The first floor aisles overflow with items from years past. It’s as close as it gets to stepping back in time. The upstairs space, however, is upscale and airy and includes recent works by local artists.

“We love to have people come through. There is so much to see here,” says Tomato Factory owner MaryAnn Browning. “It is a wonderful place to shop for gifts that are a little unusual. We have some new things and lots of old things. People these days prefer interiors that include an eclectic mix.”

Browning and her husband Maurice purchased and renovated the building in 1962 to accommodate their shower curtain business. It was later converted into the antique and design center it is today.

How did it end up with a name like The Tomato Factory? Easy, Browning says. “The building dates back to 1892 and used to be a tomato cannery. Even though it ceased to operate as a cannery around the end of the Second World War, everyone still referred to it as the tomato factory.” 

Getting married? The Tomato Factory has a bridal registry where couples can create a wish list of items or styles that appeal to them, says Browning. “This allows wedding guests to purchase unforgettable one-of-kind gifts." 

"Imagine being able to register for a Venetian chandelier, a French antique chair covered in new leopard fabric or an original painting to hang over the fireplace,” says Linda Sciarra, who runs “Umbrella” in an upstairs loft in partnership with her sister-in-law, artist Fay Sciarra. “And we encourage gift sharing, where friends and family can pool their money and give the couple a big ticket item.” 

The Tomato Factory is located at 2 Somerset Street in Hopewell. It is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on major holidays. 

For more information, call 609-466-9833.