Headline: Deptford Town Center’s Next Phase Is Underway — Demo for First Watch and Nordstrom Rack Visible from I‑295 as Retail Rebuild Picks Up Steam
If you drive I‑295 through Gloucester County, you can’t miss the changes now underway at Deptford Town Center. The January 2026 update shows visible demolition work where new tenant buildouts are going to sit — most notably spaces slated for First Watch and a Nordstrom Rack. For folks who live off the local exits, commute this corridor, or run businesses in Deptford Township, this is more than a storefront shuffle: it’s a piece of the county’s ongoing retail and traffic puzzle.
What’s happening now
Crews are in the middle of site demo and preparation for the next development phase at Deptford Town Center. The work is concentrated around the pads that will house the daytime-focused breakfast-and‑lunch chain First Watch and the off‑price department store Nordstrom Rack. From I‑295 and nearby surface streets you can already see concrete and framing work moving forward — a clear sign the project has shifted from planning into visible construction.
Why these two matter to this exit and the neighborhood
First Watch and Nordstrom Rack fill two different but complementary roles in suburban retail:
– First Watch is a fast‑growing breakfast/lunch concept known for chef‑driven morning menus and all‑day brunch. It tends to draw steady daytime traffic — local families, workers grabbing breakfast before a shift, and weekend brunch crowds. For drivers using I‑295 and residents of Deptford, a First Watch is an everyday convenience and an employer for entry‑level and hospitality workers in the area.
– Nordstrom Rack is the off‑price arm of Nordstrom and serves as a regional draw. It brings shoppers looking for branded apparel and home goods at discount prices, often pulling in customers from multiple towns and counties. A Nordstrom Rack can become a weekend destination, increasing foot traffic for neighboring retailers and restaurants in the center.
Put together at Deptford Town Center, these tenants broaden the center’s appeal: First Watch brings consistent daytime customers; Nordstrom Rack draws periodic destination traffic. That mix can be good news for nearby small businesses that rely on spillover visits — coffee shops, service retailers, and restaurants are frequently the indirect beneficiaries.
Location context and local infrastructure notes
Deptford Town Center sits just off I‑295 in Deptford Township (Gloucester County), an intersection of commuter patterns and South Jersey shopping corridors. Google Maps and local listings show the center is easily accessible from the interstate and the network of state and county roads around Deptford — a reason national retailers prize these locations.
That accessibility is a two‑edged sword. While easy access from I‑295 helps fill parking lots and boost retail sales, it also concentrates turning movements and delivery traffic on the closest exit ramps and arterials. Residents and local officials should keep an eye on:
– Peak‑hour spillover onto neighborhood streets
– Signal timing and turning lane needs at nearby intersections
– Logistics for deliveries and truck staging, especially for large retailers
Those are the kinds of infrastructure details municipal planners and business improvement committees tend to watch as big national tenants move in.
Economic and community impact
New retail construction typically brings short‑term construction jobs and longer‑term hourly positions in retail and hospitality. For Deptford and Gloucester County, that translates to local payrolls, sales tax revenue, and more reasons for shoppers in nearby towns to stay within the county rather than traveling farther.
There are also secondary effects: increased activity at a center can make it a stronger draw for complementary tenants (think casual restaurants, health/beauty services, and specialty shops). Conversely, if a new tenant draws shoppers away from an older shopping strip or downtown merchants, local leaders will want to watch for balance and consider incentives or streetscape investments to keep smaller commercial districts competitive.
What local sentiment looks like
Online review platforms give a shorthand sense of how communities respond to brands. First Watch locations often score well for consistent service and approachable brunch menus; customers see it as a reliable neighborhood option. Nordstrom Rack generally attracts shoppers hunting bargains — reviews commonly praise the discounts while noting crowds and variability in inventory.
Local reaction in Deptford is likely to follow those familiar patterns: appreciation for new dining and discount shopping options, curiosity about traffic impacts, and interest from job seekers. Patch and NJ.com have covered similar retail openings across South Jersey, noting both the economic upside and the traffic conversations that follow.
What we don’t know (yet)
The January 2026 scene shows demo and framing activity, but specifics like grand opening dates, final tenant layouts, and any public‑sector mitigation plans (traffic signal changes, curb work) haven’t been broadly published. Those details usually appear in township planning documents, permit filings, or follow‑up reporting. I’ll keep an eye on Deptford’s municipal updates, county planning notices, and signage at the site for timelines and traffic advisories.
Why readers who use the exits should care
If you live, commute, or shop around I‑295 here, this project matters because it changes daily life in small ways — where you stop for breakfast, how early you leave for work if there’s a weekend sale, who’s hiring in town, and where tax dollars are flowing. For business owners and local officials, it’s a reminder that regional retail decisions ripple into parking demand, peak‑hour congestion, and the competitive landscape for other merchants.
If you’ve driven by recently and snapped a photo, noticed construction impacts on your commute, or have questions about how this will affect your business or neighborhood, send them my way. I’ll follow the next permits and openings and report back with the details Deptford and Gloucester County residents care about.
