New Vineland food spots at Cumberland Mall are the kind of small changes that matter for I‑295 travelers and locals alike
Vineland — If you use I‑295 or the local Route 55/47 corridor to get around South Jersey, you may have noticed a little more color along the front of Cumberland Mall lately. Playa Bowls — the fast-casual açaí-and-bowl chain — has quietly opened on the mall’s exterior, and Wingstop is slated to join the lineup, bringing crispy wings and a delivery-friendly menu to shoppers and commuters passing through Cumberland County.
Why this matters for Vineland and the 295 corridor
Cumberland Mall sits squarely in Vineland’s retail spine, serving shoppers from across Cumberland County and drivers headed to and from I‑295 exits in the region. On Google Maps the mall is shown as a familiar stop for groceries, services and quick food — and adding recognizable quick‑serve brands on the building’s exterior makes the mall more visible to passing traffic. That visibility is important: exterior-facing locations capture drive-by customers and delivery business in a way internal mall storefronts often don’t.
For people who live near the mall or drive it regularly (think families, commuting nurses and folks working in logistics along the I‑295/Route 55/Route 47 corridors), Playa Bowls and Wingstop represent two different but complementary dining choices — one focusing on fresh bowls, smoothies and healthier grab-and-go items, the other a national wings brand that leans into takeout and late-night pickup. Together they fill different dayparts and customer needs, which can mean steadier foot traffic for the mall overall.
About the brands and what they bring
Playa Bowls has built its reputation on açaí bowls, pitaya bowls, smoothies and other fruit-forward menu items. The brand tends to do well in places where shoppers want a quick, healthier option — parents after practices, people stopping on the way to work, or visitors who want something lighter during a day of errands. Playa Bowls has expanded across the region in recent years and tends to be popular with younger customers and families who post their bowls to social media.
Wingstop is a national quick-service chicken wing chain known for bold sauces and a heavy delivery/takeout focus. The brand’s business model often centers on exterior mall placements, shopping-center endcaps, and freestanding units that handle carryout and third‑party delivery efficiently. For a mall operator, Wingstop is attractive because it drives evening and weekend traffic and pairs well with other retail and service tenants that benefit from people stopping in before or after a meal.
Local impact: jobs, nearby businesses, and neighborhoods
New quick-service tenants usually mean local hiring — entry-level positions that can be important for teenagers, shift workers, and residents looking for flexible schedules. They also change foot-traffic patterns. Playa Bowls will likely draw daytime shoppers and younger customers, while Wingstop can bring steady dinner-time and weekend demand. That diversity helps smaller retailers and service businesses inside the mall by increasing incidental visits.
There’s also a neighborhood angle: exterior-facing restaurants are easier for nearby residents to access without navigating mall interiors, which benefits seniors or folks who prefer quick curbside pickup. For drivers coming off I‑295, recognizable brands make the mall an obvious stop when planning a break or a quick meal.
How this fits broader retail and development trends
What we’re seeing in Vineland mirrors a national trend: malls are shifting away from a single enclosed experience to a mixed approach with exterior-facing tenants and more food-and-beverage options. Local reporting outlets like NJ.com and Patch have covered similar redevelopments across New Jersey, where property owners court quick-service restaurants to stabilize rental income and keep centers relevant as shopping habits change.
For Cumberland Mall, adding outward-facing restaurants helps modernize the center’s curb appeal and gives the property a better chance to capture grab-and-go business from both locals and travelers using nearby highways.
Community reaction — what locals are saying
Online reviews and social apps give an early sense of how new spots are received. On platforms such as Yelp, Playa Bowls locations across the region tend to draw praise for freshness and friendly service, though some reviewers note busy times can mean longer waits. Wingstop locations generally earn strong marks for flavor variety and delivery convenience, with occasional complaints about order accuracy or wait times during peak hours. For the Vineland market, locals will be watching for consistent service, opening specials, and whether these spots create reliable hours that fit neighborhood needs.
What to watch next
– Opening timing and hours: Wingstop’s arrival will be most noticeable when it starts regular dinner and late-night service. Playa Bowls’ hours will tell you whether it’s focused on breakfast/lunch crowds or staying open into the afternoon for shoppers.
– Employment postings: Look for local hiring announcements — those are quick indicators of how many jobs the new tenants will add to the community.
– Traffic patterns: If the new spots bring steady deliveries and pickup traffic, the mall’s parking and entry points may see shifts that matter for nearby businesses and shoppers.
– Additional tenants: Exterior-facing restaurants often come in pairs — once one brand moves in, others may follow. That could signal a broader refresh for the mall.
If you live near the I‑295 exits serving Cumberland County or travel through Vineland regularly, these openings are worth a quick stop — or at least a look next time you’re passing. If you have photos, tips, or have tried the new Playa Bowls at Cumberland Mall, send them our way at 295Times.com — we’ll keep an eye on how these spots settle into the neighborhood and what they mean for the corridor.
