Headline: Vineland’s Old Sears Is Becoming a Church — What That Means for Cumberland County Drivers and Businesses
By Ari Williams | 295Times
If you’ve driven the Route 55/US‑40 corridor or into Vineland from points east along I‑295, you’ve probably noticed the hulking, empty Sears building that used to anchor the local shopping area near Cumberland Mall. That property is getting a new life: True North Church is planning a Vineland campus in the former Sears space, and for people who live, work, and commute through Cumberland County, this is one of those small but meaningful development changes worth watching.
Where this sits and why it matters
– The building sits in the commercial spine of Vineland, within the broader Cumberland Mall/retail district that serves much of central Cumberland County. Google Maps shows the site immediately accessible from the main retail arterials that connect to Route 55 and the regional road network used by drivers coming from I‑295 and neighboring counties.
– For 295Times readers who pay attention to exits and travel patterns, the significance is practical: this reuse leverages an existing parking field and easy curb access, so instead of adding a new trip generator deep in a residential area, it’s putting activity back into a space already designed for traffic and cars. That’s better for local roads and safer for walkers than a new build in a previously undeveloped parcel.
About True North Church
– True North Church is a regional, non‑denominational congregation that has been expanding campus‑style across South Jersey (their websites and public profiles show a focus on contemporary worship, family programming, and outreach). Yelp reviews of their other locations reflect that members value family ministries, community events, and volunteer efforts — the sort of services that often ripple out into neighborhoods via food drives, youth groups, and local partnerships.
– Churches converting big‑box retail isn’t new: Patch and NJ.com have covered similar adaptive reuses in the region, and this sits squarely in that trend. These projects usually preserve vast parking fields and interior shell space, which makes conversions quicker and can be a lifeline for oversized, hard‑to‑repurpose properties.
Local impacts — positives and things to watch
– Community use and foot traffic: Expect periodic spikes (weekend services, midweek programs) rather than constant retail traffic. That can be a boon to nearby restaurants and service businesses on weekends and evenings without the constant turnover of a traditional retail tenant.
– Property tax and municipal budgets: Churches are typically tax‑exempt, so while reuse avoids vacancy blight, municipalities sometimes note a shift in tax revenue compared with a commercial tenant. That’s a local government conversation to follow as approvals move forward.
– Infrastructure and traffic: The site’s existing access and large lot are assets, but there will be traffic patterns to monitor — drop‑off/pick‑up during services and events, potential signal timing or turning lane needs at nearby intersections, and pedestrian access between the church and surrounding storefronts.
– Neighborhood character: For residents near the shopping district, converting an empty anchor into a community institution can feel stabilizing. It reduces the visual and economic drag of a shuttered storefront and can bring more predictable activity compared with the churn of retail closures and short‑term tenants.
Why this fits regional trends
– Across South Jersey, communities are seeing former Sears, Kmart, and big‑box spaces repurposed into everything from medical clinics to fitness centers and churches. That adaptive reuse preserves existing infrastructure and keeps commercial districts functional. NJ.com stories on retail shifts and Patch pieces on local redevelopment show this as a common outcome when national retailers downsize or exit markets.
– For I‑295 commuters and Route 55 drivers — the people who often use these retail hubs when heading to work or home — the change is subtle but meaningful: less risk of long‑term vacancy, a steady destination for events, and a reinvestment in the local shopping corridor.
What to watch next
– Keep an eye on local planning board filings for site plans and any traffic or lighting mitigation proposals.
– Look for community outreach from True North about programs, volunteer opportunities, and timelines for opening.
– Notice how nearby businesses respond — will restaurants and cafes lean into weekend lunch crowds? Will small retailers partner with the church for community events?
If you travel I‑295 into Cumberland County or live near one of the exits that feed into the Vineland‑Cumberland retail area, this is a practical example of how the region is evolving. Big vacant stores don’t always become redevelopment headlines; sometimes they quietly transform into community anchors. True North’s move into the old Sears is one of those quieter changes that can steadily shape how a commercial corridor functions for drivers, neighbors, and small businesses.
Have thoughts from your exit, block, or business near the mall? Send them my way — I’ll pass along updates as permits and plans move through the township.
