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Jordan's, the popular gift and card shop at the Princeton Shopping Center, is celebrating a 25th anniversary this month. Known as "the store with personality and panache", Jordan's has become a shopping mainstay not only in the shopping center, but in the Princeton community.
You can do a lot of shopping at Jordan's. Much more than a card shop, it is filled with a super variety and selection — and probably even your neighbors! You are sure to run into someone you know, whether stopping in for a card, buying balloons, or taking time to select a special wedding invitation.
It is almost impossible to leave empty-handed. A treasure trove of cards, gifts, paper products, candles, and novelties, Jordan's offers something for all ages and tastes.
"We are a lot more than a card and paper store," says owner Lewis Wildman. "We have so much. For example, we are the only one in town with Colonial candles — in fact, we are the number one independent Colonial candle store in New Jersey. We also have home office supplies, and for what we sell we have a wide variety and depth of every day products. And we have quality at all prices."
Party Invitations
Jordan's is known for its fine selection of invitations, from informal to wedding, but perhaps not everyone realizes that party invitations can be printed in one hour on the premises, points out Mr. Wildman. "We have 2000 choices of designed and bordered stock paper. This is very popular for party invitations, rehearsal dinners, birth announcements, etc."
"Of course, we have all the high quality books to look at for wedding invitations, too, including William Arthur, Crane's, Vera Wang, and Kate Spade, as well as many other choices. Printing for wedding invitations can be done in seven to 10 days, and sometimes less. There is a big variety in color and type style today. Any person's needs and tastes can be accommodated."
And, of course, there are the cards. The selection is truly unmatched: traditional Hallmark, unconventional, humorous, whimsical — a card for everyone.
More people are buying Thanksgiving cards than in the past, says Mr. Wildman, and there is a big selection. If you want to get an early start on Christmas cards, they are in full supply too, and in great numbers.
"We have 1,000 boxes of photo cards and 5,000 boxes of regular Christmas cards. All the cards can be personalized on the premises. We engrave the cards in the store, and my wife Sondra does the engraving. It's one week for personalization or imprinting."
Single cards range from $.99 to $75 for a unique handcrafted card with special features suitable for wedding, anniversary, or special occasion.
Biggest Sellers
Cards and stationery continue to be the biggest sellers, followed by party goods and then candles. Stationery, with such lines as Crane's, Vera Wang, and Kate Spade, are still popular in our high tech email society, and Caspari cards, napkins, and plates are always in demand.
Calendars (including Advent), date books, organizers, Filo Fax refills, journals, leather address books from England, leather portfolios and scrapbooks, decorative luggage tags — with lots of choices in each category — are a boon to the shopper, whether seeking a gift or an item for him- or her-self.
Customers will also find an outstanding selection of picture frames, from simple to elaborate. New is an assortment of the popular Olivia Riegel jeweled and beaded frames in assorted sizes.
Kids love Jordan's. There are always fun novelties at the counter, piņatas hang from the ceiling, and balloons are plentiful. Kids' "cubbies" overflow with stuffed animals, toys, puppets, puppet books, and flashlights.
Piggy banks, large and small, barrettes are on display, and outside, kids can't wait to ride the mechanical horse, carousel, and cars.
And Jordan's doesn't forget household items. A "Kitchen Corner" offers aprons, tea towels, oven mitts, pot holders, coasters, mugs, etc.
Message Fans
Novelties include individual-sized fun "Sniff" tissue packages, with a variety of motifs, such as holiday, music, etc. Also fun are the DVDs with specific dates, "including information on what was going on in the world the day you were born." Also intriguing are self-programmable message fans.
A variety of figurines, including the traditional Hummel figures, is another Jordan's staple, and always a good holiday gift.
For those planning to get a head start on the holidays, a big selection of wrapping paper (2500 rolls!), gift bags, ribbon, and tags is already on hand.
Loyal shoppers have been coming to Jordan's for 25 years, and Mr. Wildman looks forward to many more years of satisfied customers. He also believes it is important to be part of the community, and Jordan's regularly donates to charities and organizations.
"I like it that I'm having a chance to satisfy people's needs," he says. "And when there is a special request, I will either get it, or direct the customer to it. The people who have shopped at Jordan's know Lewis's name. The store has personality. It's a fun store, and we always do our best for customers."
Jordan's is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday 9:30 to 6. Thursday, Friday until 8, and Sunday 11 to 4. Hours change seasonally. 924-6161.
