9/1/2018 - Cugini closed, Halloween Is Coming, another Fitness Studio - Retail Updates and Photos from Around Town
Halloween City vs Spirit Halloween
Halloween City is owned by Party City - every year they open between 250 and 300 stores from late August through early November. Party City also recently announced that with the demise of Toys R Us, they will be opening approximately 50 'Toy City' stores, along side Halloween City. Stores will carry both Halloween and Toy merchandise until after Halloween, when they will convert to Toy City. However, the Marlton location is not on the list of stores which will convert to a 'Toy City' at this time.
Mission BBQ
There hasn't been a lot of progress on the Mission BBQ site so I have no updated pictures, but as I was driving by, I happened to notice this sign:
I recalled that during a previous Planning Board meeting for the proposed Royal Farms next to the Marlton 8, it was noted that there was arsenic found on the site and remediation may be needed. This was presumed to be due to the orchards that used to be at location, since arsenic was used in pesticides during farming.
Since the Mission BBQ was right across the street, I wondered whether the same issue was occurring. A search of the state Department of Environmental Protection revealed soil contamination due to pesticides.
Starbucks
Last month, Spirit Halloween opened at the old Borders on Route 73. This week, Halloween City raised a banner at Greentree Square (Whole Foods Shopping Center), located at the former Pet Supplies Plus (which prior to that was a Rite Aid and and Eckerd Drugs.). No word on when it will be opening, but I expect it will be shortly.
Halloween City is owned by Party City - every year they open between 250 and 300 stores from late August through early November. Party City also recently announced that with the demise of Toys R Us, they will be opening approximately 50 'Toy City' stores, along side Halloween City. Stores will carry both Halloween and Toy merchandise until after Halloween, when they will convert to Toy City. However, the Marlton location is not on the list of stores which will convert to a 'Toy City' at this time.
Spirit Halloween is opened by Spencer's.
While researching these stores I did notice one difference between the two stores, which may affect your shopping: the return policy. At Halloween City, "All sales at Halloween City retail stores are final. Halloween City will not accept returns of any merchandise."
Spirit Halloween's return policy is a bit more generous: "You have until October 20th, 2017 to make any returns or exchanges ...After October 20th, 2017, all sales become final." Please review the policy on both websites for more information.
Sprouts
Construction at Sprouts continues. The entire front brick facade is gone, and only a temporary wall remains. The interior walls inside of Burlington Coat Factory still are not completed, so there is not two separate interiors yet.
I found myself wondering how the size of the new Sprouts compares to some comparable stores in town.
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| Burlington Coat Factory to the left, future Sprouts to the right |
I found myself wondering how the size of the new Sprouts compares to some comparable stores in town.
Sprouts: 33,246 sq ft
Trader Joes: 12,500 sq ft
Whole Foods 35-40,000 sq ft
Rastelli's: 36,000 sq ft
Shop Rite 73,843 sq ft
Whole Foods is an estimate based on this site plan from the leasing agent. I'm guessing the Whole Foods is approximately 4 times the size of the Pet Supplies Plus location, which is listed on the plan as 8,820 square feet.
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| Size comparison, Whole Foods to the left compared to the orange storefront which is 8,820 square feet |
So Sprouts will be comparable in size to the Rastelli's and Whole Foods, though my guess it will carry less product, based on its open floor plan design. (See my prior blog post about that open design.)
Sprouts is also opening a location in Philadelphia on September 19th.
Sprouts is also opening a location in Philadelphia on September 19th.
Meetinghouse Square
The refacing continues. Here is the most current shot, and I have compiled a time lapse of how it has looked over the past 3 months.
Mission BBQ
There hasn't been a lot of progress on the Mission BBQ site so I have no updated pictures, but as I was driving by, I happened to notice this sign:
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| Sign in front of the future Mission BBQ on Route 73 |
I recalled that during a previous Planning Board meeting for the proposed Royal Farms next to the Marlton 8, it was noted that there was arsenic found on the site and remediation may be needed. This was presumed to be due to the orchards that used to be at location, since arsenic was used in pesticides during farming.
