Headline: Heads-up for I‑295 commuters — Zallie ShopRite opens at Cherrywood Plaza in Gloucester Twp. Dec. 7
Gloucester Township — If you drive I‑295 through Gloucester Township, or live in the Blackwood/Clementon neighborhood, mark your calendar: the new Zallie-operated ShopRite at Cherrywood Plaza opens Sunday, Dec. 7 at 9 a.m.
Why it matters for folks by the exit, in town, and around the county
This isn’t just another supermarket ribbon-cutting. Grocery stores shape daily life: they create jobs, change traffic patterns, and act as anchors for small retail plazas. For drivers and residents who use I‑295 to get around Camden County and into South Jersey job centers, having a full-service grocery on the Cherrywood Plaza side of town means easier same-day runs, quicker commutes with one-stop shopping, and more options for families that have been juggling multiple stops for fresh food and prescriptions.
Where it sits and how that helps
Cherrywood Plaza sits within the Blackwood/Clementon area of Gloucester Township — a commercial strip that serves nearby neighborhoods and commuters. Google Maps shows the plaza is accessible from the main local roads that feed onto the I‑295 corridor, so expect shoppers coming off the highway as well as neighbors walking over from nearby residential blocks. For people who live near the exit and commute north or south on I‑295, the new ShopRite will be a visible, convenient option for weekday and weekend grocery trips.
What to expect inside (and how Zallie fits in)
Zallie is the operating banner behind this ShopRite; independent operator-run ShopRites are common in New Jersey, and local ownership often means store features modeled after other area ShopRites — deli and bakery counters, a full produce department, prepared foods, pharmacy services, and online order/curbside pickup options. Those are the services that usually draw in regular traffic and make a store a neighborhood hub. Based on regional ShopRite trends and customer reviews for nearby locations, shoppers tend to praise fresh produce, bakery items, and deli options — things families want for weeknight dinners and last‑minute gatherings.
What the plaza and nearby small businesses stand to gain
A new anchor tenant usually drives foot traffic to surrounding shops — neighborhood pizza spots, takeout counters, salons, and service businesses often see more customers when a grocery store opens. Cherrywood Plaza could get a boost from early-week runs and weekend crowds. For local landlords and municipal planners, a healthy supermarket can make a difference in recruitment and retention of other retailers, and that can matter for local tax revenues and commercial vacancy rates.
Jobs and local hiring
Grocery openings usually bring local hiring for full- and part-time roles — from cashiers and stockers to pharmacy and management staff. While exact numbers for this location haven’t been released publicly, residents can expect employment opportunities at the store and in supporting supply and service roles nearby.
Traffic, parking and community impact
New grocery stores change how people move around a plaza. Expect increased turn-ins off the main road and busier parking lots during peak hours. That can mean short-term congestion around opening week but also a reason for the township and property owners to review curb cuts, signage, and pedestrian access — improvements that often follow when a plaza becomes a busier destination.
Where to get more information
– Google Maps: check the Cherrywood Plaza location and directions if you plan to visit from an I‑295 exit.
– Local news outlets like NJ.com and Patch often follow regional retail openings and any traffic or planning updates tied to them.
– Community sentiment: look at Yelp reviews for nearby ShopRite locations to get a sense of what shoppers like (produce, deli, bakery) and where employees and customers suggest improvements.
What residents along I‑295 should know this week
– Grand opening: Sunday, Dec. 7 at 9 a.m. Expect crowds and promotional giveaways that day.
– If you’re commuting, consider planning around morning or evening peak times the first week as more drivers visit the plaza.
– If you own a nearby business or are part of a community group, this is a chance to connect with the new store’s management for cross-promotions, job fairs, or community initiatives.
Bottom line
A new Zallie ShopRite at Cherrywood Plaza means convenience for Gloucester Township residents and drivers on the I‑295 corridor, plus a potential economic shot-in-the-arm for the plaza and its surrounding businesses. We’ll be watching how this store fits into the local retail picture and what it means for traffic, jobs, and everyday life around the Blackwood/Clementon area. If you live or work near I‑295 and plan to stop by opening weekend, drop by, take note of how it changes your run-of-the-mill errands, and tell us what you think.
If you want, I can add directions from specific I‑295 exits, or pull together a short list of nearby eateries and services that may benefit from the new traffic.
