Exploring the Abandoned Liberty Village Shopping Outlets in Flemington, NJ

[@post-leftluddite]

I grew up in the area and I always thought that liberty village would make an awesome place to live, like if all the buildings were turned into apartments....it'd be like living in a late 1700s town with the brick foot paths, the pond in the central court yard, no car traffic....I think it'd be cool

[@RayOutThere]

That would be cool!

[@MultiCreditKIng]

Depends on who runs the apartment too. My last apartment that I lived at had stray cats, renters throwing trash everywhere, but the garbage bins, and "Property Managers" not having time to do anything.

[@lindagoreham2238]

I absolutely love this place! I t would be a great photo backdrop for colonial setting. I hope they save some of it.

[@ghoulsandthings]

So sad to see it in such rough shape I grew up going there with family just to walk around and store hop the atmosphere was so inviting and such a family oriented place. We may just have to pay a little visit back there before they tear it down :(

[@RayOutThere]

Yeah check it out!

[@michaelimbesi2314]

It’s really sad to see a place with such good urban form get run into the ground like that.

[@Tranquility32]

Each time I’ve visited over the past I don’t know how many years, there were less and less stores open. Makes me sad. I remember the days when you couldn’t easily find parking on a Saturday or Sunday. Thank you for this video!

[@paytonk01]

I went to this outlet in 2017 and I think that was the only time I’ve ever been. I could tell that it wasn’t gonna be much longer, then I passed by it a couple of months ago and it was dead, probably like 1 store there. Honestly sad to see it go, it really did seem like such an inviting place back in its prime time

[@leonb2637]

I recall driving in the area about a year ago and seeing how it had gone to seed. Recent news reports say it is going to be largely torn down and mostly replaced with townhomes and other structures. Before Liberty Village, in the 1970's, there were outlet stores mainly of makers of dinnerware and pottery items, a once thriving industry in the town.

[@s.b.7924]

Flemington has been miss managed for well over 45 years. As one who has ancestral ties going back to before s Samuel Fleming, I've seen it go down hill. Turntable Junction was the first outlet back in the 60's. It was great then. I moved out of Flemington several years ago because of the poor management of the town.

[@3uro183]

meh its ok. kinda boring but as a kid there's enough. its safe and friendly so that's a plus

[@wickedwest89]

No retail apocalypse…instead a greedy businessman purchasing malls that were waning in popularity, let them fall in disrepair until the last remaining shops have to give up, no renovation plans just waiting with the plan of demolishing it then selling property for a large sum of money. This same owner owns Phillipsburg Mall…with same intent! He basically destroyed these hubs of activity in the communities of Flemington, and Phillipsburg respectively. So much potential for something other than housing - shameful that the towns allowed Namdar to do this!!! Why are doors unlocked? Why were no parts of the stores, architecture, etc sold?

[@lawerencestimpson2280]

Wow.Can recall going here with my wife.We took the train ride from Ringos.Yes it is a shame!!

[@LVKing9]

Chef store was Le Creuset, I remember doing Christmas shopping for years here. Used to be a very classy larger than life place. Thinking back to the early 2000s, I remember the farmhouse in the middle being a sort of information center/museum for the Flemington area- clearly a vestige of the farm that used to sit on that formerly rural land, maybe dating back to the late 1700s as much of that area was settled by the Dutch in that time. Also clearly remember those plastic 50-cent kids' rides- they were all over. Most of all, I remember my last visit not too long ago, maybe 2017, many years after I shopped there as a kid, and hearing the same 1980s-era orchestral Muzak piped through the courtyard loudspeakers, even in the wings that were totally abandoned. It was, and in this video still appears as, a place that stayed stuck in its late-20th-century heyday, never adapting until the last store closed. Thanks for capturing this before it's inevitably torn down for the new affordable housing units.

[@RayOutThere]

Thank you for watching!

[@danielgoulding4623]

I used to live about 4 miles away in the late 70's til the late 80's . It was a really charming area to shop . There was an actual locomotive turntable here ( no longer functional ) hence it used to be called Liberty Village and turntable junction . A bunch of outlet stores opened after it's heyday .

[@RayOutThere]

The turntable is still there. There's a few open shops in that part. The Liberty Village part is going to be torn down for housing.

