This long strip mall has been around for a long time, even longer before I was born! Back then,…read moremost (if not all) of the units were filled with retail stores. Finding a parking spot at any part of this place was never an issue during that time. In the 90s, the notable anchors included Toys R Us, Kids R Us, Marshall's, and Shop-Rite. Of course, we can't forget about the department store called Caldor's. Yeah, I went to that store when I was a little kid for clothing, toys, and more. I bet you folks during the 90s time period (and maybe earlier?) remember that store. There was also the movie theater. I remember seeing the structure, but never caught a flick there. I don't even remember if it was still operational during the 90s. I bet you folks remember that too. Today, the strip mall consists of various stores that sell clothing and general merchandise. There are also stores that separately sell some electronics (Radio Shack), school supplies (Becker's), and video games (GameStop). Finally, there are places to grab something to eat in the main unit (Five Guys, Let's Yo), and in separate, stand-alone locations (Wendy's, Arby's, Buffet, and TGI Friday's). Hard to decide on where to go? The movie theater was replaced by Michael's, which sold supplies for arts and crafts. Caldor's space was replaced by Kohl's. The types of merchandise that Caldor's carried was no different than Kohl's. Kids R Us was replaced by Office Depot (small store that sold office supplies before closing down) and Sears Outlet, which sold refurbished appliances and units with broken or missing parts at low prices. So where do you want to go? Whenever I come here, I usually go to either ShopRite, Kohl's, or Dollar Tree on separate occasions. Sometimes I would go to Michael's and Marshall's, but only when necessary. I would also go to the buffet if I'm craving a huge lunch and TGI Friday's if I'm craving a good dinner or a drink with my friend. It's really great to have all those places in one spot within close proximity for those who lived close-by. Today, there were more empty spaces in the strip mall compared to long ago. It would be nice if interesting stores fill up those spaces someday. Also, prepare for the possibility of parking far away from the store that you really want to go to, especially on weekends. This is usually the case with Kohl's at times, in which the parking lot in front of the store would be so filled that you would either have to wait for a spot to open up or simply park in another part of the strip mall and walk far out. Sometimes, Shop-Rite is like that too, but again, this occurs more often with Kohl's. The close proximity of the places that I usually patronize here make me a fan!

It was a fun and easy time between shopping And a place to enjoy both…read more My girl friend and I decided to give TGIF a shot. We were welcomed right off the bat. Andre was working the bar and tables. He was un intrepid when it came down to our order. A spot on for a long Island ice tea and a sprite. Took 2 minutes. The food order was right behind no fooling around. The burgers came out as were ordered. Mine was rare. A good place to grab lunch while shopping.

I've been shopping at this Old Navy for around 5 years now. It's in a great location in Gilette…read morecalled Valley Mall. This Old Navy has seen some major changes. For one the checkout counters have been totally revamped and moved from being vertical to horizontal. I noticed there's only 2 people that check out the customers.

This store has seen better days. It was much better run and organized in the early 2000s. Anyone…read moreremember when they had the blue pickup truck display in the middle of the store? Came in here recently and and the racks were a total mess. No organization of the sizes whatsoever and the selection was minimal. It was impossible to find what you wanted and the only few workers were at the checkout. Sadly, it's a sign of the times and a changing of demographics of the local area. Just another example of the issues happening in this country now.

What a disappointing experience…read more I visited this location because I happened to be in the area.. I didn't realize that I was going to walk into a very disorganized and understaffed situation. I didn't have a lot of time to begin with, but I didn't expect to wait in line for at least 20 mins to get rung up. First off, you could barely get through the aisles as they were so tight and things were all over the place. They also had very limited items. When I asked for a spray bottle, I was lead to something that was nowhere near what I needed. When I finally got whatever items I could find, there were only about 3 parties in front of me, but we waited FOREVER for that line to move. It seemed to be taking forever for each person to check out. They were allowing questions from people who were not waiting in line, which further delayed our time to get serviced. When the person in front of me walked to one of the cashiers, she very rudely asked the customer if her light was on, the customer said no, she said "that's what I thought, I'm closed". Wow! When I got to my cashier, she was pleasant but had trouble ringing up a gift card, which further delayed me getting out of there. I'm not sure what is going on in this location, but I am always at the one in East Brunswick, and the experiences are night and day. Very frustrating!

