected because of tehvey close proximety to the Garden State Plaza, which I was very grateful for since I became a frequent visitor to the mall during my stay.

Making reservations was very easy over the phone and once I arrived, I didn't have a problem with anything as the staff was very helpful and accomodating.

The rooms are very clean and very spacious. I felt very comfortable staying inside without having to worry about anything, which is exactly what you want when you are away from home. A great in-house internet service is provided for you at a daily rate that proved to be a very useful tool.

Room service is also provided. If that's not your cup of tea, then there is also a sit-down restaurant and bar for your dining pleasure.

The Ramada Inn is also on the path into the New York City. The bus stop in front of the hotel will take you right to the Port Authority and you can determine where you want to go from there. Very easy to use and navigate if you are the daring type of person.

As mentioned earlier the Garden State Plaza is very close by, only a 10 minute, maybe even less, walk from the hotel. Great exercise if feel to cooped up in your room.

The rates are very good and fluctuate during the seasons. Make sure to take advantage of any specials that they offer.

Overall, my stay at the Ramada Inn was a pleasant one. I'm just glad my hotel days are over.

PROS: Good proximety to a lot of things
CONS: Noisy highway outside

Westfield Garden State Plaza

The Garden State Plaza in Paramus, NJ is an experience all unto itself. I have been to very big malls before, even experience the gargantuan West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Albeta, Canada, but I always forget how tiring an experience like this can be. As exhausting as a trip like this is, it's also great to house so many stores under one roof.

This mall has practically everything you need, from big department stores--JC Pennys, Macy's, Nordstrom's, Old Navy, Lord & Taylor, and so much more--to others--Victoria's Secret, Borders, Brookstone, Danier Leather, and many more. There is something for everyone.

The food court offers a variety of selections for your eating pleasure. Plus, there are a few restaurants situated inside and around the mall itself. An inside carousel helps alleviate the burden of y small children as they can enjoy a little ride.

With a big mall like this you can expect a lot of parking to accomodate it. Just be prepared to do some defensive driving as crazed shoppers fight for viable parking spaces close to the doors of the mall. The congestion of cars can break the steel nerves of any sane person with people don't follow proper driving safety procedures.

I really just trying to get to the mall off Rt. 17 with all the merging traffic coming in and out. It's an accident waiting to happen every single time.

If you get tired of shopping, you can relax at one of the many restaurants around, or catch a movie at the cinemas close by. If you are still in the shopping mood, Ikea is just down the street to satisify you need to shop.

This place offers almost everything and really is a one-stop shopping mecca.

PROS: Huge mall, lots of stores
CONS: Always congested, driving is a nightmare

Saturn Of Ramsey

The wife and I were in the market of getting a second vehicle for the household and decided to drop by the Saturn dealership to see what was being offered. Located on Rt. 17 in Ramsey, we were treated as monarchy as soon as we entered through the doors.

Our sales person was super friendly and really took the time in explaining the cars he had in stock, going over all the features and specifications of each . He was very patient and accomodating to our needs when we questioned him about everything under the sun.

My wife and I were so impressed with what was presented to us that we made the decision to purchase a Saturn, just because we were presented with the most clear and concise presentation to both of us understood. he made the sale very easy and we didn't hesistate to jump on the offer he was giving us.

Needless to say we are extremely happy with the purchase we made. The rest of the staff took the time to go over a lot of paperwork with us explaining the finer details of our contract, as well as listed the features and making sure we understood how the car properly worked. What was amazing was how they give us a hearty send off with flowers, balloons, and a jovial cheer. They made us feel that the decision of buying a new car was very important to them but done so in such a friendly way, it was almost like a family occasion.

I wouldn't hesitate to purchase another Saturn from them if I'm going to be treated like this all the time. For once the commercials don't lie.

