Price conscious tableware and party supplies. Good service. The place needs a dusting but otherwise it's great

Amazing--I love this place. I used to come here with my mom when I was younger for fun stuff like cookie cutters and cute bowls (she was getting useful things while I looked around) and I still come now! They've got a huge selection and kind staff, I can always find what I need here. Even really odd or specific stuff that I can't find at the Container Store or Sur la Table. Really great, and fun to visit! Huge selection of the best quality items for an amazing price. read more

I agree with the first review which said it is a "little scary" looking. Scary and low-budget (no budget?) decorating it is, but it will save you big $$$ on your purchase. A pan is a pan, regardless of what the store looks like. Stopped in today looking for a particular cookie cutter that was not in-stock, but the nice guy looked around in boxes as if my purchase was going to be for 300 cookie cutters. Side note: they also have the "Paper Annex" next-door, which has some good deals on party supplies, but the same older woman has been working in my last two visits, and she is kind of grouchy. read more

Not all that inviting, but in conclusion, China Fair is an absolute GEM! I have driven past this place tons and tons of times and even though Newton has it's own look about it, this place doesn't fit in (when I think of Newton, the atmosphere doesn't even seem somewhat like the rusty old conditions of China Fair, which seems more sensibly located in an old alley in the worst section of Boston). And for a while, I actually thought it was closed. You really can't tell it's open.... and anyone who has the courage to go into the little "shack" on the opposite side of the building, called the "Paper Annex", with a small paper sign on the door, HAS to have some bravery. Even though it looks closed, drive up behind the building (even though it looks like a one way road... I can guarantee you, it isn't), and park your car, if you are looking for the best prices throughout the large city of Newton on any storage containers, timers, baskets, mason jars, wine glasses, kitchen utensils, mugs, plates / bowls, small appliances, decor for home, towels, and all sorts of other stuff. They even sell banana holders (too bad, I hate bananas). Anyway, the woman working was friendly, and the prices throughout the store were well lower than any of the nearby competition. Remember, think Newton here. Bloomingdale's, Crate & Barrel, and HomeGoods are the three only other places I can think of with this kind of stuff, and while HomeGoods, specifically, has good prices, but still nothing like this! I have to take off a star for the poor design of the parking lot and driveway of this place, as well as the building that is in major need of an overhaul, but I still highly suggest it. 4 stars for China Fair. read more

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BUYER BEWARE! They do not honor the integrity of their products. I have been shopping here for over a year. I have bought some great things for great prices. Sometimes I saw the items for a better elsewhere (like BMS in Jamaica Plain or Restaurant Depot), sometimes not. Last week, I purchased a Snow River wooden cutting board. As soon as I got home, I opened it and washed it with a warm soapy sponge and rinsed it off. I then roasted a chicken, and carved the bird on my new board. The ends immediately started to split, and the glue between the wood pieces started to extrude. I cleaned the board ad brought it back to China Fair. The old guy behind the counter was very rude. He accused me of soaking the board and bleaching it. First of all, my sink isn't big enough to place the board in it to soak, and I never use bleach on my food equipment. Bleach is not a safe option for sanitizing. He would not exchange the item or refund my money. He said it's the same as buying a glass from him, taking it home, breaking it, then wanting my money. This wasn't glass, it's a defective item. As soon as I got to my vehicle, I called Snow River in Crandon, WI. A rep named Brian told me that he was unaware of any vendors in Massachusetts by the name of China Fair. He later found out that a liquidator had purchased some of their product from a third party. The product had been sitting for a very long time in a warehouse where the wood could dry out. These 14 inch cutting boards were produced YEARS prior and were made for decorative purpose. He said the liquidator paid less than a dollar per board. China Fair sold me this product for $29.99. In the spirit of customer service, he said he would replace the item directly with a cutting board from his factory if I shipped mine to him. He was rather appalled that someone was selling these items as food grade. Lesson learned. Do not buy anything you don't want to be stuck with. These people have no customer service. read more

