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  • More severe storms are possible this week in the Philly region

    More severe storms are possible this week in the Philly region

    Officially the meteorological fall has begun in Philly, and unofficially it’s beginning to feel a lot like August.

    Along with a heat advisory — the heat index hit 100 Tuesday afternoon — the National Weather Service is warning the region may be in for another one of those random storm outbreaks that so characterized August.

    The weather service issued a tornado warning around 9:05 p.m. for areas in central Burlington County — including for the weather service office in Mount Holly. The warning was based on radar imaging.

    Flood warnings were up for Chester, Delaware, Camden, and Gloucester Counties. The Collings Lakes Fire Department reported that “multiple roads” in Williamstown, Monroe Township, were “under water.”

    Storm winds reportedly took down trees and wires in several communities in western Chester County, the weather service said, and a tree fell upon Morgantown Road in the West Nantmeal Township area.

    And a severe thunderstorm watch, for storms with gusts approaching 60 mph, was in effect Tuesday until 11:59 p.m.

    “Our biggest concern is damaging winds,” said Sarah Johnson, warning coordination meteorologist at the weather service’s Mount Holly office. “But we can’t rule out the potential for a tornado.”

    Sound familiar?

    What to expect in the Philly region the next few days

    Outside of snow, almost anything.

    In addition to the Tuesday night watch, strong storms are possible Wednesday, and while probabilities are lower during the day Thursday, Johnson said at least one computer model was showing the potential for a “squall line” of storms to approach the region.

    Clouds likely will hold down temperatures Wednesday, but they are expected to reach 90 or better Thursday and the heat index might shoot past 100.

    Is August expected to end soon?

    The atmosphere is due to start cleaning it up on Friday, and the Labor Day weekend is looking spectacular, with the caveat that it’s only Tuesday.

    However, the next three days are looking more like they belong to the August rinse-repeat cycle.

    Once again, the region is likely to experience “ring of fire” thunderstorms from storm-generating impulses along the edges of heat-producing high pressure, said Chad Merrill, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather Inc.

    The sequence has become familiar since mid-June as the edges of the high pressure retreat and allow the storms to develop.

    An overall result has been a remarkable turnabout in the region’s drought fortunes, even though New Jersey remains under a drought “warning.”

    During what the weather community calls the “meteorological summer,” the June 1 to Aug. 31 period, Philadelphia experienced 17 inches of rain, Merrill said, good for 14th place for the three-month period in records dating to the 1870s.

    The meteorological fall really did begin Tuesday. Not that the atmosphere noticed.

    This story will be updated.

  • Authorities investigating reports of irritating fumes inside Walmart in South Jersey

    Authorities investigating reports of irritating fumes inside Walmart in South Jersey

    Authorities said nearly 20 people were taken to hospitals for evaluations after they were exposed late Tuesday afternoon to irritating fumes inside a Walmart in Deptford Township, a Gloucester County spokesperson said.

    Around 4:15 p.m., people started calling 911 reporting an unknown irritant inside the Walmart on the 800 block of Cooper Street, said Andrew Halter, chief of hazmat for Gloucester County Emergency Response.

    Emergency personnel encountered around 24 people exiting the department store showing signs, such as coughing and raspy throats, of exposure to an unknown irritant, Halter said.

    The store was being investigated by local authorities and by personnel from Walmart, Halter said.

    The store was closed for the night and was scheduled to reopen around 6 a.m. for normal business, though some shelves may be bare because some food, such as produce and baked goods, were removed “out of an abundance of caution,” Halter said.

    The symptoms people showed or reported were “minor in nature,” Halter said, though he could not say if some people were admitted to the hospital for more serious concerns.

    Investigators were reviewing whether the fumes came from something mechanical, or if the exposures happened in one or more sections of the store, Halter said.

    “Right now, there’s no hazards present after everything that we’ve checked, which is key for having the store reoccupied by employees,” he said.

  • An affordable housing complex with 120 apartments in Voorhees seeks planning board approval

    An affordable housing complex with 120 apartments in Voorhees seeks planning board approval

    The developer of an affordable housing apartment complex in Voorhees expects the same heavy demand from potential tenants that he experienced with a similar complex his company opened nearby in April.

