Headline: Chick‑fil‑A Rising at Gloucester Premium Outlets — What Blackwood and I‑295 Travelers Should Know
If you drive I‑295 through Gloucester Township or use the Route 42 exit to get to the Gloucester Premium Outlets in Blackwood, you’ve probably noticed construction activity on the outlet mall’s newer pad sites. January 2026 photos show a Chick‑fil‑A rising along the outlet extension at the Route 42 interchange — a small but meaningful development for shoppers, commuters and nearby neighborhoods.
Where it sits and why that matters
– The new Chick‑fil‑A is part of the Gloucester Premium Outlets expansion area, right at the Route 42/Blackwood interchange and a quick hop from I‑295. Google Maps’ outlet pin and recent aerial imagery make it clear the building will be highly visible to motorists using both Route 42 and I‑295.
– That visibility matters: this is not a tucked‑away strip location. It’s placed to capture outlet shoppers, Route 42 commuters and drivers exiting I‑295 for the Blackwood area.
What this means for the community
– Jobs and local spending: When a national quick‑service brand lands in a township it generally brings dozens of part‑time and full‑time positions and additional sales tax revenue — small but steady economic benefits for Gloucester Township and Camden County.
– Foot traffic for the outlets: A full‑service fast‑casual pick‑up option can keep shoppers on property longer and help neighboring retailers in the outlet center — a win for stores that depend on high weekend traffic.
– Traffic and infrastructure pressure: Route 42 is already a busy corridor. NJ.com and local outlets have long covered congestion and safety concerns around Route 42 and nearby interchanges; adding a popular drive‑thru destination right at the exit raises the usual questions about queuing, peak‑hour backups, and whether local signal timing or curb cuts will need adjusting. For drivers using I‑295, that could mean more merging and turning activity at the Route 42 ramps during high‑retail windows.
– Neighborhood balance: Residents near outlet centers often welcome job opportunities and more dining options, but they also watch for increased noise, litter, and traffic on side streets. Patch and other neighborhood news sources frequently monitor those tradeoffs after new retail openings; Blackwood will be no different.
Brand and local sentiment
– Chick‑fil‑A tends to draw loyal customers — Yelp pages for nearby Chick‑fil‑A locations in South Jersey show high ratings and long lines during lunch and dinner. That pattern suggests the Blackwood location will be popular from day one.
– At the same time, communities do sometimes voice concerns around traffic flow and business competition. Local discussion boards and outlet mall shoppers we spoke with (and Yelp comments for nearby stores) show enthusiasm for another food option but also a watchful eye toward the impact on congestion, especially on weekend shopping days.
What to watch next
– Construction progress: January 2026 photos show the shell going up; signage and a target opening window will likely follow. We’ll keep an eye on building permits and any township planning board filings that note operational hours or drive‑thru stacking plans.
– Roadway adjustments: Look for Gloucester Township or Camden County to coordinate with the mall and NJDOT on any needed traffic changes — turning lanes, signal timing or improved pedestrian crossings — once the store nears opening.
– Local hiring: New locations typically post local hiring announcements; those are a good early indicator of an opening date and the scale of staffing.
Why it matters to I‑295 readers
This is the kind of development that connects to how you use the highway every day. For commuters, it’s a potential destination for breakfast or a quick meal off the highway. For local businesses, it’s another anchor that can help keep outlet traffic humming. For neighbors, it’s another change in development pace at an exit that has evolved over recent years.
We’ll continue watching the buildout at the Gloucester Premium Outlets and reporting details that matter to drivers and residents near the Route 42/I‑295 corridor. If you live or work in Blackwood, or commute the exits nearby, tell us: how would you like to see the township manage traffic and pedestrian access around the new Chick‑fil‑A? Share tips or photos with 295Times and we’ll include community input in future updates.
