New on Mantua Pike: Deptford Gets The Green Initiative; Laughing Leaf Eyes Old Hurffville Wawa
If you’re coming into Deptford off I-295, you’re now looking at another new reason to pull off at Mantua Pike: The Green Initiative has opened a retail cannabis shop on the township’s busy commercial strip, and another operator — Laughing Leaf — is planning a store in the former Wawa on Hurffville Road. For people who live, work and drive in Deptford and the surrounding exits along I-295, these moves matter beyond the counter: they change traffic patterns, the retail mix, and bring new revenue and jobs to Gloucester County.
Where these stores sit — and why that matters
The Green Initiative’s new location is on Mantua Pike (Route 45), one of Deptford’s main north–south corridors and a feeder for drivers exiting I-295 into the township’s retail spine. The former Wawa site on Hurffville Road — a short drive away and near neighborhoods that funnel onto the same arterial roads — has attracted Laughing Leaf’s interest for a new dispensary. Both spots are squarely in the commercial heart of Deptford, within easy reach of the Deptford Mall area, restaurants and other strip-center businesses that depend on steady car traffic.
That visibility matters. Mantua Pike and Hurffville Road carry a mix of local shoppers, commuters coming off I-295, and regional customers from adjacent Gloucester and Camden County ZIP codes. A dispensary in either location becomes part of that travel pattern: it’s not just a place for locals, it’s a stop for people passing through on the way home or heading to nearby work centers.
Who these brands are
The Green Initiative is one of several licensed retailers expanding across New Jersey’s adult-use market. Operators like them typically emphasize product variety (flower, vapes, edibles), cannabis education, and trained budtenders. Laughing Leaf is a regional brand that has pursued retail opportunities in South Jersey as the state’s market grows; they’ve shown a pattern of converting existing commercial properties into dispensaries, which is likely why the former Wawa site is a good fit.
Both companies will operate under New Jersey’s regulatory framework — the Cannabis Regulatory Commission oversees licensing and rules, while Deptford Township handles local land-use approvals and host-community arrangements. Those local agreements — often including annual fees, community benefit contributions, and specific operational conditions like security plans — are how towns shape what these businesses can offer.
What residents and businesses can expect
Economic and job benefits: Retail cannabis shops bring new jobs — from pharmacists and compliance staff to retail associates — and generate tax and potential host-community revenue. For a commercial corridor like Mantua Pike, that can mean more daytime traffic and spending that benefits nearby sandwich shops, salons and service businesses.
Traffic and parking: The flip side is more vehicles stopping in strip-center lots or making short turns off Mantua Pike or Hurffville Road. That matters for drivers using I-295 exits into Deptford, especially during afternoon commutes. Town planners and the businesses themselves typically address this with lot reconfigurations, clearly marked customer queuing and traffic-management plans as part of permitting.
Community sentiment: Across New Jersey, responses have been mixed. Many customers praise product selection and staff education; neighbors sometimes raise concerns about odor, security and late-night foot traffic. Local review platforms and neighborhood social feeds often reflect that split — excitement about convenience and choice, tempered by close-watch vigilance from residents and business owners.
How this fits regional trends
Deptford’s moves are part of a broader South Jersey trend: as the adult-use market matures, operators are selecting high-visibility retail sites in suburban retail corridors rather than tucked-away industrial parks. That’s a pattern you see along I-295’s retail exits — where highway access and dense customer bases make locations attractive. For Gloucester County, more licensed retailers can mean a flatter tax base and new local revenues, but also a need for clear municipal oversight to balance growth with neighborhood quality-of-life.
What to watch next
– Permitting and site plans: Laughing Leaf’s use of the Hurffville Road Wawa will need township approvals for change of use, signage and operations. Keep an eye on Deptford’s planning board meeting agendas if you want the latest.
– Operating hours and traffic controls: Any traffic mitigation measures, like re-striping or dedicated pickup lanes, will matter for drivers using the nearby I-295 exits.
– Community outreach: Many retailers hold open houses, listening sessions or “soft opens” to introduce staff and explain security and product education. Those events are a good place for neighbors and business owners to ask questions.
If you drive I-295 into Deptford, these new storefronts are more than a retail headline — they’re pieces of the local economy and the day-to-day flow of the township. We’ll keep tracking approvals, opening dates and community response. If you have photos, local tips, or questions about how this will affect a particular exit, business cluster or neighborhood near I-295, send them our way and we’ll follow up.
— Ari Williams, 295Times (Deptford coverage)
