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Jersey Gardens Shoe Shopping Guide: Best Stores, Zero Tax & Real Deals

Emily ReynoldsBy • Shopping Guides • 5 minutes of reading
Shoes sale event at The Mills at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, NJ

Last Updated: March 30th, 2026

Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, NJ is one of the best places to buy shoes in the entire New York metro area — and it’s not even close. With 15+ dedicated footwear stores under one roof, zero sales tax on all footwear in New Jersey, and outlet pricing on top of that, the savings on a serious shoe shopping run here are genuinely hard to match anywhere else within driving distance of Manhattan.

Why Jersey Gardens Is a Shoe Shopper’s Dream

Two things make Jersey Gardens exceptional for footwear. First, New Jersey charges zero sales tax on shoes — no minimum, no categories, no exceptions. Every pair of shoes you buy at Jersey Gardens is tax-free. In New York City that same pair would cost you 8.875% more. On a $200 pair of sneakers, that’s $17.75 straight back in your pocket.

Second, Jersey Gardens is an outlet mall — which means the base prices at the footwear stores are already 30–65% below full retail. Combine outlet pricing with zero tax and you’re looking at savings that rival anything you’d find at a traditional retail sale.

The Best Shoe Stores at Jersey Gardens

Here’s a rundown of the key footwear destinations at The Mills at Jersey Gardens:

  • Nike Factory Store — One of the strongest Nike outlets in the region. Running shoes, lifestyle sneakers, Air Force 1s, and Jordans at factory prices. Stock rotates frequently, so it’s worth visiting regularly.
  • Adidas Outlet — Strong selection of Adidas running, training, and lifestyle shoes. The NMD, Ultraboost, and Stan Smith lines typically appear here at outlet prices.
  • Steve Madden — One of the best reasons to visit for women’s fashion footwear. Boots, heels, sandals, and sneakers at outlet prices, with frequent in-store sales layered on top.
  • UGG — Classic UGG boots and the brand’s expanded shoe and sandal line. Best visited in late summer or early fall for the best selection before the winter stock sells down.
  • Skechers — Full range of Skechers footwear for men, women, and kids at outlet prices. One of the best family-footwear options in the mall.
  • Converse — Chuck Taylors, All Stars, and the brand’s current seasonal styles at outlet pricing. A go-to for kids and teens.
  • Aldo Outlet — Fashion footwear for men and women at outlet prices. Strong on dressy and semi-casual styles.
  • Naturalizer / Nine West — Comfortable women’s shoes, dress footwear, and boots at discounted prices. Good for professional and everyday wear.
  • Under Armour — Athletic footwear and apparel, including running shoes and training sneakers. Good complement to the Nike and Adidas outlets.

The Coupon Booklet: Don’t Skip This Step

When you arrive at Jersey Gardens, head directly to the information desk near the main entrance. There’s a coupon booklet available — $5 for most visitors, but free if you show an international passport — and if you’re visiting from abroad, our International Visitors Guide shows exactly how much you save vs. buying at home, plus customs tips. The booklet contains 20–30% discount vouchers for multiple stores, including several shoe retailers. We’ve found this single step regularly adds $20–40 in additional savings on a shoe-focused visit.

Additionally, many individual stores have their own loyalty apps or text-message coupons. At Steve Madden, UGG, and Skechers in particular, asking a staff member about current promotions — even if nothing is visible at the front — often surfaces an extra discount.

When to Visit for the Best Selection

Timing matters at outlet malls. Here’s what we’ve found works best at Jersey Gardens for shoe shopping:

  • Weekday mornings (Tuesday through Thursday, before noon) are the least crowded. Dressing rooms are available immediately, staff are attentive, and the best sizes haven’t been picked over.
  • End of season is when the deepest discounts appear — late January for winter footwear and late July for summer styles. An already-discounted outlet boot at 60% off retail is remarkable value.
  • Avoid weekend afternoons in summer and around the holidays. The mall — especially the food court and main corridors — gets genuinely packed, which makes the shoe shopping experience significantly less enjoyable.

Getting to Jersey Gardens

The Mills at Jersey Gardens is located in Elizabeth, NJ — minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport. Transportation options include:

  • From Newark Airport (EWR): Free shuttle from Terminal B, every 30 minutes. The ride takes about 10 minutes and drops you directly at the mall entrance. Cost: $9 round trip.
  • From Manhattan: NJ Transit Route 111 from Port Authority — see our NJ Transit bus guide for exact schedules, or consider a shopping tour or VIP transport for a guided trip. The standard NJ Transit bus from Port Authority (42nd St). The #111 or #112 bus gets you there in 25–35 minutes.
  • By car: NJ Turnpike Exit 13, then Route 1&9 North. Free parking throughout the property.

The Bottom Line on Savings

Here’s a realistic shoe shopping scenario to illustrate the savings. Say you’re buying two pairs of sneakers at $120 and $90, and a pair of boots at $180. Total retail value: $390.

  • Outlet pricing (avg. 40% off): $234
  • NJ tax savings vs. NYC (8.875%): $20.77 saved
  • Coupon booklet (20% off at one store): additional ~$24 saved
  • Effective total vs. full retail in NYC: $189 vs. $431

That’s a realistic picture of what a shoe-focused day at Jersey Gardens looks like. The savings are real, and they compound when you stack the tools available to you. See the full NJ tax-free shopping guide and the complete NJ outlet mall guide to plan your visit.

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