!!!!!!!!! Kitchen supplies as far as the eye can see! Mason jars, bowls, squeeze-y bottles! Ice cream makers! Dishware! I have only been here once, but when I walked in, I knew immediately that my wallet would be in trouble if I perused for too long. Got some squeeze-y bottles for dispensing my hot sauce, mason jars for packaging it, and I think I got a couple other things that I forget now. But boy oh boy, this place rocks. They have so many alluring glass bottles and jars that I want to buy. And it's also really crammed with stuff but in a huge space and people will leave you alone and you can walk around looking at everything and do your own thing. That was a run on sentence, but China Fair makes me so excited that my punctuation goes out the window! Love this place! read more

I have been buying at China Fair for about 12 years. Besides all of their bargains on the expected items like pots and pans and kitchen tools and designer dinnerware....... The little known secret is their delicious jams, jellies and the same dried spices sold by Shaw's and Stop & Shop for 50% of their prices. The best place in the area for spices at super low prices. I've used them for years and China Fair is my only source for spices, jams, jellies as well as stainless steel cookware. The decor is raw and I love it. No pretenses, great stuff, equal to the fancy stores, at prices that beat the pants of Target and Sonoma & Barrel. Indeed you need to keep your eyes out for the green sign on Needham Street. The driveway entrance is easy to miss but it is well worth the adventure. You can spend $25 here and leave with bags chuck full of great quality goodies. Ask the guy at the counter for anything and he knows his stuff. Good suggestions for substitutes if they don't have exactly what you want. Also they will go into the back and dig out whatever you need if it happens to not be out in the retail area. Very low key. Zero pressure and lots of wisdom about kitchen stuff. Most especially helpful to me...... A guy. read more

Perfect place to shop & buy kitchen & dining room. Great place to get new ideas. Helpful employees, or you may simply 'window shop'. Nothing like it that I have seen. I have been going here for many years & look forward to visiting again soon. ljk read more

Eww, yuck, creepy! I had been many years ago and it was always a treasure trove of goodies at great prices. Yes, it was sort of a hole-in-wall type place, almost like you have to know the secret code to find it and get in, but this place has fallen in terrible disarray. Yes, there are still piles of dishes, kitchen gadgets, and glassware but it's like walking through someone's dismal mouse ridden basement! The ceiling looks like it'll cave in any minute and pipes above your head make the creepiest noises. This would all be worth it if there would good deals but no, you can do better anywhere else. Nothing really special here, like a Christmas Tree Shop but gross and dirty aisles and displays. Prices are too high for these conditions. To top it off, the man working there is incredibly unfriendly! Wouldn't look up, wouldn't banter one bit with my friendly greeting. What a jerk, made me just want to walk out and not give them any business. So that's what I did! Seriously, has anyone from the city looked at the building here? Can't be safe or up to code! read more

It looks like an abandon warehouse, but that's why everything is 20-40% less than Crate & Barrel, Linen N Things, and Bed,Bath,Beyond, and so on. I have fun going here just to browse the kitchen gadgets. Guys are a little rough around the edges, but are extremely knowledgeable and know where everything this in this massive building. My gf says to bring your coat, it's cold inside. read more

This place is my new go to for any kitchen do-dad. I went in looking for a mesh strainer and walked out with cookie cutters in dinosaur shapes, a mug tree, a cutting board and some ball glass jars. I can't wait to go back and buy random things! The annex is also great for paper goods! Love this place! read more

Great no frills kitchen supply store. They have good deals on basics. I just got a couple things, great place to buy holiday cookie cutters if you want individual shapes and don't want to buy a whole set. The staff was really friendly and helpful. Next door at china fair paper annex the staff was a little rude. I said hi and got ignored and I was the only customer and the two women just shouted to eat other through the store and ignored me. Ha, won't go back there but I like the main store. read more

So....I'm a little confused by this place. As others have mentioned, the building looks like it's about to fall down (think buckets/trash cans collecting rain water), which is fine. I guess I was a little thrown off by the items that they sell. Yes, the cookie cutter variety is useful. Otherwise, it's basic-grade pyrex, corningware, anchor hocking, etc that you can get at Macy's (on sale) and Walmart for dirt cheap (not that I'm a Wally-World advocate). I noticed a Lodge Cast Iron Skillet for $35. It's the same price on Amazon (or cheaper). They have some Farberware, along with lots of no-name brands that I wondered if I could find at the Christmas Tree Shops or Ocean State Job Lot/Building 19 for less. I just didn't see the great deals. Cheaper maybe, but for cheaper quality. Note: I'm not a kitchen expert and I love a deal, so perhaps this is quality equipment and I don't know it. I stopped in to the paper annex before leaving. Lots of cute plates, napkins, balloons, plastic cups, etc for your party needs. Not sure if the prices are the best around (for sold colors, head to the Xmas Tree Shops), but they have everything in one place. Odd spot, but I guess I can see why people are drawn to it. read more