[@Melissa0774]

@@RayOutThere Is that the pottery store?

[@labellabeach631]

So odd it fell to shambles considering Peddlers Village is still doing well right over the PA border not far from Flemington. I worked in Liberty Village when it was the it place to shop and on weekends you would have to fight for parking! Corning outlet , Calvin Klein and Tahari . I really don’t understand how all those brands are still doing so well they had shops there I bet you were led to the demise was online shopping and Amazon. I guess that makes sense now. So sad though my childhood is now vanishing LOL

[@user-iamRobinV68]

Awww so sad. Used to be sooooo fun. Good job Ray 👍

[@RayOutThere]

Thank you! It was so cool when it was flourishing.

[@eclipsetoys6551]

I agree Below would make cool apartments, went to school at Central class of 87 was always a cool place even had a small railroad hobby shop I would frequent and I think the train would come through.

[@gracemir2]

This mall must’ve been really nice. Buildings look pretty and nice even after closure

[@gingerm1441]

I loved going there in the 60’s (and 70’s?) they had a great nut shop. It was a lot of fun to walk around. Wish we took pics back then.

[@beyond_civilization]

What a place! Looks like the reviews are spot on. 😂 Thanks for the fascinating tour. 👍🏼

[@RayOutThere]

Yeah it's pretty sad there! Thanks for watching

[@HaydenHero]

Last time I went was in 2018 and maybe half the stores were empty. This is just crazy to me that it’s all gone now. Grew up going here 2-3 times a year for new clothes and shoes.

[@post-leftluddite]

me too, bunch of friends worked there in the late 90s and early 2000s

[@brucekalter4206]

I read recently that there was a proposal for the entire property to be redeveloped into residential (plus w/ some commercial) area. The town needs it. I think it's in the works for the next several years. Can't believe you can actually go into all these abandoned stores!

[@RayOutThere]

Yes, I think it's being redeveloped into housing

[@annealbaugh919]

Year that really made me stop and wonder as well crazy the doors are opened , what an invite for people that mite cause problems homeless or kids causing trouble !

[@annealbaugh919]

I remember the place from years ago !

[@Martgaming192]

😢 my aunt would take me here everyday this was my childhood this made me shed a tear 🥲

[@brokenglass849]

My first visit to Flemington dates back to the 1960s. Liberty Village didn't exit yet, there was only Turntable Junction. Stangl Pottery was still in operation then. This place seemed to have reached its peak around the time Fitz & Floyd opened their new and larger store in Liberty Village. The store didn't stay open for a very long time, and soon after it closed, a very slow and steady decline of the whole complex ensued.

[@samanthab1923]

Remember ads for Flemington Furs

[@brokenglass849]

@@samanthab1923 Yes! But not until you reminded me.

[@marcellocolona4980]

Remembered the steam train ride of the Black River & Western RR from Ringoes. There was a Dickinson’s Witch Hazel facility there at Turntable Junction.

[@brokenglass849]

@@marcellocolona4980 I wish I had more memories then I do, but I was very young when I went there for the first time. I don't remember the train or Dickinson's unfortunately.

[@sagittarius3363]

In Turntable Junction, there was a row of shops called the Clickety Clack Depot next to the railroad tracks. There was a great candy store there. Back in the 1970's I think.

[@rl8429]

I also find it interesting that just about an hour away from Liberty Village, there's Gloucester Premium Outlets which opened pretty recent.

[@samanthab1923]

Really? Surprised. They have that other one in Jackson NJ near Great Adventure

[@colisto]

Lived in Flemington for years, I came here quite often. Used to service the burglar/fire alarm systems for some of the various stores. Moved away years ago, sorry to see it in such sad a shape. The ADT security stickers on the windows and doors were mine.

[@RayOutThere]

That's pretty cool! This place is slated for demolition. The town is working to revitalize the area

[@deborahpugh4578]

They had the best Le Creuset outlet. Never found anything to compare. I miss it.

