Headline: Sicklerville’s New 7 Brew Drive‑Thru Moves Into Former Bank Lot — A Convenience Play for Winslow Commuters and ShopRite Shoppers
By Ari Williams | 295Times — Winslow Township
Demolition crews were on site this week at the busy corner of Berlin‑Cross Keys Road and Chews Landing Road in Sicklerville, taking down the closed bank that sat in front of the ShopRite shopping center. The cleared lot won’t stay empty for long — plans are moving forward to build a 7 Brew drive‑thru coffee shop, part of the fast‑growing chain’s push into South Jersey.
Why Winslow Township readers should care
– Location: The site is immediately adjacent to ShopRite Sicklerville, a high‑traffic retail node that brings steady shopper and employee traffic. (See the intersection on Google Maps for the exact placement and curb cuts.)
– Commuter convenience: The corner sits on a corridor that feeds drivers coming off nearby I‑295 and local arteries. A drive‑thru coffee option will be handy for commuters and parents on school runs, and represents a classic suburban land‑use shift — from bank branch to quick‑service retail.
– Neighborhood impact: For residents, the change brings both convenience (more morning options) and familiar questions about added traffic, queuing in the curb lane, and how the new facility will interface with existing ShopRite parking and signal timing.
A quick look at 7 Brew
7 Brew started on the West Coast and has positioned itself as a drive‑thru‑centric, franchise‑focused coffee brand that leans into bold marketing and fast service. The chain is known for nitro cold brews and oversized drink options that play well on social media, and it’s been expanding rapidly into eastern markets. Yelp reviews for other 7 Brew locations show a mix: many customers praise speed and friendly staff, while others flag inconsistent drink quality or busy lines during peak hours (Yelp). That mix is typical for new drive‑thru concepts as they scale up.
How this fits local development trends
This redevelopment reflects a few ongoing trends in South Jersey:
– Bank branch consolidation: Across suburbs, fewer people use physical bank branches, leaving prime corners open for retail reuse. Converting bank lots into drive‑thru coffee spots is an increasingly common and economically immediate reuse.
– Drive‑thru retail growth: Chains that prioritize quick in‑and‑out service are targeting suburban strips and center islands near supermarkets. Winslow’s retail corridors, anchored by big anchors like ShopRite, are attractive to these formulas.
– Small economic wins: A new franchise typically brings a handful of local construction jobs, then barista and management positions once open. For shoppers and workers at the nearby supermarket, an on-site coffee option can be a small but meaningful amenity.
What to watch next
– Traffic and site plan details: The demolition is the first visible step, but the site plan and Winslow Township approvals will show how the developer plans for queuing lanes, turn access, and pedestrian connections to the ShopRite center. Those details determine whether the coffee shop will ease morning congestion or create new pinch points.
– Community feedback: Nearby residents and the shopping center will have opportunities to weigh in during review. If you shop at the Sicklerville ShopRite or drive this corridor, keep an eye on local zoning board agendas or Winslow Township meeting notices.
– Opening timeline and local competition: Once built, 7 Brew will compete with existing coffee options in town and along the I‑295 corridor. How the chain fares will depend on hours, speed, and product consistency — and whether it can turn commuters off the highway into repeat customers.
Where to find more info
– The corner and surrounding retail node can be viewed on Google Maps for orientation.
– For broader coverage of retail and development trends in South Jersey, NJ.com and Patch regularly report on approvals and openings across Camden County.
– Community sentiment about 7 Brew’s offerings is visible on Yelp pages for other locations.
This is a small but telling redevelopment for Winslow Township: a bank site repurposed for convenience retail, leveraging the heavy shopper traffic at ShopRite and the commuter flows that run along the I‑295 corridor. I’ll continue to follow the approvals and construction timeline — if you live or drive through the Sicklerville area, feel free to reach out with questions or local tips about the intersection and how this might affect your commute.
— Ari Williams, 295Times (Winslow Township coverage)
