School Supplies: Thinking Outside of the Big Box

Savvy Patch Facebook readers know there is more than one place to buy colored-ink pens, three-ring binders and stylish pocketed folders.

Here are some local merchants Patch readers recommended Wednesday for unique or well-priced school supplies. 

• The Scroll & Pen Bookstore on Brookdale Community College campus, Lincroft,  In addition to the usual, also carries high end art and photography supplies.
• Ink.Papery of Fair Haven, 803 River Road, Fair Haven. (Formerly Sea Bright). Pretty pencils, fine writing papers. 
• Pauline's Paperie, 775 River Road, Fair Haven. Anna Griffin file folders, Aurora pens from Italy. 
• River Road Books, 759 River Road, Fair Haven. Cute Dr. Seuss character giant eraser pencils, e-reader cases based on classic books. 
• Laird Stationery, 594 River Road, Fair Haven. Cool erasers in shape of flip phones and donuts, "Decomposition books" made from recycled materials
• Little Silver Family Pharmacy, 10 Church St. Little Silver

• Shoprite of Middletown, Hazlet along Route 35
• Dollar General, 175 Locust Ave, West Long Branch
• Dollar Tree (multiple locations)
• Walgreens (multiple locations)

Judi Fox Hernandez told her fellow Matawan-Aberdeen Patch shoppers that she shops the sales before the silly season starts. "..keep your receipt with the items than return what you don't need. That's what I always did."