Good morning, South Jersey.
The updated H Mart in Cherry Hill has arrived, and we have a guide of tips and tricks to help you navigate your next visit.
And the owner of Austen’s Shelf, the mobile bookstore, has expanded the business and opened a brick-and-mortar in Bordentown.
Plus, one of the Carolina Panthers who won the Stanley Cup is from Camden County, and more news of the day.
— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)
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How to navigate the new H Mart
The H Mart in Cherry Hill has a new look after 25 years in town.
The renovations of the 39,000-square-foot Asian grocery store includes a food court, bakery, and retail space.
The second floor houses a food court, a mini Korean beauty store, and a general store. The first floor has myriad aisles (numbered for your convenience) full of snacks, produce, oils, seasonings, and so much more.
Reporter Hira Qureshi provides tips for shoppers as she narrates her journey through the store.
Austen’s Shelf has a new home
Austen’s Shelf is no longer exclusively on wheels.
The shop, inspired by novelist Jane Austen, was initially a mobile bookstore when it launched last year. Now, it’s a brick-and-mortar in Bordentown.
After attracting long lines and customers who liked to linger, it didn’t take long for founder Charity Herndon to consider a permanent space. During a stop in Bordentown, her patrons said point-blank: “We need a bookstore like this in town.”
Nationwide, independent bookstores like Herndon’s are gaining popularity.
📚 The rise is evident in the numbers: More than 600 indie bookstore businesses opened in 2025 — an 87% increase compared to the year before, according to the American Booksellers Association.
The Inquirer’s Lisa Dukart details Austen Shelf’s next chapter.
P.S. This story has introduced me to my weekend plans. If you have a favorite local bookshop, please email us and let us know. 📧
What to know today
- Dennis Hall, 71, was charged with first-degree murder after strangling a woman in Franklin Township.
- An ICE officer shot at a vehicle on Route 72 on Monday after the person he was trying to arrest fled in the a car and hit the agent, according to the police.
- A Gloucester Township police officer was charged with first- and third-degree offenses after an investigation into alleged child sex abuse materials, according to 6abc.
- World War II veteran Paul Robbins returned to the Battleship New Jersey in Camden this week to be honored. At 101 years old, he is the last known WWII crew member, according to CBS Philadelphia.
- Eric Robinson was among the Carolina Hurricanes who won the Stanley Cup on Sunday. The star hockey player from Bellmawr is also a friend of the Gaudreau family, NJ.com reports.
- There’s only one practice facility for light saber combat in Jersey, and it’s at the Cherry Hill Health and Racquet Club, according to South Jersey Media.
🗣️ Quote of the week
Ryan Lynch has already proven his proud coach right while playing for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The team is going strong and is set to play Wednesday.
🧠 Trivia time
Who is the Love Island USA contestant from South Jersey on the season that debuted earlier this month?
A) Sincere Rhea
B) Sean Reifel
C) Melanie Moreno
D) Charlie Puth
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re…
❌ Avoiding: Ticks. We’re hitting peak season.
👀 Watching: “Skinny Joey” Merlino’s latest pivot.
🏡 Ogling: This spacious Colonial in Palmyra. (Did you recently buy a home in South Jersey? Share the story of how you did it. Email Inquirer real estate reporters at properties@inquirer.com.)
Thank you for spending your morning with The Inquirer. I’ll see you at the same place at the same time tomorrow.
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