    Hundreds of potential tenants fill the waiting list for available apartments at the 81-unit Victory Commons, a $30 million project that held a grand opening on April 30 at 1223 Haddonfield-Berlin Road, said Nicholas J. Cangelosi, regional vice president of The Michaels Organization, the Camden-based national developer of rental properties.

    Cangelosi said he expects far more applicants than openings when his firm opens 120 affordable housing apartments on the 6.6-acre site of the now-vacant L&L Redi Mix concrete company at 600 and 602 Centennial Boulevard.

    Centennial Housing Associates LLC, owned by Michaels, is scheduled to appear before the Voorhees Planning Board on Sept. 9 for preliminary and final site plan approvals for The Oaks at Centennial, which would feature 120 apartments built in two phases. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. after a 6:45 caucus at the Voorhees Township Municipal Building.

    The $50 million Oaks at Centennial project is included in the fourth round of the township’s affordable housing commitment.

    A third Michaels project in Voorhees, a $23 million project with 60 affordable units on Sheppard Road, has been approved by the planning board and awaits financing approval by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, Cangelosi said.

    The total of 261 units developed by Michaels in the town will be sought because families want to live in Voorhees, he said.

    The now-vacant concrete plant on the Voorhees property will be demolished to make way for the apartment complex.Neill Borowski

    Rent for the affordable units will be paid by the tenants, whose incomes must fall under a maximum amount.

    Many of the Victory Commons units have been rented to “essential workers” in the community who are employed in retail, healthcare, and schools, Cangelosi said.

    “They’re the essential backbone of the community,” he said. “They get to live close to where they work,” he added.

    Monthly rent for a two-bedroom unit at the proposed Oaks development for a family earning 60% of Area Median Income would be $1,587. Rent for a one-bedroom unit would be $1,323 and $1,834 for three bedrooms.

    In the developer’s application to the Planning Board, traffic consultant Shropshire Associates LLC of Atco estimates The Oaks would generate 43 extra trips during the morning peak hour and 60 extra trips during the afternoon peak hour.

    New Jersey’s elected leaders are focused on the shortage of housing. Gov. Mikie Sherrill in April signed an Executive Order that called for a housing plan to be delivered in September.

    “We can’t make New Jersey more affordable without making housing more affordable,” Sherrill said in a statement when she signed the order. “With this Executive Order, we are aligning every tool at our disposal to accelerate housing production and make it easier for families to put down roots in the communities they love,” she said.

    70and73.com is a hyperlocal news site focused on South Jersey, including the communities of Cherry Hill, Evesham, Mount Laurel, Voorhees, Medford, Medford Lakes, and Moorestown.

  • Could Collingswood lose Knight Park if its liquor ban is lifted? We dig into the ‘persistent rumor’

    Could Collingswood lose Knight Park if its liquor ban is lifted? We dig into the ‘persistent rumor’

    As Collingswood residents consider the prospect of finally permitting alcohol sales in the borough, the discussion has revived a long-standing concern that the move would put the sprawling Knight Park at risk.

    Legend has it that the continued ban of liquor sales in Collingswood, which dates back to 1873, was a stipulation when the park was dedicated in 1888. If alcohol sales were ever permitted, the story goes that the nearly 70-acre park would cease to be a public asset and would be sold to developers.

    With Collingswood voters set to decide on the future of alcohol sales in November, questions about the potential impact on Knight Park have swirled on social media and reached borough officials.

    “Knight’s Park [sic] existence depends on the longtime tradition of Collingswood being a dry town,” one person wrote on Facebook.

    “I recall hearing that if Collingswood was no longer a ‘dry town’ they would lose Knight’s Park [sic] as that was part of the agreement when the family donated it. Anybody know if this is true?” another person asked.

    So, is there any truth to the rumor? No, according to officials.

    “It’s an old wives tale,” borough administrator Cassandra Duffey said in an email. “There is no relationship between Knight Park and liquor licenses.”

