It was the thatched roof. That weird, whimsical, pseudo-European cottage vibe sitting right on the edge of the asphalt chaos that is Route 17 North. If you grew up in Bergen County or spent your Saturday mornings dodging aggressive lane-changers in Paramus, the Christmas Tree Shop Paramus NJ wasn't just a store. Honestly, it was a landmark. You knew exactly where you were when you saw that building. It served as a beacon for anyone hunting for a $5 outdoor rug, a strangely specific set of pumpkin-shaped pasta bowls, or a 12-pack of sparkling cider that you definitely didn't need but bought anyway.
Then, things got quiet.
The retail landscape in New Jersey is notoriously brutal. We’ve seen the rise and fall of giants, but the departure of Christmas Tree Shops—officially rebranded as "CTS" near the end—hit differently. It wasn't just about the inventory. It was about the ritual of the hunt. People didn't go there because they had a specific list; they went there to see what the "Bargain River" had decided to wash ashore that week.
The Rise of the Paramus Shopping Powerhouse
Paramus is basically the retail capital of the universe. Or at least, it feels that way when you're stuck in traffic between the Garden State Plaza and the Fashion Center. The Christmas Tree Shop Paramus NJ location was strategically positioned to capture the overflow of suburban shoppers looking for a deal that the high-end malls couldn't provide. Unlike the sterile environment of a luxury department store, CTS felt like a treasure hunt. It was messy. It was crowded. It was glorious.
The business model was brilliant in its simplicity. They bought overstock. They bought closeouts. They sold stuff that made you say, "I have no idea where I'd put a three-foot-tall ceramic gnome, but for nine dollars, I'll find a way." This "treasure hunt" experience is something that retail experts, like those at Burt Flickinger's Strategic Resource Group, often cite as the reason why certain brick-and-mortar stores survived the initial Amazon onslaught. You can't replicate the feeling of finding a hidden gem in a clearance bin through a smartphone screen.
📖 Related: Bates Nut Farm Woods Valley Road Valley Center CA: Why Everyone Still Goes After 100 Years
What Went Wrong? The Bankruptcy Reality
You’ve probably heard the rumors, but the facts are a bit more corporate and dry. In May 2023, the parent company, Christmas Tree Shops, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Initially, the plan was to keep the best-performing stores open. Fans in New Jersey held their breath. There was hope that the Christmas Tree Shop Paramus NJ location, given its high-traffic corridor, might make the cut.
It didn't.
By July 2023, the filing shifted from reorganization to total liquidation. The company had defaulted on a $45 million loan. Suddenly, the "Every Season, Every Reason" slogan felt a little heavy. The Paramus location began its final "Going Out of Business" sales, and for a few weeks, the parking lot was more packed than it had been in years. It’s a strange irony of retail: everyone shows up for the funeral.
- The debt load became unsustainable after the company was sold by Bed Bath & Beyond to Handil Holdings in 2020.
- Inflation hit the "bargain" sector hard, as shipping costs for those cheap imported goods skyrocketed.
- Consumer habits shifted away from "disposable" seasonal decor toward more intentional, long-lasting purchases.
Life After the Thatched Roof
What happens to a massive retail space in Paramus once the glitter settles? The property at 300 Route 17 North is prime real estate. In Bergen County, land is gold. We've seen a massive shift in how these big-box spaces are repurposed. Sometimes they become gyms; sometimes they become high-end grocery stores like Wegmans or Amazon Fresh.
👉 See also: Why T. Pepin’s Hospitality Centre Still Dominates the Tampa Event Scene
The loss of the Christmas Tree Shop Paramus NJ left a hole in the "discount-tainment" market. While stores like HomeGoods and Big Lots try to fill the void, they don't quite have that specific, quirky DNA that CTS possessed. There was something about the specific smell of the Paramus store—a mix of scented candles, potpourri, and new rugs—that stayed with you.
