Makers and Memories

Patty Hydock had long envisioned owning and operating a space that would showcase the wares of local crafters and antique dealers.

One year ago, the former Ocean City realtor made her dream a reality with the opening of Emporium on Central, a vibrant, ever-evolving marketplace that offers a truly distinctive shopping and gift-buying experience. 

Located at 16 Central Avenue in Hammonton, the first floor of the building currently houses 15 vendor booths, with six additional spaces available for rent. Hydock is actively seeking crafters, boutique owners, and vintage and antique dealers to fill them. Booth leases are offered with a six-month minimum commitment.

The Emporium’s eclectic selection includes candles, lotions, soaps, vintage and handmade jewelry, resin art, Amish foods, furniture, dog treats, and many unique items. 

“We have fashioned a place where crafters can open a small shop for a reasonable price without too much overhead,” Hydock said. “I find that people use it as a one-stop shop and gift store to purchase one-of-a-kind items.”

Before opening Emporium on Central, Hydock and her husband of 40 years, Steve, owned a bed and breakfast and regularly attended craft shows and street fairs. Those experiences shaped her approach to selecting vendors. When she identified a potential fit, the process was mutual – they interviewed one another to see if they were compatible. 

“I would explain that they can open a shop in Hammonton and have more exposure for a reasonable amount of rent,” she said.

“The vendor tickets and prices the items, and does not need to hire employees to help customers to pick out their goods. We also have people at the cash registers for point-of-sale transactions. Several vendors use us as a secondary site to expand their business.”

Hydock credits the Emporium’s success to its strong emphasis on shopping local, a philosophy that benefits both customers and vendors alike.

“Smaller retailers cater to the people. It’s a rich and memorable experience in our walking district to go beyond shopping at a mall,” she added.

“Hammonton is a destination point where people want to spend the day and find things they are not going to find elsewhere. A lot of the items are handmade and one-of-a-kind. When they are given as gifts, it shows that the giver cares.”

One growing trend among shoppers is the search for vintage items available throughout the Emporium. “People are buying things, like toys and trinkets, that they loved when they were children because they appreciate looking at them later in life. They say it evokes extremely fond memories,” Hydock said.
To further elevate the shopping experience, Emporium on Central offers complimentary gift wrapping and will assemble a beautiful gift basket of selected items for a small fee.

Vendor Kim Palmieri-Selby, who has been in the antique business since 2003, specializes in antiques, vintage, primitive, and country items. She and her husband, Mike, operate three booths, including a greeting card carousel. Her offerings also include vintage and enamel pins, men’s accessories such as flasks and thermos bottles, and other finds.

Palmieri-Selby plans to open a fourth booth with her friend Nicole Wenger, featuring new women’s and men’s clothing — including plus sizes — as well as novelty socks.

“Customers say how much they love the shops because they are different and unique. Everything is clean and neat, and they instantly fall in love with the items sold by the 15 vendors,” Palmieri-Selby said.

She especially enjoys buying and selling specialty soaps, featuring unique fragrances such as lemon, oatmeal, beer, and frosted peppermint. “Emporium on Central is amazing, beautiful, and smells so good,” she said. “Shopping in Hammonton is a great experience at the Emporium and near to restaurants and ice cream shops. I encourage everyone to stop by.”

Hydock herself operates a booth at the Emporium, where she sells Dixie Bell Chalk Paint, a popular product used for painting furniture, kitchen cabinets, and more. Due to strong interest, she plans to begin hosting workshops on how to use the paint, with additional hands-on classes also in development.

She said the Emporium has grown into a close-knit community, one that has helped her make close friends. Several vendors volunteer their time at the checkout area and often take group outings to discover new crafters and products.

“Sometimes a few of us will go on shopping days together,” Hydock said. “It’s great being around people who like to do the same things as you do.”

While Hydock valued her 25-year career in real estate — more than half of it spent in Ocean City — she said the profession helped prepare her for running Emporium on Central.

“As a real estate agent, you listen to what the clients’ needs are and try to show them houses that fit that description,” she said.

“It’s all about listening to people, finding out what they want, and helping them meet their needs. So, when someone is wandering around the Emporium, we are always eager to welcome them and help them find the items they are looking for.”