    Duffey, a 20-year resident of the borough, said she’s not sure of the rumor’s origin and that it predated her arrival in Collingswood.

    “I’ve had to dispel this rumor every year I’ve been here,” she said.

    The triangle-shaped park in the center of the borough was gifted by businessperson Edward C. Knight, in memory of his parents, according to the park’s website.

    The park has been overseen by an independent seven-person board of trustees that works with the borough to coordinate and run local sports leagues and public events.

    Bordered by Browning Road and Collings and Park Avenues, Knight Park boasts athletic fields, a walking and biking path, a playground, and a pond. Over the years, the park’s popular gazebo has become a local destination for weddings and other celebrations.

    Like other public parks in Collingswood and across South Jersey, alcohol is not permitted — though that appears to be the only alcohol-related rule officially connected to the property.

    The future of Knight Park has no connection to liquor sales in the borough, Collingswood officials emphasized.

    “It’s a persistent rumor, but only that,” Duffey said.

  • The godfather of US sports betting | Inquirer South Jersey

    The godfather of US sports betting | Inquirer South Jersey

    Good morning, South Jersey.

    Chris Christie is best known for his political career as a former New Jersey governor, presidential candidate, and U.S. attorney. But his most lasting impact could be his role in setting the stage for the rise of sports betting in the United States.

    And Asianfresh Food Market is set for the grand opening of its location in Cherry Hill next week.

    Plus, the mayor of Barrington hopes the International Paper plant could turn into a cannabis business, and more news of the day.

    — Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

    P.S. Ask your questions about the region through Curious South Jersey. It might turn into a story someday.

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    Chris Christie’s sports betting legacy

    Former Gov. Chris Christie began his push for legalized sports gambling through state law in 2012. But he didn’t officially win his crusade until 2018, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a federal law that gave states the freedom to enact their own sports-betting laws.

    In a recent interview, he said he did not foresee sports gambling’s evolution and the rise of prediction markets supported by the Trump family.

    “I don’t think I could ever have anticipated that it would be in everybody’s pocket,” Christie said. “That’s a little bit disturbing to me, to tell you the truth, the proliferation of it. And obviously prediction markets have been very disturbing to me, particularly because they market to teenagers, which is strictly prohibited for the legal gaming companies.”

    Read the full interview with The Inquirer’s David Gambacorta, including Christie’s thoughts on the Supreme Court’s potential future involvement in the industry.

    Asianfresh Food Market is coming to Cherry Hill

    Chinatown’s Asianfresh Food market is set to open a location in Cherry Hill, 2 miles away from the recently revamped H Mart.

    Just like the original location, the new store will offer specialty products and seasonal items imported from across Asia.

    Its grand opening will be held Sept. 12. The international grocery store is planning to host giveaways, contests, and more to celebrate the new chapter.

    Reporter Lacey Latch has the story.

    What to know today

    • Barrington Mayor Kyle Hanson said recent legislative moves to expand, regulate, and tax sales for cannabis businesses aim to entice them to move into the International Paper facility that was set to close Monday.
    • A fire caused the second floor of an apartment in Deptford to collapse. Officials said at least nine apartments were damaged or lost to the fire, but no one was injured, NBC10 reports.
    • The Subaru of Cherry Hill dealership plans to move to the site that was once the corporate headquarters of Subaru of America until it moved to Camden in 2018, according to 70and73.
    • Camden County released its latest list of roadwork projects, and residents in Camden and Cherry Hill should be prepared to take the most detours this week.
    • New owners are taking over The Ice Cream Boutique in Bordentown.

    🗣️ Quote of the week

    Abrams’ nonprofit, BookSmiles, outgrew its third location and is expanding into a 14,000-square-foot space in Cherry Hill. It will allow the organization to distribute 5 million books per year to schools and teachers.

    🧠 Trivia time

    Originally from Burlington County, Jordan Gershowitz is a two-time Emmy-nominated writer and the story editor of Netflix children’s series Hot Wheels Let’s Race. Which township is he from?