[@amypyonteck5542]

I grew up in Ringoes NJ and went here as a kid. There were nice restaurants and ice cream shops and stores were filled completely!! Now there is only I think Tommy Hilfiger and Carter's. I think. There used to be a China buffet where now there is another restaurant. So what stores are left? I thought Tommy Hilfiger was there still by the railroad tracks by the bus parking lot

[@RayOutThere]

Tommy Hilfiger is one of the stores I went into in this video. The stores by the train are Timberland and Ralph Lauren. But they're probably closing soon

[@samanthab1923]

Last ones are Brooks Bros. & Anne Taylor Loft.

[@lightnin273]

Such a shame. I used to hang out there a lot with my friends in the early 80s.

[@jonathanm7442]

Polo was open until not long ago. Supposedly their utilities were separate from the main center. Nearby is an excursion railroad, microbrewery, and other artisanal type places. The center will become apartments / condos / mixed use once the plans get finalized.

[@kiernanthomas6006]

Every time I go to Peddler's Village in Lahaska Pa. I think, 'Why can't new Jersey do something like this?" It's so charming and get's lots of buisness.

[@deborahpugh4578]

NJ has Smithville. Also charming with shops and restaurants.

[@jenniferrinaldi8808]

As of March 2023, all of the stores are closed and demolition will start in a few months. There will be townhomes, low income housing, a park, two group homes and a town hall in its place.

[@TheGlamSimmer]

I remember going there in 2006 it was super nice and believe there was a train.

[@RayOutThere]

I think the train is still there at a nearby stop

[@samanthab1923]

Train is still there. Santa rides Fri. & Sat. 🎅🚂

[@mysotiras21]

Very interesting, but not what I was seeking. When I was a kid in the early 1970s, my mom would take the family over to Flemington for a day of shopping. There was a place outside the town, filled with small, charming boutique shops, scattered across rolling green hills. I have been trying to track down what that place was called and what happened to it for decades now. There were a few boutiques that we loved as kids; the only one whose name I recall was the "Paper Tiger". Does that ring a bell for anyone? For my siblings and me, "Flemington" meant that bucolic little village of specialty shops. Precious memories. If any reader can give me more info on that, please post a reply!

[@MrMikebutkus]

Somewhere I have photos of this place in the 80s, the busses from NY and CT (before they opened their own) and the driving around and around for a parking space. I remember going to the coffee shop they had there, maybe 7+ years ago. What's going to happen to the train... ? I made a webpage on this in Summer 2016

[@NaomisAdventures]

That's sad. Looked like it was nice at one time. Crazy that some doors are unlocked

[@RayOutThere]

Yeah I couldn't believe it!

[@zakeemsworld6619]

Hi Ray I used to work in Liberty village in the Bucks country winery back in 1981-1984 . It was the place to go back then but even though it was outlets it still seemed somewhat higher priced. I knew it was semi in a bad way but I never imagined it was so abandoned. I haven't been there in years. I also worked in Raffles in turn table junction across the street. In 1884 1985. Is this asabandoned as L VILLAGE.?

[@RayOutThere]

I think they'res still a few places open in Turntable Junction

[@richlaue]

I've only been here a few times, and only for work. (last visit 2020) To me it looked like at one time was a fun place to shop. Always wanted to go back when free, just to look around.

[@davidbross6942]

I grew up near Frenchtown in the late 50s to early 70s. My friends and I rode our bikes to Flemington a lot.Route 12 wasn't as busy then. At that time Flemington Furs, Flemington Cut Glass and IORIO's (My parents always said it was pronounced Ten R Ten!!) were the big draw. I remember craftsmen cutting designs into various glassware. I am pretty sure I moved away (college and then work) before Liberty Village came in .

[@ChopSkullNYC]

Really enjoyed this. It's so sad to see a place like this abandoned. Have you been to Olde Lafayette Village lately? They were supposed to renovate but last I was there it looked pretty empty.

[@RayOutThere]

Glad you enjoyed it. I have not heard of that one, I will have to look into it.

[@thegrassguy2871]

@@RayOutThere Looked it up, pretty sure that's in North Carolina, near Raleigh.

[@stphinkle]

Seems like a lot of Ray Out There content is filmed in east coast states NJ, NY, and PA. I like a lot of your abandoned sites and other content. They really show a lot of history and how the culture of things have changed over time. I also wondered if you were based in one of these states. I am not trying to invade privacy but I was curious because a lot of the videos were filmed in the east coast states.