Since the Mission BBQ was right across the street, I wondered whether the same issue was occurring. A search of the state Department of Environmental Protection revealed soil contamination due to pesticides.
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| State of NJ Department of Environmental Protection Incident Report |
iCANdi Training Studio coming?
It looks like we might be getting another fitness studio here in town. The iCANdi (eye candy) Training Studio (formerly Slim Chicks Fitness) may be opening here soon, based on their website. They have current locations in Northfield and Turnersville. I reached out to them via email and Facebook have not heard back.
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| Note what the arrow is pointing at! |
Starbucks
Construction at Starbucks continues.
It appears that the site plan from almost 3 years ago is indeed the design that they are building. There is room for 11 cars in the drive thru lane before causing traffic issues (10 cars pictured). The Starbucks takes up but a small fraction of the building.
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| Front of Starbucks (8/31/18) |
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| Rear of Starbucks (8/31/18) |
It appears that the site plan from almost 3 years ago is indeed the design that they are building. There is room for 11 cars in the drive thru lane before causing traffic issues (10 cars pictured). The Starbucks takes up but a small fraction of the building.
Cugini Deli
Cugini Deli has closed. There had been a sign on the door stating they would be on vacation until 8/14/2018, and I was hoping they were just extending their vacation. Sadly that is not to be. That sign has been removed and the shelves are now bare.
While one Italian deli is leaving, another is just around the corner. Nene's on Main Street should be opening in the next couple of months.
Renaissance Square
No updates on the building that contains Virtua and the future Children of America, but it looks like multiple apartment buildings are be worked on. Without being able to enter the site its difficult to figure out what I am looking at, but I think I may have been incorrect last blog.
Walmart
Last week I posted photos of an empty space where housewares and watches had been. That space has now been filled, and there is an empty space across from electronics. They are moving everything around inside, and its tough to find where everything is.
I'm not sure if this is new, because I thought they had removed it, but Walmart has a fabric department again, with a sign that says 'New Plush Fabric Department.'
With Joann's Fabric no longer in town, this might be helpful to some.
Misc
Previous Blog Posts
Cugini Deli has closed. There had been a sign on the door stating they would be on vacation until 8/14/2018, and I was hoping they were just extending their vacation. Sadly that is not to be. That sign has been removed and the shelves are now bare.
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| October 2015 - Former Petals & Blooms. Signs in the window announce Cugini coming soon |
While one Italian deli is leaving, another is just around the corner. Nene's on Main Street should be opening in the next couple of months.
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| Nene's Italian Market (8/31/18) |
Renaissance Square
No updates on the building that contains Virtua and the future Children of America, but it looks like multiple apartment buildings are be worked on. Without being able to enter the site its difficult to figure out what I am looking at, but I think I may have been incorrect last blog.
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| It would appear that the three buildings marked 1,2 and 3 are being worked on |
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| Stairwells from buildings 1 and 2 correspond with buildings from plan above |
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| (3) H Building Stairwell, behind Port-a-potty |
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| Dunkin Donuts (8/31/18) |
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| Evesham Mortgage (8/31/18) |
Last week I posted photos of an empty space where housewares and watches had been. That space has now been filled, and there is an empty space across from electronics. They are moving everything around inside, and its tough to find where everything is.
I'm not sure if this is new, because I thought they had removed it, but Walmart has a fabric department again, with a sign that says 'New Plush Fabric Department.'
With Joann's Fabric no longer in town, this might be helpful to some.
Misc
- Yoga Revive in Crispin Square is hoping for a mid October opening
- Famous Footwear is still open, everything is still 40% off, but there is not a lot of inventory left
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| Hair Cuttery at the Shops at Borders has moved into their new location, across the parking lot from their old location. |
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| Plaza 70 (Dollar Tree, Produce Junction) is getting new sidewalks |