    A) Westampton

    B) Pemberton

    C) Woodland

    D) Bordentown

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re …

    💭 Wondering: Are you a seasonal-creep Grinch?

    🏠 Ogling: An unplugged beach cottage in Ocean City with no Wi-Fi. (Is your house a “Haven”? Nominate your home by email — and send some digital photographs — at properties@inquirer.com.)

    🚙 Learning: How to ditch our cars (as much as possible).

    Thanks for starting your morning with The Inquirer. I’ll see you tomorrow. 👋🏽

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

  • Subaru is planning to relocate its Cherry Hill dealership

    Subaru is planning to relocate its Cherry Hill dealership

    In a case of corporate déjà vu, the Subaru of Cherry Hill dealership plans to move from one side of Route 70 to the eastbound side on about 14 vacant acres that held the corporate headquarters of Subaru of America until its 2018 move to Camden.

    The new Subaru dealership, first approved in 2023 by the Cherry Hill Planning Board, now requires amended plans that include site design changes to reflect New Jersey Department of Environment Protection flood hazard regulations. The Cooper River is across Park Boulevard from the property.

    Subaru’s amended application is scheduled to be considered by the board at its Sept. 8 online meeting, which begins with a caucus at 7 p.m. The showroom, service area, and other offices will occupy a 67,035-square-foot building footprint that includes a 21,840-square-foot showroom and 36,350-square-foot service area. Site plans call for 658 parking spaces, of which 454 will be used to store Subaru’s car inventory.

    The five-story, $18-million Subaru corporate headquarters on Route 70 opened in 1986 and was demolished in 2019 after the corporation’s 2018 move to a new $118-million home in Camden.

    The site plan for the new Subaru dealership in Cherry Hill. Route 70 is at top and Park Boulevard at the bottom.Subaru's application to the Cherry Hill Planning Board

    Subaru’s headquarters wasn’t the most famous building to occupy the 2235 Route 70 site.

    The Latin Casino, where some of the most famous entertainers of the day performed, opened there in 1960 and was demolished in the early 1980s.

    Steve Martin, Tom Jones, Dean Martin, Dionne Warwick, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, and Johnny Mathis performed at the 1,500-seat dinner club in Cherry Hill, according to website Concert Archives. Rhythm and blues singer Jackie Wilson in 1975 was performing on stage when he had a massive heart attack that left him in and out of comas until his death in 1984.

    The Subaru dealership plans originally were approved by the Planning Board in 2023. Star Real Estate of Cherry Hill II LLC, the developer at the time, assigned its approvals to Subaru of America Inc. and Subaru Insurance Agency Inc., which are now developing the site, according to the township. The current dealership is at 1800 Route 70 westbound.

    An operations statement from the developer says the site will have about 35 employees in the sales area and about 45 employees in the parts and service area, according to township records.

    Test drives would turn right onto Park Boulevard, turn right at the Audi dealership, and left at the light onto Route 70, according to the application. Drivers would go to the Wawa in Pennsauken and turn around and come back on Route 70.

    Landscaping at the new dealership will be designed by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and will be consistent with Subaru branding and similar to the Camden headquarters, according to the dealer’s application.

    70and73.com is a hyperlocal news site focused on South Jersey, including the communities of Cherry Hill, Evesham, Mount Laurel, Voorhees, Medford, Medford Lakes, and Moorestown.

  • Asianfresh Food Market is expanding from Chinatown to Cherry Hill

    Asianfresh Food Market is expanding from Chinatown to Cherry Hill

    Chinatown’s popular Asianfresh Food Market is bringing its fresh produce, seafood, and hard-to-find Asian imports to Cherry Hill.

    The specialty market is preparing to open its second location at 2005 Route 70 East, less than two miles away from the newly renovated H Mart.

    Like its two-story flagship on 10th Street between Race and Cherry Streets in Philadelphia, the new store will be stocked with specialty products and seasonal items imported from across Asia.

    Asianfresh Food Market will be holding a grand opening for the new store on Sept. 12 at 11 a.m., said spokesperson Karen Louie. The details for the event are still being finalized, Louie said, but they are planning to have giveaways, contests, and more to celebrate the store’s opening.

