Headline: Slice & Spice Coming to Blackwood — A New Shawarma Stop for Gloucester Township and I‑295 Travelers
Category: News — Gloucester Township
If you drive I‑295 through South Jersey, you already know how much of our daily life funnels in and out of the corridor’s exits: quick errands, commute pit stops, and places to grab a meal before getting back on the highway. Now Blackwood is getting one more reason to pull off — Slice & Spice, a new restaurant advertising shawarma, kabobs and other East‑meets‑West flavors, is opening in the Blackwood neighborhood of Gloucester Township.
What’s opening and where
Slice & Spice bills itself as a Mediterranean/Middle Eastern casual spot offering shawarma, kabobs and assorted specials that blend flavors from “east and west.” Signage and social posts around town indicate the restaurant will occupy a storefront in Blackwood’s commercial area (see the announcement image published with early coverage). Google Maps places that commercial corridor in the heart of Blackwood village, a short drive from the township’s main arteries and a convenient stop for residents and drivers exiting I‑295 toward Blackwood and surrounding towns.
Why this matters to Gloucester Township and I‑295 drivers
– A convenient option for commuters: For folks using I‑295 and local connectors, a compact, fast‑casual spot serving grilled proteins and wraps is a welcome alternative to national chains. It fills the niche of quick, made‑to‑order meals for lunch breaks, after‑school pickups and evening commutes.
– Adds dining diversity to Blackwood: Gloucester Township’s eating scene has been steadily diversifying, and a Mediterranean/Middle Eastern concept complements existing pizzerias, diners and family restaurants. Local customers often tell reviewers on Yelp that they want more variety; a place focused on shawarma and kabobs answers that call.
– Small business and neighborhood impact: New restaurants in strip centers or village centers usually bring modest job creation, new foot traffic for neighboring retailers and an extra reason for people to linger in town rather than driving to larger regional centers. That’s good for daytime sales at nearby shops and for the overall vitality of the Blackwood business district.
– Potential development signal: In recent years (covered frequently by outlets like NJ.com and Patch), South Jersey has seen a pattern of fast‑casual and specialty restaurants opening near interstate exits and commercial nodes. Those openings can be early indicators of incremental reinvestment in local retail corridors — things to watch if you follow development around your exit.
Community context and sentiment
Looking at local business reviews and similar openings on platforms such as Yelp, customers in Gloucester County tend to respond well to approachable, affordable restaurants with clear flavors and fast service. While Slice & Spice appears to be a new brand for the area rather than a longstanding chain, similar independent concepts have built loyal followings here by offering consistent quality and convenient takeout/delivery — important in a community where families and commuters make up much of the daytime population.
How this fits into the local travel pattern
Blackwood’s location — within easy reach of commuters who use I‑295, Route 42 and other local corridor roads — makes any new eatery in the village of interest beyond township borders. Whether you’re heading north or south on I‑295, exits that feed into Gloucester Township pull traffic into these small commercial nodes. A reliable, quick dining option can transform a simple stop into part of a routine: pick up dinner on the way home, grab lunch during a midday errand, or order for pickup on the way to an event.
What we still don’t know
The announcement so far is light on specifics: an exact opening date, hours, menu details and whether Slice & Spice will offer catering or expanded delivery via services like DoorDash or Grubhub. Local permitting, final fit‑out and hiring often determine final opening timelines. We’ll keep an eye on the storefront and the township’s business filings for updates.
What 295Times readers should do next
If you live near the I‑295 exits that feed into Blackwood — or if you commute that route regularly — keep an eye on that storefront and the Slice & Spice social pages for an opening date. When it opens, tell us: is it the kind of place you’d stop at after getting off the highway? Does it make you linger in Blackwood more often? Send photos or tips to our newsroom and we’ll follow up with a hands‑on review.
Sources and context
– Storefront announcement image and initial local coverage shared online
– Local mapping context via Google Maps for Blackwood commercial area
– Regional restaurant and development trends reported by NJ.com and Patch
– Community sentiment and comparable business reviews on Yelp
295Times will update this post as we learn more about Slice & Spice’s opening timeline, menu and community plans. If you’re watching development at a particular I‑295 exit or want coverage for your town or shopping corridor, drop us a note — we cover news by exit, town and county so readers know what’s changing along their routes.
