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(These files are kind of large.  Don't click on a thumbnail unless you want its map.  If you hold your cursor over a thumbnail, the alt.text should display with the map name.)

Here's a map of Middlesex County, the area I'm writing about on this page:

map.jpg (333242 bytes)

I thought about the best way to present this material and decided it would be easiest to break the stores down by routes.  If you're close to I-287, you have access to rtes 1/18, 27, 22, 35 and a couple others.  My local runs break down easiest into 3 main routes: rte 18 through East Brunswick, rte 1 from North Brunswick (Wal-mart) through the rte 35 intersection where Avenel is, and rte 22 from Bridgewater Commons to the Union TRU.  

1.  Rte 22:
- TRU in Watchung
- Kmart in Dunellen - like any other Kmart never has anything that's not damaged or ancient.
- Bridgewater Commons Shopping Mall - 1 KayBee, usually well stocked with older items. 
- Target in Union - if you go this far north, you may as well stop by the TRU on Morris Ave.

2.  Before I get to the other main routes, here's a map of my immediate area, South Plainfield.  It's about the halfway point between Avenel and South Brunswick:

Stelton.jpg (212394 bytes)

This area is accessible through I-287 (exit 5), or through local roads off 22.  Here we have:
- KB Toyworks on Stelton Road - IMHO very very bad in terms of scalpers.  I once walked in while a whole team of them was packing a full-sized van with bags and bags of new stuff.  Someone I took for the head scalper was talking to an employee, who (I think!) was telling her which items to keep for him.  I stay away from here unless I'm looking for the KB exclusives or discounted items.  Plus their prices are on the high end.  But this is just my opinion. 
- Walmart on Centennial Road - good selection of LEGO, Hasbro, and a few choices for 21st.  Prices are competitive with Target.
- Down the road from Wally World is Kmart - what can I say?  It's Kmart

3. Rte 1

Most people are already familiar with Woodbridge and Avenel, so here's just a detail map of Menlo and Target:

Menlo

- Avenel Hobbies in Colonia (rte 35 off rte 1) - if you aren't already, ask the store owner to get on his local customers Dragon delivery phone list.  Basically, they call you up when their Dragon figure shipment comes in and you get first shot before they're put on the shelves!  It's a free service from some nice folks.  I went here semi-regularly before the Dragon figures came out for my wood-ship building supplies (cheaper sometimes than mail order).  Unfortunately, their prices have started to creep up above retail lately, especially on 21st century items, which are priced as if they're Dragons.  Even the Dragons are no longer a buy here.  Their carded accessories are typically $15, the Full Gear figures are $42-$45, although the Germans still seem to be holding at retail, $35.  Too bad about their price going up, plus they are about a month or so behind the on-line guys with what MPI sends them.  They really are a nice bunch of folks, though.  
- Woodbridge Mall - 2 KayBees.  The one upstairs always looks like a train ran through it.  Both are average for a KayBee.  Many Joeheads come here because it's opposite the TRU, so it's either feast or famine, depending on your timing.  I still haven't figured out their delivery schedule so I still rely on luck.  Prices are on the typical KayBee high end.
- TRU in Iselin (but we always just call it Woodbridge) - for the same reason as the Woodbridge KB's, timing is everything.  They usually have a Monday delivery, but don't put stuff out until Tuesday.  Same for Friday/Saturday-Sunday.
- Menlo Park Mall - 1 KayBee (same as Woodbridge KayBees), and 1 FAO Schwarz.  FAO - they usually get the new stuff before everyone else and are pretty well-stocked, but probably because of the horrendous pricing.
- Target opposite Menlo Mall on Parsonage Rd - the best prices on Hasbro and 21st, but usually their stock is horrible.  I guess it's the timing thing again.  
- Walmart in North Brunswick on rte 1 south (a bit south of the 130 intersection - no map, but it's about 2 miles further south of the rte 18 intersection, in the same strip mall as the Babies R Us) - They never seem to have anything here, anyway, though.  I've had better luck at the Piscataway Walmart

Rte 18:

Some detail maps:

rte 18 Brunswick Square Mall Milltown Target

- TRU in East Brunswick (rte 18 south) - much like the TRU in Woodbridge in terms of scheduling and releases.  If anything, Woodbridge seems slightly ahead of this one.  But that means if Woodbridge sells out, you still get a chance here.
- Rte 18 Market in East Brunswick (rte 18 north) - a little further south from TRU is this weekend only flea market.  There are 2 collectible toy vendors in here who carry GI Joe, 21st and Dragon.  One also carries a good selection of Cotswold.  Both are on the high end of prices, but for most items not unreasonably so (my yardstick are the Dragons - $45 for the Germans).  Like most scalpers, they seem to get all the new stuff first.  If you can't wait, you can try here.  Also, keep in mind that if you pay in cash, neither charges sales tax, so it isn't that bad if you need the new stuff right away.  Make sure you check your figures before you leave their store, though, since returning them might be tough. 
- another mile or so south and you will cross Milltown Road.  If you want to go to Target, you can take this road to Ryder Lane where the Milltown Target is.  Basically, it's right between rtes 1 and 18 on Ryder Lane.  This Target is like the one in Edison, though.  They're behind the Edison store in terms of schedule and usually don't have much in stock.
- if you continue on rte 18 south, you'll hit the Brunswick Square Mall (with Macy's and JC Penney's as anchor stores), right after yet another Kmart.  The only toy store in the mall is a KayBee, but I've found stuff here when other KayBee's have disappointed.  

There are places further east (Freehold, and Red Bank) and a toy expo held regularly down south in Cherry Hill (Flyer territory!  I don't go there unless I have to :-p), but I don't want to fry your brain with info overload.  Just one more thing, there's a Dragon store I found that is pretty decent.  It's called The Outer Limits in Clifton (exit 154 on the northbound GSP, half a mile down to your right).  All their figures excluding the Adventure and nude figures ($20-$30) are flat-priced at $40.  They also carry a very good selection of 21st, Hasbro Action Man, and a smattering of GI Joe.  Also, lots and lots of import toys. 

I'm sorry I don't have much knowledge of places west of Middlesex, but if you go exploring, I'd like to hear of them.  I'm an adventurous sort.  Also, there are some scalpers with storefronts I haven't listed but if you come across a decent place around here not listed it probably means I haven't been there yet, so DROP ME A LINE about those too!  I'd appreciate it.  

Binky  :-)