    Throughout the summer, the grocer has been posting periodic updates on social media showing stocked shelves and full seafood tanks as they prepare for visitors.

    By late last week, the exterior Asianfresh sign was up on the building and rows of branded shopping carts were lined up and waiting for shoppers. A flier indicating that the store is hiring for all departments was taped to the front doors, the view inside blocked by brown construction paper.

    Shopping carts are lined up outside of Asianfresh Food Market’s new location in Cherry Hill on Aug. 28, 2026.Lacey Latch

    The Asianfresh expansion comes not long after the Korean grocery store H Mart reopened in June following extensive upgrades, including a new food court, bakery, and beauty shop.

    The efforts by both international grocery stores to enhance their offerings in South Jersey reflects the growing demand for these products in the area and nationwide.

    The number of Asian residents in Cherry Hill Township grew by 32% between 2014 and 2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

    The township’s population was in line with national trends as Asian Americans remain the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the U.S.

    The openings also come at a time when Asian grocery staples like ghee, miso, chili oils, and more are becoming increasingly popular with non-Asian shoppers.

    Sales from the “Asian/ethnic aisle” commonly found in American grocery stores jumped almost four times more than overall sales between April 2023 and April 2024, according to the New York Times, citing data from market research company Circana.

  • Expanded weed rules could let Barrington’s shuttered International Paper plant become a cannabis business, mayor says

    Expanded weed rules could let Barrington’s shuttered International Paper plant become a cannabis business, mayor says

    Barrington has introduced three ordinances that would expand, regulate, and tax sales for cannabis businesses.

    Kyle Hanson, Barrington’s mayor, said the legislative moves are an effort to make the borough’s International Paper facility, which was set to close Monday, attractive to cannabis companies that could move in.

    The Memphis-based company with nearly 200 facilities across the country announced this summer that its Barrington plant would close in the third quarter of 2026 as part of its restructuring plan and lay off 126 workers.

    Amy Simpson, an International Paper spokesperson, said Monday was the last production date for the Barrington facility.

    While no cannabis business (or others) have approached Barrington about taking over the facility, Hanson said he brought the idea to the borough’s council in the hope that broadening permitted uses could bring more economic development to the closing facility and vacant properties in the district.

    “The decision was more about being proactive with our zoning and giving ourselves additional options as we prepare for the loss of a long-time town business,” Hanson said by email.

    The package, which had its first reading by Barrington’s council on Aug. 11, would allow cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, and delivery establishments, along with cannabis wholesalers and retailers already permitted in the borough, to operate in the manufacturing district. The proposal would allow cannabis delivery companies to work in the business commercial district, too.

    The borough would apply a 2% municipal transfer tax to sales by those businesses, except cannabis wholesalers, which would get a 1% tax. One ordinance also sets conditions, including that the facilities would be more than 200 feet away from educational buildings and other cannabis plants and more than 50 feet from residential neighborhoods.

    International Paper has other facilities in South Jersey, including in Bellmawr, West Deptford, and Vineland.

    Simpson said the site at 100 E. Gloucester Pike isn’t currently on the market, but a sale should come in mid-2027. She did not answer whether an agreement is currently in place for the property.

    The ordinances are scheduled for a public hearing and vote on Sept. 8. at a borough council meeting. Hanson said council unanimously agreed to move forward with the ordinances for a vote, so he expects all members to approve.

  • 🍻 A brewery for their neighbors | Inquirer South Jersey

    🍻 A brewery for their neighbors | Inquirer South Jersey

    Good morning, South Jersey.

    A husband-and-wife duo didn’t want their local drinking spot to shut down for good — so they bought it.

    And a petroleum distributor filed a federal lawsuit claiming that some Freedom Fuel stations have been able to sell gas at low prices partially because of fuel for which it didn’t pay.

    Plus, take a peek inside the bakery that helped Cherry Hill native Dominic Sessa transform into Anthony Bourdain, and more news of the day.

    — Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    A new neighborhood brewery in Woodbury

    After a decade, Eight & Sand Brewing Co. in Woodbury closed its doors in June.