[@RayOutThere]

Yes, I am based out of NJ and I make trips to PA and NY when I can.

[@mascara1777]

I vaguely remember going here on shopping trips in the early 90's. My parents had heard about it, it was supposed to be a "big deal."

[@RayOutThere]

Back then it was a really nice place to shop. Crazy to see it now

[@GraceTerrellforever99]

Sad, I remember going there when I was young, it was a really nice shopping center at one point. I believe it has shut down since their website has been taken down. I actually know someone who worked their in the late mid or late 2010s she said it was depression and actually felt unsafe.

[@RayOutThere]

I had friends who worked here in the mid 00's, back when it was only starting to decline

[@DuffyLONER64]

I just looked it up (I live right near Flemington), and apparently there's a redevelopment plan? Don't know much about that, but if true, that's exciting. Not to get too political, but I was there a few months ago to meet a candidate running for NJ governor, and he basically echoed some of the reviews. It's unbelievable how much of a ghost town this became, all due to the failed economy. It's an absolute shame. I have pretty vivid memories about the outlet when I was younger. I hope something can happen soon.

[@RayOutThere]

I don't know what it's going to be, but it is being redeveloped for sure. I'm glad I captured it

[@DuffyLONER64]

@@RayOutThere Update, my dad told me apartments are going in their place? I don't know how true that is, but it would be a real damn shame if indeed true.

[@DuffyLONER64]

@@RayOutThere Another update, unfortunately it will be replaced with a housing complex... So sad!

[@RayOutThere]

@@DuffyLONER64 That's what I kinda expected to happen. At least it will be used for something

[@wickedwest89]

If you mean candidate Ciatarelli…yeah he’s wrong. Namdar (property owners) would love everyone to think it’s due to retail decline, but not so! Drive 30 mins down the road to Ciatarelli’s hometown (Bridgewater Raritan area) and you’ll see a high end mall that’s doing just fine.

[@thevoiceman6192]

Very cool video. I wonder if the landlords are taking a hit leaving the lights on and buildings empty. I am surprised someone has not bought it and turned into condos and townhouses. I am surprised photographers, video artists and filmmakers are not filming there.

[@RayOutThere]

Thank you! This place is going to be demolished and replaced with housing in the near future

[@karissaexplainsitallxo]

Great video! It amazes me that they left all of the doors open! Crazy.

[@RayOutThere]

Yeah I couldn't believe it

[@IcePenguin19]

I completely forgot about this place. My parents and I would go there all the time, it's so sad and also kind of creepy seeing it like that now. Watching your videos makes me think about how different things will be in 5-10 years from now. I often think about what I should spend time documenting so that I can look back on it someday. I recently saw a picture of a Gameboy Color display at a Toys R Us from the 90s or 00s and it made me think about the random stuff that we currently take for granted. I think I'll take more pictures and videos of things from now on. Have you checked out Peddler's Village in New Hope, PA?

[@RayOutThere]

I have not, but I will in the future. Its so strange to try and find pictures of things in the past. Back then pictures and video were much more difficult and people didn't use them for mundane things like shopping.

[@IcePenguin19]

@@RayOutThere Exactly, I think I'll start taking more pictures and videos. What kind of camera do you recommend? I don't have a lot of extra income but I'd like to save up for one. I don't know much about them or what to look for, any help is appreciated

[@RayOutThere]

@@IcePenguin19 I'm not a camera expert by any means but I will tell you what I've been using. My old videos I filmed on a GoPro 8, and I still use that to film inside malls. I now use a Canon G7x II which is sort of the standard for KZbin vlogs. But I also recommend just trying out your phone. Most phone cameras are great, mine takes better still photos than my cameras do.

[@IcePenguin19]

@@RayOutThere Thank you so much! I just got the iPhone 12 Pro Max so I'll play around with that a bit and see how it goes :)

[@samanthab1923]

Getting just as bad. The Outlet side at least

[@donnarie101291]

wow, i remember going there as a kid with my grandparents in the 60's. if i remember correctly we would even take a very short ride on the railroad... so sad..i hope they do something with it...

[@RayOutThere]

I know the town is planning on doing something with it but I don't know what

[@joshscores3360]

I thought it wasn't opened until the 80s.

