New headline:
Marlton Pike Mystery: Kibitz Room Deli’s Sudden Closure Has Cherry Hill Regulars and I‑295 Commuters Asking Why
Category 1: Marlton Pike
Category 2: Cherry Hill
If you’ve driven down Marlton Pike (Route 70) in Cherry Hill this week, you may have noticed the Kibitz Room Deli darkened and closed — with no public notice about when, or if, it will reopen. The unannounced shuttering of a neighborhood deli is the kind of small, local story that can ripple outward: it affects morning commuters grabbing a sandwich off I‑295, seniors who rely on a familiar counter for coffee, and nearby shops that count on steady foot traffic along the Route 70 corridor.
What we’re seeing
The storefront at the Marlton Pike location has been closed since mid‑last week, and customers I spoke with are confused. Signs of an abrupt pause — a dark interior and no posted message about hours or a relocation — left people asking whether this is temporary, a matter of staffing, or something more permanent.
Why this matters to Cherry Hill and drivers off I‑295
Marlton Pike is more than a busy road — it’s a spine of day‑to‑day life for this part of Cherry Hill. Local delis like Kibitz Room are convenience stops for everyone from hospital and municipal employees to commuters exiting I‑295 into town. When a familiar spot disappears without notice:
– Commuters who use I‑295 exits into Cherry Hill lose a reliable quick‑stop for breakfast or lunches.
– Nearby small businesses may see a dip in lunchtime traffic when a well‑liked deli is out of commission.
– Regular customers — long‑time residents, retirees, and workers — are inconvenienced and left to find new routines.
Community reaction and online chatter
On review sites like Yelp and local Facebook groups, the tone has been a mix of concern and nostalgia. Many posts point to quick service and sandwiches as reasons the deli mattered; others say they’ll miss the familiarity of staff who remembered names and orders. That kind of sentiment is typical for corner delis and underlines how a single small business can be a social hub in a neighborhood.
Context: retail turnover and Marlton Pike development trends
The Marlton Pike/Route 70 corridor has been through steady change in recent years — from new housing and retail projects to remodels of older parcels. Local outlets such as NJ.com and patch.com regularly report on retail turnover and redevelopment pressures that affect small businesses across South Jersey. Rising costs, labor challenges, and shifting consumer habits (more delivery and chains) are frequent drivers behind sudden closures or relocations of independent businesses.
What we’re doing (and what you can do)
295Times has reached out to the deli’s listed contacts and to Cherry Hill Township for comment and will update this post if we hear back. If you have recent information about the Kibitz Room’s status — whether you’re a customer, an employee, or a neighbor — send us a tip so we can keep the community informed.
If you’re trying to replace a quick stop during your commute off I‑295, check the Google Business listing and review sites for nearby delis and cafes that show real‑time hours. Many small spots post updates on Facebook or Google when they plan to reopen.
Why local coverage matters
This isn’t just about one sandwich shop. It’s about how everyday businesses knit together the daily life of a town and how shifts along corridors like Marlton Pike are felt block by block. For people who use the Cherry Hill exits of I‑295 — whether commuting to work or running errands — these closures map directly onto your day: new routes, new stops, and sometimes, lost local flavor.
If you have photos, details, or a story about Kibitz Room on Marlton Pike, email tips@295times.com. I’ll keep watching this one and report back with updates for Marlton Pike commuters and Cherry Hill neighbors.
— Ari Williams, 295Times