    But a local husband-and-wife duo, Colleen Gibson and John Wagner, will soon open a new one in its place, Freckled Jawn Brewing.

    Rather than lose their local drinking spot, they bought it and aim to serve their neighbors.

    Before their expected opening in October, they’re working on $40,000 worth of renovations and adding new furniture.

    Expect dim lighting, an electric fireplace, and a bit of Philly sports.

    The indoor tasting room can hold 77 people and the expanded patio area is expected to accommodate 150 to 200 people.

    The Inquirer’s Sarah Nicell has more details, including the inspiration behind the name and the brewery’s initial beers.

    Allegations of unpaid fuel bills

    Mansfield Oil Co. of Gainesville Inc. filed a civil suit in federal court alleging it provided $4 million worth of gasoline to multiple Freedom Fuel gas stations for which it was never compensated.

    The suit goes on to claim that the fuel in question is at least one of the reasons why the network has been able to sell gas cheaply. Freedom Fuel has been promoted by President Donald Trump.

    According to the suit, KRSM president Syed Kazmi, requested and took 1.12 million gallons of gasoline and then sold it to several stations that are part of the Freedom Fuel Network without ever paying for it.

    Kazmi and his brother, Cherry Hill developer Shamikh Kazmi, are connected to at least eight of the Freedom Fuel’s 29 locations.

    Reporters Frank Kummer and Rob Tornoe have the story.

    What to know today

    • A Philly-based federal appeals court on Friday ruled that ICE’s controversial policy mandating detention for nearly all undocumented immigrants is unlawful. The ruling took immediate effect in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    • According to the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, a Paulsboro man was sentenced Friday to more than three decades in state prison for sexually assaulting an underage girl in 2023.
    • The Camden school district dropped its uniform policy at its five high schools and replaced it with a dress code.
    • Cherry Hill native and actor Dominic Sessa who plays the title role in the A24 Anthony Bourdain biopic, Tony, spent four summers working at a bakery in Ocean City. He pulled from that experience to help him get into character.
    • Absenteeism rates among Cherry Hill’s school district’s pre-K students are almost at the same level as high school seniors, according to 70and73.
    • The typical homeowner in New Jersey has one of the highest levels of housing wealth compared to other states. It made the top five states where homeowners report having the most home equity.
    • Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed legislation Friday that permanently allows the sale and delivery of to-go alcoholic beverages.
    • Asianfresh Food Market in Cherry Hill announced its soft opening on Thursday and its grand opening on Sept. 12, 42 Freeway reports.

    🧠 Trivia time

    Which former Disney star performed in Atlantic City last Friday?

    A) Miley Cyrus

    B) Demi Lovato

    C) Selena Gomez

    D) Hilary Duff

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re …

    🍿 Watching: Steel Magnolias at AMC Voorhees 16 in honor of the country music icon Dolly Parton.

    🏈 Tasting: Bird Gang Spirits’ new line of Eagles tailgate-themed canned cocktails.

    💭 Reminiscing on: Childhood memories playing with a Slinky.

    📬 Your South Jersey view

    The fountains run on the lake at Laurel Acres Park in Mount Laurel during an August afternoon.Taylor Allen

    The popular Laurel Acres Park in Mount Laurel always brings a crowd typically on the weekends with its baseball fields, natural trails, playgrounds, and more.

    What does your community look like? What South Jersey memory would you like to share? Submit a photo and/or a brief description for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

    🗞️ What other South Jersey residents are reading

    I hope you have a wonderful start to your week. I’ll have more news for you tomorrow.

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

  • A South Jersey couple will open Freckled Jawn Brewing just in time for Oktoberfest

    A South Jersey couple will open Freckled Jawn Brewing just in time for Oktoberfest

    Woodbury residents John Wagner and Colleen Gibson never planned to own a brewery.

    But when the husband-and-wife duo heard that their local drinking spot, Eight & Sand Beer Co. at 1003 N. Evergreen Ave., was up for sale last September, Wagner said they didn’t want to see a place so close to home shut down for good. They spoke with their neighbor, Woodbury’s former mayor Peg Hertrich, who connected them with the 10-year-old brewery’s owners.

