In General, This Teaneck Store Has What You Need

This isn't what you might envision as a general store.

After all, Cedar Lane isn't a quiet, countryside road, and there's no small country town feel here. This is a main road with heavy traffic and in a busy downtown.

Still, if you enter the front doors of Teaneck General Store, a few things are bound to happen. You'll drink something healthy, eat something healthy, maybe buy something nice – and maybe walk out with a lesson in Teaneck history.

Teaneck General Store Owner Bruce Prince is proud of his town of 32 years. Put a blindfold on him and tell him to point you anywhere in town; he'll do it. Ask him a question about Teaneck and he's quick to answer.

 "I used to own Embroideries Unlimited, and I wanted to try this and sell items," he said. Teaneck General Store opened last October. "I wanted to change venues, and the town didn't have this type  of store, and it's right in the center of the main shopping district.

"People," said Prince, "love it."

It's hard not to love a diverse town like Teaneck, and it's real difficult flaw finding with Prince and his establishment. His idea "meets the needs of the community," and that's exactly the way he likes it. "We're unique, different."

He owns with his wife, Stacy Lieberman Prince. "We're very happy with it ," she says of their first year in business. "It's exceeded our predictions. The addition of coffee bar brought in a lot more people. The coffee bar helps out gift shop and vice versa. One helps diversify the other. We're very pleased. We're constantly increasing inventory, and the menu and events. All has evolved."

Teaneck General Store is a community store, in more ways than one. It sells appropriately priced gifts bearing the Teaneck name like hats, shirts and more, and also offers items produced by local artisans  like jewelry, artwork, apparel, greeting cards and books. The shop also carries items made under the eye and care of Trans Fair or Fair Trade, an organization that works with developing nations that guarantee fair and healthy work practices, no child labor and production of sustainable items.

Hungry? You'll eat healthy here – the fare is vegetarian -- and aid the environment. Organic fair trade coffee and teas are enjoyed, as are Kosher drinks and food. Wraps, sandwiches, pastries, muffins and bagels are available, as are a variety of special beverages. 

The store offers more than Teaneck-branded apparel, knick-knacks and healthy snacks.

Book signings, poetry readings, and musical performances by are held weekly at the shop. Events will resume on Thursday in October, and will also start taking place on Saturdays as well. Upcoming are an open mic poetry reading on October 9, guitartistvocalist Stene Kelman on October 14, the popular local Cumberland Band on October 16, and Comedy Night on the 21st. The store also features artwork by three local artists for three weeks in conjunction with the Teaneck Festival of the Arts. All event information can be found on the Teaneck General Stote website, http://teaneckgeneralstore.com/teaneckblog/.

The Teaneck General Store has to be lived to be experienced to enjoy. "This town has a real glue to it," said Prince, "and we are here to serve the community."

Bruce Prince and Teaneck General Store indeed do so.

Teaneck General Store hours:

Monday: Wednesday 11 am - 7 pm
Thursday: 11 am - 8 pm
Friday: 11 am - 3 pm 
Closed Saturday
Sunday: 11 am - 6 pm