Why Paramus Shoppers Are Different
If you live in North Jersey, you know the Blue Laws. Paramus is famous (or infamous) for being closed on Sundays. This means that a store like the Christmas Tree Shop Paramus NJ had to make its entire weekly revenue in six days instead of seven. That creates a specific kind of intensity. Saturday shoppers in Paramus are on a mission. They are caffeinated, they are focused, and they are not there to play games.
The CTS experience in Paramus was a microcosm of this culture. It was where you went to get your patio furniture in April and your wrapping paper in October. The sheer volume of merchandise that moved through that Route 17 location was staggering. Experts in the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) often point to Paramus as a bellwether for national retail health. When a staple like CTS closes there, it’s a signal that the middle-market discount model is under extreme pressure.
The Nostalgia Factor
Kinda crazy to think about, but people genuinely miss the chaos. I’ve talked to locals who miss the specific frustration of trying to turn back onto Route 17 after a successful haul. It was a shared experience. You’d see your neighbors in the aisle debating whether they needed another set of Adirondack chairs.
✨ Don't miss: Human DNA Found in Hot Dogs: What Really Happened and Why You Shouldn’t Panic
There's a psychological element to "bargain hunting" that brands today are struggling to recreate. We see it in the "middle aisle" at Aldi or the seasonal section at Target, but it feels more curated now. More corporate. The Christmas Tree Shop Paramus NJ felt a bit more like a wild west of retail. You never knew if you’d find a high-end coffee maker that fell off a truck or a literal ton of salt water taffy.
Navigating the Current Discount Landscape in Bergen County
So, where do you go now? If you're still chasing that high, you've got options, but you have to be strategic.
- HomeGoods (Paramus/Maywood): Better for furniture and high-end decor, but lacks the weird, cheap "utility" items CTS had.
- Ocean State Job Lot: Probably the closest spiritual successor. They have several locations in Jersey, though none directly in the old Paramus CTS spot. They do the same closeout-style buying.
- Five Below: Great for the "cheap thrills," but obviously geared toward a younger demographic. You aren't finding a dining room hutch there.
- Big Lots: They've had their own financial struggles lately, but they still offer that broad mix of food, furniture, and seasonal items.
The Future of Route 17 Retail
The closure of the Christmas Tree Shop Paramus NJ isn't the end of the story for Route 17; it's just a transition. Retail isn't dying; it's just shedding its skin. We are seeing more "experiential" locations popping up. Think indoor golf, high-end eateries, and showrooms. The days of massive warehouses filled with $2 trinkets might be fading, replaced by stores that offer things you can't just order on your phone while lying in bed.
The building itself—that iconic cottage—is a reminder of a specific era of New Jersey shopping. It was an era before every store looked like a grey box. It was an era where a store could be a little bit ugly and a little bit confusing, and we loved it anyway.
Actionable Steps for Former CTS Shoppers
If you’re still feeling the loss of your favorite bargain haunt, here is how you should pivot your shopping strategy in the current North Jersey market:
- Track Liquidation Specialists: Follow companies like Hilco Merchant Resources. They are often the ones handling the "Going Out of Business" sales for major chains. If you liked the CTS vibe, you'll find similar deals at other liquidations.
- Monitor Local Zoning: Keep an eye on the Paramus Planning Board meetings. This is where you’ll find out exactly what is replacing the old CTS. Knowing what’s coming helps you find new "anchors" for your shopping trips.
- Use Reverse Image Search: Found a piece of decor you loved at CTS years ago and want more? Take a photo and use Google Lens. Many of those "exclusive" items were actually just white-labeled products available under different names at other discount retailers.
- Visit the "Fringe" Stores: Don't just stick to the Paramus malls. Head out toward Totowa or Fairfield. The rent is lower there, which means the stores can afford to carry the weird, bulky, low-margin inventory that CTS used to specialize in.
The Christmas Tree Shop Paramus NJ might be gone, but the spirit of the Jersey bargain hunter is very much alive. You just have to know where to look. Stop waiting for the thatched roof to return and start exploring the new wave of discount retailers hitting the corridor. Just remember: if you see something you like on Route 17, buy it now. It definitely won't be there when you come back next Saturday.