    The exterior of the new Freckled Jawn Brewing on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 in Woodbury, NJ.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    “We never got an answer or a reason why not… so here we are,” Wagner, 53, said. “Fast forward almost a year later, and we’re getting ready to open.”

    The couple, together for 12 years, officially closed on the 4,300-square-foot brewery (that includes the brewhouse) in Gloucester County in early August, months after Eight & Sand closed. The $730,000 sale, Wagner said, included brewery equipment and a vacant lot behind the building, which will help the couple expand the property’s beer garden come spring.

    The in-progress interior of Freckled Jawn Brewing.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    Wagner and Gibson hope to open Freckled Jawn Brewing in the first week of October. An official date will come in the next couple of weeks, as they continue $40,000 of renovations and add new furniture to make the space feel less industrial and more inviting. Details will include leather and wood accents, an electric fireplace, dim lighting, and hopefully a touch of Philly sports.

    “I just want the community to have somewhere they can go that they’re excited and proud to have in the neighborhood,” Wagner said.

    The new brewery acquired Eight & Sand’s liquor license within 17 days of closing on the property, Wagner said, so Freckled Jawn has been clear to brew beer since Aug. 21.

    The in-progress interior of Freckled Jawn Brewing on Aug. 27, 2026, in Woodbury, N.J.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    Three years ago, before their recent venture, the couple installed a basement bar in their South Jersey home for friends and family. They like to host St. Patrick’s Day parties.

    They affectionately called the bar “Freckled Jawn Tavern,” Wagner’s 2 a.m. brainchild. The name was inspired by Gibson’s own freckles and the way she pronounces her husband’s name, John, as the multipurpose Philly term “Jawn,” a symptom of her Jersey accent. The new brewery kept it.

    A Freckled Jawn Brewing tap in the in-progress brewery.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    “He calls me his ‘freckled jawn’ because I’m his anything and everything,” Gibson, 44, said.

    Plus, the couple has two freckled dogs, Neo and Trinity, adoptees named after The Matrix characters, who will be welcome in the brewery’s pet-friendly beer garden when it opens next year.

    Neo (top) and Trinity (bottom) are the unofficial mascots of Freckled Jawn Brewing in Woodbury, Gloucester County, set to open in October 2026.Colleen Gibson

    The brewery’s indoor tasting room has capacity for 77 people, while the expanded patio area will fit between 150 to 200 people, Wagner said.

    Wagner and Gibson plan to run the brewery while continuing their jobs as managers in supply chain distribution and in transportation, respectively, in the Philly region, Gibson said. They’ll manage a staff under 10 to start, which will include some of their children, and head brewer Matt Karg.

    The in-progress interior of Freckled Jawn Brewing.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    Karg, 37, moved to Philadelphia with his partner in July to be closer to family, and the head brewer position happened to open at the perfect time. He started brewing when he got out of the U.S. Coast Guard and went to North Carolina’s Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College to learn brewing, distillation, and fermentation.

    He previously brewed for Hickory Nut Gorge Brewery in Chimney Rock, North Carolina, before the spot was destroyed by Hurricane Helene in 2024, and then for Hi-Wire Brewing in Asheville. He said he’s eager to introduce people to Freckled Jawn’s Oktoberfest beer, made just in time for the fall opening.

    “The New Jersey brewing scene is a close-knit community, which we’ve learned and loved. But everyone knows everyone,” Wagner said. “They almost know every brewer, so it’s exciting that nobody knows this guy.”

    Ready for something new, Karg said his hope for the brewery is simple.

    “Good beers and a good environment to sit and hang out for awhile,” he said.

    The brewery started on an Oktoberfest lager, Wagner said, since it takes the longest to brew. Freckled Jawn will also serve a light lager, an IPA, a blonde ale, and a stout.

    “We’ll continue to expand,” Wagner said. “But we don’t want to wait too long to open.”

    Freckled Jawn Brewing’s hours will be 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday; noon to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday.