DUI Lawyers in Hampton, NJ

DIY enthusiasts will finally be able to unleash their inner creativity with Sussex County's first Michaels store slated to open this year.

The nation's largest specialty retailer of arts and crafts is taking over the space left vacant after the 2020 closure of Bed Bath & Beyond in the Hampton Plaza, at 21 Hampton House Rd., Hampton.

The 13,366-square-foot store is undergoing renovations to bring the crafts store to "life," said Rachel Petersen, head of corporate and product communications at Michaels.

The store is expected to open later this year with a soft opening planned in the coming months, Peterson said.

The move comes nearly two years after the community grieved the loss of Sussex County's only Bed Bath & Beyond, which announced its closing just weeks after crafts retailer A.C. Moore, located just two doors down. A.C. Moore joined the growing death of America's retail stores when its parent company, Nicole Crafts, announced in 2019 that they were closing all 145 of its stores, stating in a release that it was “very difficult for us to operate and compete on a national level.”

Rumors had taken hold that Michaels would soon replace the space left vacant by A.C. Moore in the plaza, since Michaels' then-CEO Mark Cosby announced plans to take over leases for up to 40 store locations. But the chatter was quelled when USA Wine Traders Club, a New Jersey-based discount beer, wine and liquor store, opened there in 2021.

Michaels is now hiring for full- and part-time positions for the store.

Michaels has 34 locations in New Jersey, with four in Morris County, three in Passaic and Bergen counties and one in Hudson County. The retailer operates more than1,200 locations across the United States and Canada and offers arts, crafts, framing, floral and wall décor, and merchandise for makers and do-it-yourself home decorators. The company pulled in $5.27 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2021, an increase from 2020's $5.07 billion.

Michaels joins a growing list of retailers moving into spaces left vacant in the Hampton Plaza, including Harbor Freight, a national chain of hardware and tool stores, which opened in May 2019 in a space once occupied by sporting goods store Modell's.

Lori Comstock can be reached on Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH, on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LoriComstockNJH or by phone: 973-383-1194.

According to several sources, one of the most infamous personalities of the last century may have found his resting place just outside of Bucks County.

Aleister Crowley, dubbed by many publications as “The Wickedest Man in the World”, was an English author and occultist, who founded the spiritual philosophy/religion of Thelema back in the early 1900s. To some, he was an evil character who practiced black magic and other troublesome occult activities. To others, he was a prophet of a new way of life, leading mankind into a new realm of spirituality and self-development.

Given his reputation, it would be easy to assume that his remains can be found in a regal tomb in his native England, decorated with occult imagery and maybe even some Ancient Egyptian calligraphy, as he was very influenced by the myths and religion of the long-gone civilization. But, like so many other things in life, that would be too good to be true.

According to several sources, including the books “A Magick Life: A Biography of Aleister Crowley” by Martin Booth and “Aleister Crowley: Magick, Rock and Roll, and the Wickedest Man in the World” by Gary Lachman, Crowley’s remains, having been cremated after his death in late 1947, were given to his associate Karl Germer, who took them back to his estate in Hampton, New Jersey, about a half-hour outside of Bucks County.

It was here where, according to biographers and those who knew Germer, the occultist’s ashes were either buried in or scattered atop Germer’s garden. Another source says that Germer’s wife, Sascha, scattered the ashes around a tree on the property.

The private property, where the ashes were allegedly scattered, sits near the Musconetcong River.

Regardless of the the public’s opinion of him, he was an influential figure in his day and after. Many attribute his teachings to the rise of new age beliefs and religions, as well as the counterculture revolution of the 1960s.

To many, his phrase “Do What Thou Wilt” became a philosophical statement for individual freedom, and the top musicians of the counterculture found him to be a fascinating figure; his ominous face can be seen in the top-lefthand corner of the cover of the Beatle’s “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and his signature phrase was engraved into early pressings of Led Zeppelin’s third album, as guitarist Jimmy Page had an avid interest in the occultist’s works.

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Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on BUCKSCO Today in May 2023.

Get ready for burgers and a big bag of steaming hot fries, because Sussex County's first Five Guys franchise is coming in hot.

The Hampton Township Planning Board unanimously approved site plans on June 20 to convert a one-story retail building at 10 Route 206 (Hampton House Road) into mixed use, with several tenants signed on, including Five Guys, a fast-casual chain known for its burgers and fries, as well as Aspen Dental, a full-service dental provider.

Verizon Wireless is the only business occupying the current building, which is located on a 2 ½ acre tract of land owned by Stephen and Eric Martin. The store will stay through the transition, but will shift spots and relocate as the middle retailer of the newly converted building. Five Guys will be located in the left space and Aspen Dental will occupy the right side space. A fourth spot for a restaurant, retail or professional space, which will be located behind the dental office in the rear of the building, is not yet occupied, said Charles Dietz, a managing member of The Dietz Partnership, a design firm in Parsippany. The firm has taken on some of the largest retail projects across North Jersey, including The Shops at Ledgewood Commons.

While the 12,515-square-foot building will remain, it will undergo a renovation to create a more aesthetic appearance, with a new red brick veneer, cast and cultured stone, new awnings, and gooseneck light fixtures and wall sconces, according to the site application. Other modifications include the addition of a pylon sign covered in brick and stone, LED lighting, an increase to 72 parking spots, landscaping and spots for electric vehicle charging. The current access drives into and out of the site will remain.

The building's plans appear to echo the aesthetics of the newly renovated façades of the PetSmart, HomeGoods and Marshalls shops located in the Sussex County Mall on the south side of Route 206. Several properties located on Route 206 in Hampton, and some on the border in Newton, are owned or partially owned by members of the Martin family.

A small single-story building and a drainage area on either side of the 10 Route 206 property will not change, but there will be a minor lot line adjustment to ensure enough space for a drive aisle and parking spaces, according to the plans.

The current building, which is a prime location for retail shops in Sussex County that has expanded enormously over the years, was once occupied by Harmon Face Values, which closed in February 2023. The Verizon Wireless was once an iconic Blockbuster video store.

Five Guys began in the Washington, D.C. area in 1986 and has grown to over 1,800 locations worldwide, according to their website. The popular burger chain, which touts itself as having more than 250,000 different burger combinations, has 51 locations in New Jersey, although none in Sussex County. The closest location to Newton is on Route 10 in Roxbury and at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall, both in Morris County.

Aspen Dental has over 1,000 locations nationwide and 16 practices in New Jersey. The provider offers a wide range of services, including aligners, dentures, dental implants, emergency dental care, checkups and general dental services, according to its website. The closest location to Newton is in Hackettstown in Warren County.

It was not immediately clear when construction on the building will be complete, although the property has seen a lot of activity over the weeks, with workers on-site Wednesday morning. Dietz, who designed the building's façade, did not respond to several requests for comment, nor did a spokesperson for Five Guys.

Hampton, NJ (May 24, 2025) – A two-vehicle accident with injury occurred on Friday, May 23, at approximately 1:00 PM near 100 Main St in Hampton. The crash also resulted in a utility pole being knocked down.

Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, and assisted those who were injured. Although no patients were transported, the incident caused significant disruption, including damage to a utility pole, which had to be addressed by local utilities.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, including whether factors like distracted driving, road conditions, or driver error may have contributed to the collision. Traffic was temporarily affected as responders worked to clear the area, and drivers were urged to avoid the intersection until the scene was fully cleared.

Our thoughts are with those involved in this incident, and we are thankful that no serious injuries were reported. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

Accidents in Hampton and Intersection Safety

Accidents like this one at 100 Main St serve as reminders of the risks at intersections, where vehicles are required to stop, turn, or merge with other traffic. The presence of damaged utility poles also highlights the potential for additional hazards following a collision.

For those involved in accidents, seeking medical attention is always recommended, even if injuries appear minor. Internal injuries or soft tissue damage may not be immediately visible but can cause long-term complications without treatment. Victims should document the scene, gather witness information, and consult with legal professionals to help navigate insurance claims or any potential legal proceedings.

Even in the absence of significant physical injury, many victims experience emotional distress, anxiety, or PTSD after an accident. Seeking counseling or mental health support can be an important part of the recovery process.

For more information or to receive help after an accident, contact Local Accident Reports.

Note: These posts are created solely for the use of Local Accident Reports. We have not verified the information in these posts as the information is gathered from secondary sources. If you have personal knowledge that the information contained in these posts is inaccurate, please contact Local Accident Reports immediately so we can make the necessary corrections or remove the story.

Disclaimer: We are providing this information to the general public as a resource to use in the event you or a family member are injured in a similar incident. Every effort is put forth to honor the victims of accidents, and hope the information presented helps others avoid the same type of accidents in the future. The photos depicted in these posts are not representative of the actual accident scene. Please contact Local Accident Reports at (888) 657-1460 to be connected with an attorney in your area who will answer any legal questions you may have.