Kibitz Room alleges ‘schmear campaign’ | Inquirer Cherry Hill
Plus, Holly Ravine will become farmland once again.
Hey there, Cherry Hill.
Popular Jewish-style deli the Kibitz Room is facing a $1,000 penalty for allegedly not adequately disclosing its menu isn’t kosher. In other news you should know this week, Holly Ravine will become farmland once again, a Turkish coffeehouse is taking over the former Bistro at Cherry Hill space, and questions remain about the license plate readers the mall is using.
— Laura Smythe and Julie Zeglen (cherryhill@inquirer.com)
Inquirer Cherry Hill
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New Jersey’s Division of Consumer Affairs has brought a $1,000 civil penalty against Cherry Hill deli the Kibitz Room, which has served Jewish-style eats for decades.
At the heart of the dispute is an allegation that the deli is not following a consumer protection rule that requires non-kosher food businesses using words such as “Jewish,” “Hebrew,” or “kosher-style” in advertising to explicitly state they are indeed not kosher.
Manager Brandon Parish, who plans to contest the policy, called it “totally ludicrous” and “a schmear campaign.” Indicators such as Saturday operations and menu items containing shrimp and bacon are “dead giveaways” to would-be customers who keep kosher, he added.
Decades after it shut down, the former Holly Ravine Dairy Farm will become farmland once again.
Springdale Farm on Tuesday night was awarded a bid to grow crops at the property just two miles away at Springdale and Evesham Roads.
The five-year lease is a win for both Springdale and the township, leaders of both say. Cherry Hill’s last active farm will gain nine acres, while the township will continue to maintain open space there.
“This is more than just a lease,” Cherry Hill Mayor David Fleisher said. “The intention is to ensure we had a qualified agricultural steward to the site.”
Read more on Holly Ravine’s legacy and Springdale’s plans for the land.
💡 Community news
Police are investigating a Route 38 crash that killed Cherry Hill resident Michael V. Mancuso, 36, on Thursday night.
As businesses come under public scrutiny for how data from automated license plate readers is being used, the Cherry Hill Mall declined to share details with The Inquirer about the brand of cameras it uses or how many there are at the site.
In case you missed it: A brick-and-mortar Wayfair outpost is slated to open at Market Place at Garden State Park in 2028.
The Subaru dealership in Cherry Hill, newly approved by the township’s planning board, will feature drought-resistant sustainable landscaping designed to match its eco-friendly corporate branding. Here’s what that will look like, according to 70and73.
Nov. 4 is the final day for the Dick’s Sporting Goods location at the Market Place at Garden State Park, The Inquirer confirmed, as the brand prepares to open its 120,000-square-foot Dick’s House of Sport at Cherry Hill Mall soon after.
A No Kings protest is planned for Saturday at the corner of Route 70 and Haddonfield Road as part of the nationwide movement.
🗺️ Other nearby news
A microscopic worm is spreading an invasive disease to the beech trees in Haddon Township’s 25-acre old-growth forest preserve along MacArthur Boulevard. It’s creating a potentially “devastating” scenario for Saddler’s Woods.
🏫 Schools briefing
Updated state health department guidance now requires New Jersey preschoolers to receive an annual flu shot by Nov. 30 — a month sooner than previous mandates. Inquirer reporter Lacey Latch has the details.
🍽️ On our plate
Maya Bohem Coffee, a Turkey-based coffeehouse brand, will open its first U.S. location in the Cherry Hill Mall space formerly occupied for 27 years by the Bistro at Cherry Hill.
Popular smashburger concept 7th Street Burger plans to open an outpost along Cherry Hill’s Haddonfield Road corridor, per South Jersey Food Scene.
🎳 Things to do
🎀 Pretty in Pink Brunch: Put on your favorite shade of pink to sip on mimosas and sing along to live music while raising awareness for breast cancer. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 17, 1-4 p.m. 💵 $15-$92.55 📍 Vera Bar & Grill
🍂 Bethel Fall Fest: Bring the family along to revel in a craft fair, games, music, and local food trucks. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 17, 1-4 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Bethel Baptist Church
🎃 Cherry Hill Harvest Festival: Pick out a free pumpkin, relax in the beer garden, or check out the kids activities. ⏰ Sunday, Oct. 18, noon-4 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Croft Farm
🍁 See more fall events across South Jersey, from the Howl-O-Ween bash at the Animal Welfare Association in Voorhees to the Fintastic Pumpkin Glow at Camden’s Adventure Aquarium.
🏡 On the market
This four-bedroom, three-bathroom house was built in 1965 and features recessed lighting, an updated kitchen, and a brick fireplace. A bay window in the living room offers seating that looks out onto greenery. There is also a backyard lined with trees, plus a one-car garage.
See more photos of the property here.
Price: $625,000 | Size: 2,686 SF | Acreage: 0.29
🗞️ What other Cherry Hill residents are reading this week:
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