Why is everyone so obsessed with the new Roy Rogers? | Inquirer Cherry Hill
Plus, the school district finds arsenic in the soil at two construction sites.
Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋
Excitement over Roy Rogers’ return is still sky-high, with the restaurant drawing diners in search of nostalgia. Also this week, the school district found arsenic in the soil at two of its construction sites, the township is installing new sidewalks, and a Mexican chain is expanding to Cherry Hill.
It’s been a few months since we first launched this newsletter, and we want to hear from you. How are we doing? Tell us by taking our survey or emailing us at cherryhill@inquirer.com.
If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.
Roy Rogers is back after nearly three decades. And six weeks after its return to South Jersey, the excitement for the new spot hasn’t dimmed.
Diners are waiting in long lines and going out of their way to visit the fast food chain on Haddonfield Road in Cherry Hill, all to get a taste of nostalgia. Cherry Hill resident Diane Polito hadn’t been to a Roy Rogers since she was a child, but she was eager to bring her kids inside this week to get the full Fixin’s Bar experience.
Another customer this week told The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner that they “made a detour” just to visit the spot.
Read more about what’s drawing visitors from near and far.
💡 Community News
One Cherry Hill is now little more than rubble as the demolition of the office building makes way for a new 120,000-square-foot Dick’s House of Sport next to the mall. The redevelopment comes at a time when many offices in the Cherry Hill area are sitting vacant. (Courier Post)
Actor Gary Busey pleaded guilty last week to fourth-degree criminal sexual contact for inappropriately touching a woman at the Monster-Mania convention at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cherry Hill Philadelphia in August 2022. In exchange for Busey’s guilty plea, prosecutors will dismiss three other counts of criminal sexual contact and one count of attempted criminal sexual contact. He is scheduled for sentencing in September and faces one to five years of probation and fines.
The township has plans to install several sidewalks as part of a nearly $1.9 million project aimed at improving pedestrian safety. Plans call for adding a 5-foot-wide sidewalk from Kresson Road to Short Hills Drive this fall, a sidewalk on the east side of Haddonfield-Berlin Road from Evesham Road to South Mansfield Boulevard, and an extension of the sidewalk from Graham to Sherwood Avenues along Mercer Street. When complete, there will be a sidewalk along Mercer Street from Route 70 to Chapel Avenue. (70 and 73)
Discounted shoe store pop-up, The Warehouse Sale, opens in Cherry Hill this week for a 10-day run. The roving retailer is setting up shop at 1590 Kings Highway North in the former home of Buy Buy Baby. The pop-up will run from Friday through next Sunday, Aug. 17 and will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., Sundays from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. It will be closed on Monday.
Cherry Hill-raised musician Adam Weiner was back in the area last week when his band Low Cut Connie performed in King of Prussia, delivering a raucous rock and soul set, The Inquirer’s Dan DeLuca reports. The performance comes about a month after the band was replaced at a Wilkes-Barre festival for political reasons. Weiner didn’t shy away from politics at his latest show, though. DeLuca has more on what Weiner had to say to fans about the current climate.
The Rite Aid on Cooper Landing Road is closing on Aug. 24 as the pharmacy chain winds down operations as part of its bankruptcy. (Courier Post)
The Cherry Hill Fire Department is hosting a child seat safety check event on Friday from 9 a.m. until noon at the Deer Park Station. At the drop-in event, technicians will inspect car seats for proper installation, check for recalls, and ensure your child’s seat is the right size for their height and weight.
The township is looking for volunteers to join upcoming trail clean-up efforts, including one this Saturday. Learn more and register here.
Camden County will spray for mosquitos tomorrow on more than two dozens roads in Cherry Hill.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Soil samples collected last week from construction sites at Estelle V. Malberg Early Childhood Center and Joyce Kilmer Elementary School were found to have arsenic “spot readings” exceeding acceptable levels, the district announced. The contamination is believed to stem from the locations’ previous use as farmland, where fertilizer was used and stored. The district is working with engineers and the Department of Environmental Protection on remediation.
Applications are now open for the Federal School Meal program for the upcoming academic year.
🍽️ On our Plate
Two new Cherry Hill spots, Tacoria and Sushi Boss, are among the region’s most anticipated restaurant openings this month. Sushi Boss has already opened, and Tacoria is planning a mid-August opening. Additionally, Cherry Hill native Mark Bucher is opening the ninth location of Medium Rare, his casual restaurant-bar that specializes in prix-fixe steak frites, The Inquirer’s Michael Klein reports.
PHL17’s Weekend Philler recently featured Mechanical Brewery on its program, checking in with owner James Griffin and head brewer and manager Rick Vickers. They discussed the brewery’s 40 rotating taps, their inspiration, and more.
🎳 Things to Do
🍉 Cocomelon Skate Party: The party will have rainbow snow cones, a watermelon hop, coloring contest, and an appearance from a Cocomelon character. ⏰ Thursday, Aug. 7, 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. 💵 $6 admission, plus $6 skate rental fee 📍 Hot Wheelz
🛟 Teen/Tween Night: The Cherry Valley Swim Club is only open to kids ages 10 to 17 during this event, which includes pizza and drinks. Mr. Softee will also stop by, but ice cream isn’t included in the entry fee. ⏰ Thursday, Aug. 7, 6 p.m. 💵 $10 at the door 📍 Cherry Valley Swim Club
📖 Pop-Up Story Time in the Park: A Cherry Hill librarian will read to kids outdoors, weather permitting. ⏰ Friday, Aug. 8, 10-10:30 a.m. 💵 Free 📍 Croft Farm
🫧 Family Fun Night: Kids can enjoy open play time, an interactive bubble show, and sand art activities at this event that includes a pizza dinner. ⏰ Friday, Aug. 8, 5:30 p.m. 💵 $30-$40 📍 Wild Child Play Co.
🪖 New Jersey Collectors Convention: G.I. Joe and Transformers action figures take center stage at this two-day event, where other vintage and current figures will also be available. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 9-Sunday, Aug. 10, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Holiday Inn Philadelphia-Cherry Hill
📚 Pop-Up Book Fair: Browse a range of children’s books at this pop-up event. ⏰ Wednesday, Aug. 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Penn Medicine Cherry Hill
🏡 On the Market
You don’t need a passport to enjoy Mediterranean design thanks to this Northwoods home’s design. The home features a front courtyard with numerous archways, including some on an enclosed terrace accessible from the bedrooms. Inside, the home has a two-story foyer with a chandelier, living, family, and dining rooms, and an updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. There are four bedrooms on the second floor, including a primary suite with flex space, an updated bathroom, and access to the balcony. The home also has a fenced backyard and a two-car garage that’s been converted into studio and storage space. There are open houses Saturday from noon until 2 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.
Price: $600,000 | Size: 2,738 SF | Acreage: 0.21
Have you seen an interesting listing in or around Cherry Hill? Share it with us in an email to cherryhill@inquirer.com.
🗣️ We want to hear from you!
See something we’re missing? Want to alert us about a community event? Take our survey or reach out to us at cherryhill@inquirer.com.
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.
This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.