Not a store I really patronize, and I'm not entirely comfortable awarding a 5-star rating based on…read moremy 1 transaction, but...realistically...I went in for something, came out with that something, still had money (well..some money...) in my pocket, and so...why not 5 stars? I'm not entirely unfamiliar with this place. My birth mother has liked shopping at Home Goods (not this 1; she lives in Bergen County) and my old friend has occasionally shopped at Home Goods (this 1; he lives locally) with me tagging along as a vaguely interested spectator. The Valley Mall Shopping Center is one I come to rarely now, but I do have something of a history with it. Back in the day, I bought donuts at the Dunkin Donuts (open 24 hours), shopped nocturnally at Pathmark when that existed, then at Kings diurnally when that existed. There was also a book chain store (the name escapes me now, but it wasn't Borders and it wasn't Barnes & Noble) that I shopped in occasionally. Now they're gone (except for the Dunkin), and the parking lot seemed very empty to me when I pulled in. Empty stores, largely empty parking lot. Maybe it was the time of day. Thankfully, the Home Goods seemed to be thriving. What brought me here by myself? Well, I haven't had a lot of luck with tea kettles. One I bought at Wal Mart lasted for a few years. The most recent one I bought on Amazon crapped out after a year or 2 of use. Given my coffee addiction and my Luddite-like insistence on not buying a Keurig, a functioning, old-fashioned, whistling tea kettle is indispensable to me. I didn't feel like venturing out to Wal Mart, or ordering again from Amazon, so Home Goods came to mind. Close to where I live, and I've always liked the vibe when I walked around it occasionally with my old friend (in Gillette) or with my birth mother (in north Jersey). So... here I came a few days ago. I hadn't previously realized just how crammed with stuff Home Goods actually is. I asked a salesclerk where tea kettles were, and she pointed me in the right direction. Still, I couldn't find one and asked another salesclerk, busy stocking shelves, where they were. She pointed out 2 on a nearby shelf. I found a Chantal-brand aqua-green colored one (enamel on steel) and asked her how much it cost. A little less friendly this time, she pointed to the bottom of the tea kettle. I half imagined her saying to herself, "I'm busy shocking shelves for not much money, and now I have to answer this dope's questions? What next? How to brew his tea? Should he drink green tea or Chai? How many cups of coffee a day are too many? Does he want me to hold his hand and walk him with it up to the check-out counter?" (Such ruminations led me to remember an incident from decades ago when I was working in Piscataway. There was a crotchety middle-aged janitor there with sparse red hair and even fewer teeth. The boss walked past him and absently asked, "What's going on, Mike?" When he had passed, Mike turned to me with an angry look on his ugly, grizzled mug, and remarked, "Y'know, pal, that really pisses me off! I push a bucket around for a living; what do I know about what's going on? He's either mocking me when he asks me that, or he's even dumber than I am!" It was a rare memory that actually made me laugh instead of depressing me...Anyway, back on topic...) Actually, I'm pretty sure the salesclerk was thinking to herself more along the lines of, "OK, I get off in 5 hours...what am I having for dinner? Frozen fish sticks and peas? Yeah...washed down with a bottle or 2...or a few...of beer. Another exciting night, after another exciting day! What a life!" Or maybe she was thinking of something completely different. Or thinking of nothing at all beyond doing her job. I took the tea kettle to the check-out counter, where you line up and then approach the cashier after your number is flashed onto a screen above whichever cash register has opened. The line wasn't at all long, and service was prompt and friendly. When I started to walk out with the tea kettle in my hand, the cashier gave me a paper bag to carry it out in without my asking. It was a small paper bag, but it served its purpose. They also had a Halloween display out, something I always pay attention to (not that I'm immature, necessarily; it just means my "inner child" still exists down there somewhere in the detritus of the passing years and decades). I briefly considered buying a snow globe that had 1 skeleton proposing marriage to another skeleton, then realized I still had to fill my car's tank with gas and purchase some groceries. I guess that signifies...maturity? Plentiful parking, and... given that the store is located towards the end of the shopping center by the exit...easy egress. I don't necessarily see myself as a regular patron (hopefully my tea kettle will continue to function beyond a year or 2), but for your basic household needs...based on my admittedly limited experience...Home Goods is highly recommended.

Hadn't been here in quite some time but then as soon as I experienced the employees, I suddenly…read moreremembered the ptsd from this place. Employees are extremely rude, unhelpful and highly defensive while claiming they added a discount when they clearly didn't. I wanted to buy a pair of boots for my daughter. I asked for 2 sizes. Employee was clearly annoyed I asked. She looked them up said size 9 was available but 10 wasn't. I said I don't see the 9. She just turned around and walked away. Then when I went to go checkout. The cashier already looked annoyed without a greeting. Ran up my items quickly and didn't apply the coupon and proceeded to cash me out. I asked if she scanned the coupon but she responded in the most aggressive and disrespectful way saying, "you listen you me I did it first!" Then proceeded to be seriously heinous in her follow up. Honestly, I should've just returned everything. I will NEVER return to this Kohls again. Honestly, throw all your employees in the garbage with their horrible attitudes.

The woman working customer service today, 9/4, was very rude. Ironic that they call where SHE works…read more"customer service". I hope no one has to return anything at this location.

Well, my normal pharmacy was out of my medication so I went back here to get my prescriptions…read moreyesterday. They did a great job they filled it. I actually forgot I overpaid last time I was here. Until they rang me up and it was five dollars per prescription like I pay at my other pharmacies and I ask them why it now is the correct place and last time I overpaid by $36 plus. They looked at me like I was crazy and no one cared still do not recommend this pharmacy. How can they charge you $46 a month earlier for two prescriptions and then $10 the next time and plead ignorance. It's a shame that no one cares about their jobs anymore especially here at this CVS.

The pharmacy is a nightmare; takes forever. Always under staffed and nobody seems motivated.read more

Lovely owners and really cute pretty shop with great selections. They even have plus sizes which…read moremost thrift and consignment shops don't offer

Great selection of classy clothing and accessories. Why pay department store prices for inferior…read morequality? Put this place on your To-Do list...you will be the belle of the ball after shopping here!