PROS: Extremely friendly and helpful, very understanding and patient
CONS: none

Just Rookies Inc

I was searching around for a place online that sold a particular style of game pieces that was in the neighbourhood, and my search lead to Just Rookies in Wyckoff, NJ. It described the place as a sporting cards collectibles and gaming store.

As I entered I noticed how much space there was in the store despite the medium sized look. It was either still in rennovations or the owner was moving things around. Lots and lots of sporting cards were available behind glass showcases as well as autographed sporting items. The prices are far from cheap with some of the items costing you an arm and a leg to purchase.

When I walk into a place for the first time I can usually get a good vibe of the shop itself. I didn't feel comfortable at here at all. The staff didn't even ask if I needed any help and just ignored me, maybe because I wasn't a regular customer. On top of that I didn't see any gaming pieces at all that I was looking for to my utter disappointment.

Just Rookies seems like a place for high-end collectibles for thise people looking for over-the-top items that may impress other people. Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed by what this store had to offer.

PROS: Interesting selection of collectibles
CONS: High prices

Cathay Chinese Restaurant

Cathay Chinese Restaurant is the first Chinese restaurant I've been to since moving to New Jersey. Located in Waldwick, NJ, this sit-down restaurant offers some delightful Chinese cuisine. I also learned throughout time that the selections on the menu have been "Americanized" to make it more suitable for the American taste.

The restaurant has been around for a long time and as a steady clientele that patronize the place. The prices on the menu are really quite good and the food is tasty. I don't know if it's just me or if me taste buds have cjanged a bit but I've started to find their food a bit more salty than others though.

The staff is very friendly and courteous. They treat their customers with respect and make sure they are comfortable when dining in. If you don't have the chance to eat in, take out is always an option and they do plenty of business that way as well.

I'm still looking around to find some place that serves authentic chow mein which, as I'm finding out, is a very hard thing to do in New Jersey. I was hoping Cathay would have been accomodating in that aspect but it wasn't right. Nonetheless, I still enjoy eating from this restaurant.

PROS: Good location and food
CONS: No authentic chow mein

Ray's Waldwick Pizza & Restaurant

It's good to have a list of pizza parlors in the neighbourhood in case one is busier than the other. Waldwick Pizza is part of that list in which we draw upon for some fast pizza.

Located as part of a strip mall which includes Stop & Shop, Gil's Bar & Liquor, and a laundromat, Waldwick Pizza is a convenient stop for that one-stop shopping feel. Get some groceries, do your laundry, pick up some wine, and feast on a pizza.

They have a special on their large cheese pie from Monday to Wednesday for pick-up orders. Take full advantage of it because it is cheap. Besides pizza, they also offer a selection of other foods such a buffalo wings, heroes, calamari, and much more. If you can't make it to pick up your pizza, then don't worry--they do deliver.

Waldwick Pizza is great to have around for a good pick-me-up type of meal. It's fast and convenient, and it tastes pretty good as well. It's a testament to the place as my son enjoys getting his large cheese pizza from this place.

As with most pizza places they only take cash so no credit cards can be used over here. Ample parking is provided as long as you can naviagte around the grocery shoppers.

This is a nice place to go to if youneed something fast and don't wish to cook at all for the evening.

PROS: Good food, cheap prices
CONS: Pizza can be oily sometimes

Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market in Ridgwood, NJ has a great selection of naturally grown, organic foods. The layout of the store alone is wonderfully pleasing to the eye with displays artistically arranged all over the place.

Lots of organic foods, baked goods, meats, cheese and fish are always available to be bought. Other foods such as soup, salad and sushi is readily available as well for your eating pleasure, even if you want to take some time to eat over there. Don't forget about their catering service as it may come in handy one day for those parties that you might throw.

Parking is a bit tight but not impossible, unlike the other stores deep within Ridgewood itself. The prices are reasonable making food shopping pleasurable, especially knowing that you'll be eating a bit healthier as well, which cannot hurt in any way possible.

Whole Foods Market is a good alternative to living a better lifestyle.

PROS: Great food selections
CONS: none