Yes, we love us some BuyBuy Baby and Target, but when it comes to registering for that one perfect crib quilt or onesie, sometimes you want a store that’s a bit more personalized, where the inventory is carefully curated and the salespeople have personally used every item in the store. We’ve rounded up 10 New Jersey baby boutiques that can help with everything from breast pumps and strollers to monogrammed onesies and keepsake baby books. Take a look and start shopping local!
HANDCRAFTERS
Livingston, 973-992-6270, handcrafters.com
Why We Love It: Handcrafters is famous for personalized gifts. With much of its inventory monogrammable, the store’s best bets are sweet step-up stools, rocking chairs, christening blankets, baby wipe cases, bibs and burp cloths.
How to Register: In person.
Good to Know: If you’re headed to a baby shower, the store has oodles of grab-and-go gifts—many of which can be personalized on the spot. Think picture frames, photo albums, baby bead bracelets and more.
MURRAY & FINN
Summit, 908-522-4513, murrayandfinn.com
Why We Love It: Open just a year, Murray & Finn has already developed a loyal following thanks to its Eurochic kids’ clothes selection. Shop for yourself here, too—lots of stylish options for before, during and after pregnancy.
How to Register: In person.
Good to Know: Store buyers head to Paris twice a year, so expect brands from The City of Light, Amsterdam, Berlin and beyond.
BAMBI BABY
Hoboken & West New York, 877-822-2624, bambibaby.com
Why We Love It: Started nearly 40 years ago, Bambi Baby offers everything from cribs and car seats to strollers and nursery furniture. Look for brands like UppaBaby, 4Moms and Britax and selections of essentials like high chairs, bouncers, carriers and bedding. Crib prices range from $200 to $1,500.
How to Register: Online or in person at the store’s main showroom in West New York or the smaller boutique in Hoboken.
Good to Know: Bambi is close in feel to a big box store, but still family-owned and operated.
KIDEGORIES
​Shrewsbury, 732-530-0066, kidegories.com
Why We Love It: Specializing in nursery items like cribs, armoires, baby dresser changers, bassinets and cradles, Kidegories offers luxe brands like Newport Cottages and Oeuf. Baby gifts are also plentiful here, so bookends, piggy banks, handpainted step stools, rocking horses, and hooded towels are all good bets.
How to Register: In person.
Good to Know: Expectant moms can actually create custom bedding—come in with a color palette or pattern in mind and the Kidegories staffers will design sheets, bed skirts, blankets and guard rails to boot.
THE COUTURE BABY
Ridgewood, 201-857-4877, thecouturebaby.com
Why We Love It: To say The Couture Baby is over-the-top when it comes to its take on baby style is an understatement (in the best way possible!). Known for their super glam one-of-a-kind headbands, accessories here can be custom designed to include rhinestones, feathers and tulle flowers. The store also carries layettes for girls and boys (including one that looks like a tuxedo), tutus and pettiskirts, crib bedding and blankets, diapers bags and more.
How to Register: Online or in person.
Good to Know: The shop employs a team of designers to help moms create exactly what they’re looking for (think sweet outfits or props for an upcoming portrait session) and they’re also able to personalize most of their inventory—their motto is “if we can hoop it, we can embroider it!”
SUKI’S THE CHILDREN’S BOUTIQUE
Millburn. 973-379-0110, sukiskids.com
Why We Love It: Suki’s is a high-end baby and children’s boutique that carries more than a dozen different lines of layettes, in addition to nursery furniture from the likes of Keekaroo, Bloom and Dwell. Round out your registry with a stroller and car seat, too, since the store carries big name brands like Cybex, Baby Jogger, B.O.B. and others. Bonus: Staffers also help plan baby showers.
How to Register: In person.
Good to Know: If the baby en route isn’t your first, Suki’s owners Todd and Gali Rivkees encourage parents to shop with their littles, and even have a kids’ play area in the store.
BABY CROSSING
Morristown, 973-425-4080, babycrossing.com
Why We Love It: Everything layette under the sun is at Baby Crossing, which has cozy offerings from Kissy Kissy, Magnolia Baby and Petit Bateau, among other brands. This high-end store specializes in clothing but also carries bunting, sleep sacks and gifts (think sweet Moses baskets, plush baby animals and blankets). A monogrammer is on-site to personalize whatever you need.
How to Register: In person.
Good to Know: An extensive offering of preemie apparel is available here.
WEE BABE
Hoboken, 201-222-3792, weebabe.com
Why We Love It: If ever you were looking for local place that matched up to BuyBuy Baby, where you can stock up on all the basics like Medela pumping gear, Dr. Brown bottles and a Nosefrida, but still find cool design-y clothes and toys, this place is it. Personal shopping is available, with free 45-minute sessions aimed at teaching moms not only about what they’ll need, but also what products make the most sense for them.
How to Register: Online or in person; 5 percent of the cost of all the purchased items on your registry goes back to you in the form of a gift card.
Good to Know: Any product you need can be sourced within a few days.
CHARLOTTE WEST
Manasquan, 732-223-9400, charlottewestbaby.com
Why We Love It: Charlotte West is a go-to spot for organic layettes and all-natural teethers. Always seeking out made-in-the-USA brands, the store’s owner (who named the boutique after her daughter) also sources from mom-owned brands like Pink Chicken—a bestseller for girls’ clothes. Charlotte West also stocks a great selection of strollers, bathtubs, carriers and bottles.
How to Register: In store is preferred, but moms can also email a wish list gathered from the online store.
Good to Know: They offer a “twins discount”— anyone purchasing more than one of the same item gets 10 percent off.
OVER THE MOON
Montclair, 973-746-1728, overthemoonnj.com
Why We Love It: Nestled in the heart of Montclair, Over the Moon specializes in high-end French, American and Australian apparel brands. In addition to layettes aplenty, the store carries a selection of baby and kids’ shoes, handmade hair accessories, hats, sunglasses and more. Christening outfits and special occasion-wear (think tulle tutu’d party dresses) are a highlight here.
How to Register: In person.
Good to Know: Beautiful gift-wrapping is offered free of charge.
