In a tightly-knit community like Hoboken, shopping locally and supporting family-run businesses is what keeps our favorite spots afloat. With the convenience of online shopping and the accessibility of large e-commerce corporations, it is tempting not to buy everything online or from a chain store.

However, there is no denying the personal touch that you receive when you enter a store that is run by a family — and several generations at that. Plus, the more you know about a company’s backstory and how the business came together, the more emotionally invested you become.