Tour Jersey’s islands on the Delaware | Inquirer South Jersey
And Spencer’s future plans go beyond the mall.
Good morning, South Jersey.
Today, we invite you to take a virtual tour of the islands in or near New Jersey along the Delaware River.
And Spencer’s, the South Jersey-headquartered novelty store, has plans for a future beyond a trip to the mall.
Plus, the Freedom Fuel gas station network looks to expand despite rising prices, and more news of the day.
— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)
P.S. Our team is here to answer questions big and small about the region. Share them here and one of our reporters might pick it up for our Curious South Jersey initiative.
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The Delaware River is home to about 123 islands as it simultaneously creates a border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Some are sandbars, others have acres of land, and a few aren’t technically islands anymore because they’ve been reattached to mainland by nature or human engineering.
🏞 Chester and Monds Islands: New Jersey Audubon owns these two islands that have become a haven for birds. They’re off the coast of Gloucester County.
🏞 Petty’s Island: Indigenous Lenni-Lenape people were the original inhabitants of this land right off Pennsauken. Its local lore includes stories about Blackbeard docking there and Benjamin Franklin spending a night.
🏞 Amico Island: The Burlington County-owned park in Delran includes forests, a river shoreline, and meadows.
Tour the rest of the islands on the Delaware River via our latest interactive.
Mall culture and consumer behavior may have changed, but Spencer’s continues to thrive.
The first brick-and-mortar store opened in 1963 at the Cherry Hill Mall. Since then, it has expanded and young adults have had a dedicated place to buy band T-shirts, lava lamps, and other trendy items.
There are more than 650 Spencer’s stores across the United States and Canada, and the company’s CEO said revenue has grown 50% since 2019.
Recently, the South Jersey-based novelty item retailer moved into a new spot at Cherry Hill with 1,000 more square feet of space.
Reporter Sarah Nicell explains why Spencer’s continues to be a staple.
What to know today
Freedom Fuel, the gas station chain promoted by President Donald Trump, says it has plans to expand but seems to no longer provide notably discounted prices. The currently operating 25 locations include West Berlin and Marlton.
A federal jury convicted an Easthampton Township man for having illicit conversations with who he believed to be a 14-year-old girl while he was serving as an Air Force captain, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazier said Monday.
U.S. Sen. Andy Kim will soon introduce MediKids, a universal healthcare plan that would cover every child in the country. It would be automatic at birth and cover young people until age 26.
New Jersey’s new e-bike rules are now in full effect, according to New Jersey Monitor. Under a law passed in January, riders must obtain a license, registration, and in some cases, insurance now that the grace period has ended.
The Camden-based company Holtec Nuclear Corp. is planning an IPO with an aim to increase the sales of its small nuclear plants and liquid batteries.
Legislators in South Jersey asked the Department of Transportation to examine Route 55’s design after 10 fatal crashes in the past four years along the Gloucester County portion, according to NJ.com.
A former Rite Aid in Clayton might become an AutoZone, 42 Freeway reports. A “zombie” Blackwood Rite Aid became a fitness center, and another will become the same in Cherry Hill.
According to health officials, New Jersey recorded 46 cases of cyclosporiasis between May 1 and July 16, a typical amount. It’s unclear if any of these incidents were a result of people eating Taylor Farm products, the produce company at the center the recent food safety investigation.
Camden is expected to see the state’s biggest home value surge of 4% by September, NJ.com reports.
🗣️ Quote of the week
Blake Zielinski is the latest South Jersey native drafted into the NHL. He will play for the Los Angeles Kings.
🧠 Trivia time
U.S. Andy Kim is the first U.S. senator from South Jersey since 1955. Where does he live now?
A) Magnolia
B) Woodbury
C) Washington Township
D) Moorestown
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
🌲 Viewing: Our staff photographer Tom Gralish’s detours through the Pine Barrens Byway.
📚 Choosing: My next beach read.
🥊 Walking: By the Jersey Joe Walcott statue on the Camden waterfront.
And that’s been the news to start your day. I’ll see you in your inbox tomorrow.
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