[@steves3938]

I was there today.. security said 7 out of 50 stores open.. there’s a store that sells drones that seems to have opened not too long ago

[@RayOutThere]

I wonder how much longer those places will be open

[@stphinkle]

Those could be repurposed. That might be a candidate to turn into residential housing. Conversion to a restaurant district with some tourist shops might be another possibility. Offices might also work for conversion

[@RayOutThere]

I think the current plan is to demo this place and build new housing

[@CoolCatProductions-365]

I can’t imagine filming this place at night. It must feel like a horror movie I would assume.

[@RayOutThere]

You just gave me a great idea

[@Melissa2087]

You need to check out American Treasure Tour in Norristown, PA .. about an hour and a half from Central Nj. It would make a great video and it is a SUPER interesting place

[@RayOutThere]

That sounds really cool, I had not heard of that place. I will have to go check that out. Thanks for the tip!

[@bunnyyuki6784]

the mall did change owners before or during 2022. unfortunately they didn't care and let it fall into more disrepair a lot of roof damage and leaks when it rained. and added a few "discount stores". a lot of stores just gave up and left the mall. there was also a lot of theft because of them leaving and having so few amount of stores open or how few people were there but now its closed and the plan is to have townhomes here instead. its sad because my first job was in that mall. sad to see it go ;-;

[@samnept7480]

Walmart - Costco - dollar store - Burlington came down there and I saw This place falling appart,,,some store move in intersection of12, 31,....well!

[@nancyprivate6774]

Is Peddlers Village across the way still open?

[@RayOutThere]

There are a few shops and restaurants open there

[@mis4nthr0p3]

Peddlers Village is in Lahaska PA.

[@nancyprivate6774]

Thank you@@mis4nthr0p3

[@clarkerots9348]

Wow...what happened there??? I believe there was a Burlington Coat Factory within the village that seemed to be there forever.

[@RayOutThere]

The town has plans to redevelop it into something else. I think they're waiting for the leases to be up on the few places still open

[@samanthab1923]

Burlington is still in Flemington. Over on Rt. 202 & Church St.

[@peteschmidt4642]

Years ago Murray Hill Square in New providence , NJ was like Liberty Village. For whatever reason ,it went under. Somebody turned the stores into condos.They could do the same at Liberty Village. Just spitballing........would help revitalize the area.......

[@RayOutThere]

I believe they plan on turning this one into condos as well.

[@wickedwest89]

Flemington area is already congested, plenty of apartments, condos, housing. The high schools are already overflowing (North and Hunterdon Central). More housing is not the answer here or at the owner’s other property in Phillipsburg NJ….disservice to the communities.

[@thegrassguy2871]

Did Murray Hill Square preserve the old retail buildings, or raze them and build up again? If the former (and I think it's the former), what sets Murray Hill Square apart from Liberty Village is that the latter is slated to be demolished and replaced by big apartment buildings.

[@peteschmidt4642]

@@thegrassguy2871 At that time all buildings were preserved at Murray Hill Square and turned into condos. It was pretty cool.

[@StantonsJourneys]

Definitely something out of and end of days type movie, wow this place is in rough shape, poor bert with a cone on his head. Reminds me of an Outlet mall around me that a friend took me to.(Video coming soon.)So sad to be honest.

[@RayOutThere]

It was really apocalyptic. I'm looking forward to your video!

[@StantonsJourneys]

@@RayOutThere thank you and comes out on the 30th

[@dougow3061]

use to go there all the time sad what happened

[@janetprendergast4760]

Very odd that these places were not locked. It's almost like the owners are hoping for the place to be burned down or something - to collect insurance. But maybe that's me just being suspicious.

[@RayOutThere]

Its being redeveloped, so I think they just don't care

[@wickedwest89]

Yup!

[@LKA-si7ln]

Were there any actual open stores? Brooks Brothers?

[@samanthab1923]

Yup, BB & Anne Taylor

[@mis4nthr0p3]

The place that's "Unsafe for human occupancy" was the Van Heusen store. 9:30

[@Stacie45]

4:40 That ride is a definite NOPE. Does remind me of the movie Alien. Scary.

[@WhittyPics]

What is open? I didn't see anything open.. I think Heritage USA in Fort Mill SC looked that bad before they tore it down.

