Headline: Pandora Diner Family Set to Reopen Voorhees Diner Site — a Small Win for Marlton Pike and the Route 73 Corridor
A familiar corner of Voorhees Township is getting a second act. The longtime diner on Route 73 that shuttered its doors has been taken over by the Pandora Diner Family, and the group is moving forward with plans to reopen the location. For residents and travelers who use the Marlton Pike/Route 73 corridor and I‑295 nearby, that’s the kind of neighborhood news that quietly matters: jobs, a morning coffee stop, and a reused storefront instead of another vacancy.
Where this sits and why it matters
The property fronts Route 73 — the Marlton Pike/Route 73 corridor that threads through Voorhees and connects to I‑295 and other regional routes. That stretch of roadway is both a commercial spine for the township and a commuter route into Camden County and beyond. A quick look on Google Maps shows the site within a cluster of strip retail, service businesses and gas stations that depend on steady traffic. Reopening a diner here means restoring a business that serves not only local residents, but shift workers, school traffic and drivers passing between exits along I‑295.
Pandora Diner Family — who are they?
Pandora Diner Family is a regional diner operator that has been expanding in South Jersey in recent years, focusing on classic diner fare with updated interiors and a franchise-style approach to management. Their playbook, based on other Pandora locations and community reaction on platforms like Yelp, leans toward dependable breakfast-and-lunch service, neighborhood familiarity and consistent hours — all things that matter on a busy artery like Marlton Pike.
Community and economic impact
– Jobs: A reopening brings local hires for front-of-house, kitchen and maintenance roles — part‑time and full‑time positions that often go to nearby residents. In a township where many rely on nearby retail and service work, that’s not trivial.
– Spillover for nearby businesses: Diners generate steady, daily traffic. People stopping for coffee or a sandwich help sustain adjacent shops, gas stations and service businesses. That effect is amplified on Route 73, where many small businesses depend on passing motorists.
– Streetscape and reuse: The project is an example of adaptive reuse — taking a closed, visible storefront and returning it to active commercial use. That’s preferable to long-term vacancy, which can depress nearby property values and signal decline.
What residents are saying (and what the internet shows)
Local sentiment around the closed diner was a mix of nostalgia and frustration — common when a familiar food spot goes dark. On review sites like Yelp and on local social feeds, people often comment more about missing the convenience and the regulars than about any specific ownership issues. Pandora’s other locations tend to get reviews citing friendly service and classic diner plates, which has generated cautious optimism from Voorhees locals who want their corner restaurant back.
Timing and what’s next
Pandora has taken over the property and plans to renovate and reopen, but the timeline will depend on municipal permits, health inspections and construction work. Repurposing a diner typically involves kitchen upgrades, signage approvals and parking/site adjustments — all processes handled through Voorhees Township and Camden County agencies. For those who track local development news (and those who frequent the I‑295 corridor), these are the practical steps that determine when a “coming soon” becomes a new morning routine.
Why 295Times readers should care
– If you use the nearby I‑295 exits or travel the Marlton Pike/Route 73 corridor, this reopening is a small but tangible improvement to the corridor’s commercial mix.
– It’s an indicator of local economic momentum: small-to-midscale businesses returning or expanding along Route 73 suggests demand remains for convenient dining and service options near exits and commuter routes.
– For neighbors of Voorhees and Camden County, it’s a reminder that redevelopment doesn’t always mean big boxes: sometimes it’s the familiar diner coming back, updated and ready to serve.
We’ll keep an eye on permitting records, exterior renovations and an expected opening date. If you drive by the site on Route 73 or keep tabs on local Facebook groups and Yelp threads, you’ll likely be among the first to spot the new signage. For now, consider this a neighborhood-level win: a closed diner getting new ownership, jobs, and a renewed role on Marlton Pike — the sort of incremental change that, over time, helps shape a town’s everyday life.