This place is pretty spot on if you know how to buy kitchen equip. The pans they sell are very nice and for 60-80 bucks are a steal compared to 200+ all clad brand at other stores. Very heavy stainless steele and other such pots/pans. Yes there is some cheap stuff but if you know how to shop for kitchen stuff you will be in heaven. The poster who complained about the quality of the pots and pans obviously doesn't know much about cooking! Farberware psha who buys that crap, get the good stuff. Or if you want to buy crappy brands go to walmart. Side note place is a dump..... read more

Great housewares for truly super prices. Gadgets, flatware, small appliances, etc. Love it, love it, love it!

Yes, the bldg is run-down, yes, the help is less than friendly BUT if you're a foodie or a cook, this place is fantastic! Tools, equipment, you name it - so many great finds in here! read more

This review is for Paper annex same place and owners China fare. Unfriendly, uninterested staff. Dirty, smelly, prices are ok, but small selection compared to party city etc. not worth the trip. I don't understand how this dump stays in business. Hint : closed Mondays over the summer. read more

I had not been to China Fair for nearly 20 years or so (when my mom dragged me there as a kid....). I had forgotten about it. Boy, was that a mistake... If you want Williams & Sonoma or Sur La Table atmosphere, then you might be slightly disappointed, but if you want very, very good products (many commercially rated) at great prices, then you have to go (as in run there now--not whenever you get around to it...) to China Fair... I have never been to the store in Cambridge so my review is only about the Needham store. I understand that they have very similar products and identical pricing in Cambridge, but I cannot comment on the atmosphere in Cambridge. The Needham store feels like a warehouse type of store with virtually no windows. There is stuff everywhere and the order can be hard to figure out at first, but it doesn't take long to get your bearings. The cool thing is, for those of you like me that thoroughly enjoy any thing related to food and cooking, that China Fair can be your candy store. There are aisles and aisles of cookware, cutlery, utensils, gadgets, bakeware, glasses and glassware, dishes, etc.... Plus, if your knives need a good sharpening, just bring them down and they'll sharpen them for you, typically while you wait, for $1/knife. And they are definitely sharp when they're done. Foodies and cooking nuts--don't miss out on this hidden gem of a store. You never know what creative ideas may come out of a trip there. read more

All kinds of good bargains on cookware, dish-ware, kitchen gadgets and more. I get my knives sharpened here too, a real bargain.

Worst service ever. Horrible store. Smells and is very old. The workers were rude and completely useless. They had nothing I wanted and could care less. Do not waste your time or money!! read more

The place has a lot of decent kitchenware decently priced, and the staff is reasonably helpful. Unfortunately, I had an experience that left a very unpleasant impression. Recently, I bought a frying pan, among other things. Everything was unpacked and the packing discarded as soon as I got home. When I wanted to use the new pan the next day, I felt a flaw on the inner Teflon surface. I looked closer, a piece of the Teflon was chipped. I left the pan out to bring it back. Unfortunately, my dad saw the pan and used it to fry an egg. Once. One egg. Not that it matters. I still felt the store should take it back as it was damaged when purchased, and because they wouldn't be reselling the damaged pan to anybody. Right? The staff at the store questioned my story, implied I damaged the pan, and refused to take it back. I can see this happening to someone who keeps returning stuff. I'm a good customer, who bought a lot from the store previously with never a single issue. I understand the notion of not taking back used things. But the pan was damaged to begin with, was used once for a single sunny side up, and would not be in any condition to be resold or even sold in the first place, if the blemish was noticed. Basically, my mood was ruined, and the unpleasant aftertaste of this experience left me unwilling to recommend this place to others or come back. read more

Bought a knife online for my aunt and the box showed up empty. I emailed, called and went into the store personally. They did not replace it. They fleeced me of $70.00. Beware of this guy. (BTW- I told him I had shopped there for 30 years (which is true) and he that was about to lose a client and he said he was fine with that. Nice brand, not!) Will never go there again. read more