The Gloucester Premium Outlets have closed the food court ahead of a new build-out for an expanded Polo/Ralph Lauren store. In a recent December visit we saw the 3 stores on the right were closed and we are getting reports that now all of the food court shops are now closed.

Polo/Ralph Lauren already has a presence in the Outlets, but the food court building will more than double the space they currently rent, according to a Dec 4 article at Patch. This will also be a much better placement for Polo as they will be in a premier center focused spot of the shopping center, and positioned between two other popular stores Nike and Under Armour.

While this will reduce the number of eateries in the shopping center, they still have Friendly’s, Aunt Anne’s, Starbucks… and we’ve heard they will be adding more regular food trucks and food kiosks. This is of course just months ahead of the opening of Dave and Busters which will feature a full restaurant and bar along with its entertainment offerings.

We’ve heard some comments from tenants and others that there may be plans to add additional eateries in the Outlets over time, spread out around the facility… which makes sense as it will entice shoppers to move around the entire center.

We have another post coming to catch up on recently opened Outlet stores.

Liquor Licenses and Shopping Districts

Simply having a popular alcohol serving restaurant in your shopping center can be a big “foot traffic” draw. More people are driving to Cross Keys right now because of new Cinder Bar. More people will go to Deptford because of the new Miller’s Ale House when it opens “Hey I have to pick up a gift for Mom. Instead of Walmart let’s stop at Target in Deptford ’cause then we can grab lunch at that new Miller’s Ale House”. And yes the Outlets will definitely win to that with the new Dave and Busters (in fact, when the Applebees was proposed I called that out in 42Freeway “I would’ve preferred a more unique eatery for the Outlets… one that would make people drive a little to get to it“. It seems Simon got my message. 🙂

Yes Dave and Busters is coming to the Outlet area, but people regularly comment it would be nice to have more full-restaurant options in the Outlets. Deptford Mall in comparison will have three within the mall after Round One opens, and of course the mall is surrounded by another 10 or so. The Gloucester Premium Outlet Management have not officially purchased a liquor license for the outlets or surrounding land, although maybe they have “Right to purchase” deals with existing GT license holders? As an example of a recent change, we recently reported on the old Bruno’s Glendora license being sold to Founders Grove catering, and also over the years several other unused GT licenses have been purchased.

New Jersey ABC records show there are still three full “33” licenses available in Gloucester Township… although the Shoppes at Cross Keys are promoting having a liquor license available so one would think one of these three are under their control

Pocket License (Unused): Ruby Tuesday

Pocket License (Unused): GT Liquors

Amanda’s Bar None: Closed Bar/Restaurant

Other GT Locations: It’s possible that one or two opened businesses in GT that would be interested in selling their license for a good price. That’s how all the national chain places got their licenses… Deptford’s Krazy Kat license went to Red Robin in the Mall as an example. An interesting side note; the Cherrywood liquor store license is actually a full license and they choose to only be a liquor store. No… Cherrywood is not for sale as far as I know, just saying that license could support a full bar and restaurant. Who remembers the Cherrywood rock club?! Cherrywood has a rarer “32” license which allows them to sell packaged goods outside of the bar area, meaning the packaged beer can be sold from another room or even if the bar is not operational. Compare that to the “33” license where the packaged goods need to be sold in the bar area… which is why you see bars with the glass coolers along a bar wall. Another interesting tidbit… Bobkat liquors in Deptford, Williamstown Discount Liquors, West Deptford Super Buyrite and Towne Liquors in Woodbury, Gloucester City Liquors, Bottle Stop in Gloucester, Canals Lindenwold, and King’s Liquor Outlet are all in the same situation (liquor store only that is allowed to have a bar with their license). Some of these names may have changed or closed!



As an example of other centers proactively jockeying for liquor licenses:

Deptford Mall secured Deptford’s last unused liquor license, presumably for the new Round One. That license itself was held by Benderson development for their never developed Rt 47 shopping center.

Deptford’s Sobelco quickly took over the Don Pablos license and almost as quickly are putting Miller’s Ale House in it’s spot

Shoppes at Cross Keys advertises in leasing literature that they have a liquor license available

The new Washington Square development in Washington Township has a liquor license owned by developer Woodmont. We believe this license is spoken for.

The 10+ year delayed Richwood development in Mullica Hill has been sitting on FOUR licenses and was a key catalyst for the historically dry town approving liquor sales

Only time will tell if Simon Outlets adds more food and bar options in and around the Outlets.