I went to the Hamptons TJ Maxx where celebrities like Amber Heard shop – Insider

On a recent trip to the Hamptons, I found that there are some hyped-up hot spots that aren’t worth the visit.
But unlike a bakery with just-OK pastries or bars with hours-long lines, this celebrity-favorite discount retail store is a not-so-hidden gem.
Actor Amber Heard was spotted shopping at the store on June 16, and in a previous interview with Insider, reality star Jill Zarin called it “Saks Fifth Avenue in the Hamptons.”
While I disagree with Zarin’s comparison to Saks, I do think it’s a great spot for bargain hunting. 
The discount store is located in the Bridgehampton Commons shopping center off of Montauk Highway. 
TJ Maxx sits next to its sister store Marshalls, an AT&T store, and a Walgreens. 
After I walked in through the large shared entrance of TJ Maxx and Marshalls, I stepped into the former.
The 23,987-square-foot space felt open and organized with signage hanging from the ceiling and items neatly packed onto shelves. 
I’m used to seeing Kate Spade and Michael Kors bags inside TJ Maxx stores, but there was also a variety of Moschino and Longchamp bags on the shelves. 
One Love Moschino bag was on sale for $100 at the store while similar bags from the same collection were selling for around $300 on the brand’s website at the time of writing.
I was impressed with how organized the store’s beauty section was. It was around three retail islands big, which is sizeable but not huge in comparison to the bag section. 
TJ Maxx was also selling Gaiam brand yoga mats for $9.99, which are currently listed at $25 on the brand’s website. 
I was impressed with the variety in this section of the store. There were different sizes, styles, and brands of suitcases as well as travel bags and neck pillows. 
I saw a Calpak eight-piece set (called the Starter Bundle online) on sale for $260 — it retails for $545 on the brand’s website.  
From phone cases to wallets to bags and fanny packs, there was a colorful array of Gucci accessories in this glass case. I couldn’t just pick anything up to look at though — I would have had to enlist the help of a salesperson to unlock the door. But I was able to squat down and contort my body in such a way that I was able to read some of the hidden price tags. 
The red fanny pack I saw was selling for $599 (it’s currently priced between $700 and $1,000 on resale sites, as it is an older style) and one of the phone cases was priced at $130 (the same one is currently listed on eBay for $50). 
As I made my way to the section called The Runway, I first saw all the shoes on display. 
There were Golden Goose sneakers priced at $400 (they are currently listed on the brand’s website for $575) and Chloé sandals that were further discounted to $199 from $350 (they were originally priced at $650 on Farfetch).
Looking at this shoe rack, I could see why locals and celebrities shop here. 
This looked more like the shoe section I’m used to seeing in a TJ Maxx. It was pretty void of designer labels, but there were lots of sizes and styles to choose from. 
This was the busiest section of the store during my visit. 
I watched as people sifted through the racks trying to find something special. It was smaller than I had expected it to be after hearing that this is a go-to celebrity spot. 
This pair of Frame jeans had a retail tag marked at $250 and a TJ Maxx tag indicating a sales price of $70.
This was the messiest section of the store, but it’s hard to fit so many large bags on such a small table. 
The handbags were secured to the store’s property with security tags so that no one could just pick one up and walk out with it. 
Another accessories case was next to this table. This one had Alexander McQueen wallets, Moschino belts, and a Balmain cosmetics case. 
The center of the retail floor was filled with more basic clothing items for those shoppers who don’t care to spend the sometimes still-high prices on designer goods. 
From kids’ clothing to activewear, there was a lot to choose from. 
There was plenty to buy for children as well. 
TJ Maxx was selling colorful backpacks, stuffed animals, games, sports clothing, and gifts for newborns, too.
The beauty of TJ Maxx-type stores is that you can get a lot of shopping done at once. 
You could stop by to check out the designer deals and then pick up any needed pots, fake plants, snacks, gym bags, or even dog beds. 
At the end of the day, this is still TJ Maxx, and you can’t possibly forget that even when you’re sifting through racks of BCBG and Gucci.
There are signs all over the place reminding you of the discounts to be had here, which can be comforting when you’re in a town where coffee and a bagel can cost more than a three-pair set of Calvin Klein underwear (the set was $11). 
I think that at the time of my visit, the store had more to offer by way of designer accessories than clothing. But it was still a lot more than what I’ve seen in other locations that also stock high-end goods. 
While I didn’t think it was anything ultra-fabulous, I think it’s the kind of place that, if I lived nearby, I’d stop in every week or so to see if there are any enticing deals. 
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