Ever tried navigating the Route 70 corridor on a Saturday morning in July? It’s a special kind of chaos. Between the tourists heading toward Point Pleasant and locals just trying to get a bag of mulch, the parking lot at Lowe's Home Improvement Brick NJ becomes a microcosm of Ocean County life.
Honestly, it's more than just a place to buy a 2x4.
For the people living in Brick, Toms River, and Point Boro, this specific store—officially Store #1535 located at 520 Route 70—is a tactical headquarters for surviving life near the water. Salt air eats everything. Your grill? Rusted in two seasons. That "weather-resistant" deck chair? It’s currently in pieces. You’ve probably spent more time in the hardware aisle here than in your own living room.
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The Route 70 Reality
Let’s get the basics out of the way. The store sits right on Route 70, which is basically the central nervous system of Brick Township. It opens its doors at 6 am every day except Sunday, when it lets everyone sleep in until 7 am. Usually, they shut things down by 9 pm.
If you're a "Pro"—the guys with the dusty white pickups and the coffee cups that haven't been washed since 2022—you’re there at dawn. If you're a DIYer who just realized your kitchen sink is leaking at 8:45 pm, you’re the one sprinting through the sliding glass doors as the associates are starting to lock up. We've all been that person. It's okay.
What Actually Happens at the Brick NJ Garden Center
If you want to see the real drama, head to the Garden Center.
In Brick, gardening isn't just a hobby; it’s a battle against sandy soil and deer that think your hostas are an all-you-can-eat buffet. The Garden Center here is massive, and it's where most of the town spends their April and May.
Wait.
Don't just go and grab the first pallet of mulch you see. The "MyLowe’s Rewards" program is actually worth the 30 seconds it takes to sign up because, let’s be real, you’re going to be back four more times before the weekend is over.
One thing people often overlook? The clearance rack in the back of the outdoor nursery. You can find "ugly" perennials that just need a little water and some Jersey Shore sun to bounce back, usually for like three bucks. It's a steal.
The Weird History of Store #1535
Every local store has its lore. For Lowe's Home Improvement Brick NJ, the weirdest story involves a massive $258,000 fraud scheme that made headlines a few years back. A local couple allegedly found a "glitch" in the website and turned their Brick home into a literal warehouse of stolen goods—we’re talking grills, gazebos, and even thousands of dollars worth of Victoria's Secret underwear.
When the police raided the house on Harding Drive, it looked more like a distribution center than a residence. It’s one of those "only in Jersey" stories that people still talk about when they’re standing in the returns line.
Speaking of the returns line...
Survival Tips for the Brick Lowe's Experience
If you're heading to the 520 Route 70 location, you need a game plan.
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- Avoid the Lunch Rush: Between 11 am and 2 pm, the "Pro" desk is swamped, and the DIYers are out in full force. Go early or go late.
- The Tool Rental Hack: Not many people realize this location has a robust tool rental department. Why buy a power auger for a one-time fence project when you can just rent one for four hours and let it be someone else's storage problem?
- Aisle 1 is Your Friend: That’s usually where the seasonal stuff and the "oops" paint is. If you aren't picky about the exact shade of "Eggshell White," you can save a fortune on mistixed cans.
- Check the App: The Brick store is big. Like, really big. Use the app to find exactly which bay your lightbulbs are in so you don't spend twenty minutes wandering around the plumbing section looking lost.
Why It Matters to Brick
Lowe's isn't just a corporate giant here; it's a part of the recovery cycle. Every time a Nor'easter blows through or a hurricane threat looms, this is where the plywood and generators disappear from first. The staff here has seen it all. They've dealt with the post-Sandy rebuilds and the "I tried to fix my own electrical" disasters.
There's a sense of community in the aisles. You'll see your kid's soccer coach in the lighting department or your neighbor debating between different shades of gray siding.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re planning a project in Brick this week, here is how to actually get it done without losing your mind:
- Inventory Check: Use the Lowe’s app and set your "My Store" to the Brick location. Don't trust the general "in stock" notice—check the specific aisle and bin number before you leave the house.
- Pro Desk Strategy: If you have a massive project, don't just wander. Head to the Pro Desk at the far end of the store. Even if you aren't a contractor, they can sometimes help with bulk pricing or specialized deliveries that the regular registers can't handle.
- Local Weather Check: Remember, we’re in Ocean County. If there’s even a hint of a storm, the line for salt or shovels will be out the door. Stock up on the "survival" basics (batteries, flashlights, sump pump checks) during the off-season.
- Measure Twice: This is a cliche for a reason. Don't be the guy returning a 10-foot piece of PVC because it's two inches too short. The Brick return line is long enough as it is.
Get in, get your hardware, and get back to the beach. That’s the Brick way.