[@RayOutThere]

I think I ignored the two or three open stores in this video. This place is about to be torn down and replaced with housing

[@dane5896]

I would get great deals at the LL Bean store.

[@Thecorgially]

Probably apt. bldgs. or homes.

[@carlbogner898]

went from an outlet area then kept increasing prices and became just a regular priced stores.

[@dianemiller3081]

Its a shame to see these buildings in such A state. Just thinking. That these buildings can be turned into apartments or a motel.

[@bhhardgr01]

Strange that the lights are on

[@stephenzorochin2361]

Ray double back and check out the new Bruce Springsteen sculpture in Princeton and tell me what you think of the blue boxer

[@RayOutThere]

So good to hear from you! I'll definitely head back to Princeton to see it. And I love the blue boxer too, is it still in Lambertville?

[@samanthab1923]

@@RayOutThereBaggage Car?

[@paytonk01]

9:50 I had no idea they had a playground there

[@slackingpacking]

Cool video. Hopefully I can explore this place sometime.

[@RayOutThere]

Yeah check it out if you're ever in Jersey

[@Kajiggger]

Sad thing is they could take this location and turn it into a cool condo village.

[@clanarisen6586]

last thing that town needs LMAO

[@RayOutThere]

That is actually what's going to happen here

[@post-leftluddite]

When I was a teenager going there I always thought it would be cool to live in the buildings exactly as they were, it'd be like living in a late 1700s town

[@butteheadbuttrack4728]

Worked in the 1990s at Rockport shoes.

[@samanthab1923]

Loved Bass shoes

[@annealbaugh919]

Really sad .... and yet they tear down areas to build new retail shops why not take some of the abandoned ones a redo ?!

[@RayOutThere]

These are going to be torn down for apartments

[@pgfranks]

It looked like Ann Taylor is open. If so, I would like to talk to employees

[@amypyonteck5542]

What's left? I heard they were going to make it a retirement village

[@RayOutThere]

Its going to be redeveloped soon, but I don't know what it will be.

[@robertfarrington5156]

@@RayOutThere multiple affordable housing

[@samanthab1923]

Vet housing

[@KongGig]

Seems you have uppdated your video rig :)

[@RayOutThere]

Canon G7X. Much better in low light. I still use the GoPro for when I need to film inconspicuously.

[@couchpotato7862]

sad

[@ClarkTheShark]

They closed? Oh no!

[@annettecuellar127]

I use to go here.what happened

[@rl8429]

You think Woodbury Commons contributed to the decline of this outlet?

[@RayOutThere]

Probably not, I think Woodbury attracts mostly the NY-NJ metro area crowd. I think this place just wasn't attracting much business from the nearby area

[@rl8429]

@@RayOutThere That's a good reason. The population around northwestern jersey is pretty low; maybe Liberty Village would have a better shot if they were closer to a city. Personally, I thought that since Woodbury kept expanding, tourists would go there over Flemington.

[@RayOutThere]

@@rl8429 True, I don't see many tourists heading to Flemington for any reason

[@sarahsambucini7271]

Covid killed it.. wearing my tin foil hat happily, blessings to all.

[@RayOutThere]

Sorry, but this place was dead long before Covid

[@robertfarrington5156]

Somebody needs to throw a match on this place!

[@gingeraleisraycyst815]

All honesty it turned into a dump. The property lost value and now at an estimated 4 million. The actual area and surrounding are safe as Flemington has always been such given its out in the countryside

[@G35rojo]

I live in flemington

[@samanthab1923]

Get ready for more residents 2024!

[@nocturnalme3549]

Place was always crappy and not that great of stores. Aside from the Timberland outlet the had overpriced outlets. They could never figure out how to keep it running smoothly. The whole town is like that, overpriced real estate with crappy shopping stores. Ok food but that's about it..guess people in the area really got carried away with their egos, there nothing to do social wise either no bars or great restaurants to speak of. Used to be a decent rural area, now because of out of state yuppies it's just lost it's appeal. Worth a short trip and then never go back

[@maryduska]

Theirs nothing their

[@annealbaugh919]

🤢

[@handytbutler7380]

everyone keeps shopping online and its killing stores. soon it will be the only way you can get anything and you will have to wait weeks to get it...worst thing that can happen to society