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Applebee’s coming to Gloucester Premium Outlets

Applebee’s coming to Gloucester Premium Outlets
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The August 9th Planning Board Meeting at Gloucester Township included a discussion on adding an Applebee’s to the Gloucester Premium Outlet shopping center, which would be the shopping destinations first restaurant offering alcohol.

The new Applebee’s will not be in the main walkable section of the center.   There are allocated lots between Route 42 and the shopping center, designated as 2 different lots but able to fit up to 5 buildings, according to documents submitted to the Planning Board.   The developer is targeting restaurants, banks, and additional stores.

The new restaurant will 6,400 square feet and seat 225 people.   The hours are targeted to be till 11pm during the week and 1am on Friday and Saturday.

While the documents provided by the Planning Board reference a site plan, the nicely prepared PDF of all the documents does not include one.

It is a big win for the Gloucester Outlets, as a center such as theirs really needs nice sit down dining options that offer alcohol.   The Deptford Mall, which is their obvious largest competitor, has over a dozen dining options surrounding the mall and really enhances eating options for shoppers.

To close, while I am excited to see the continued growth in the shopping center, I’ll break from my usual “happy information only” writing style to say I’m a little disappointed that it’s an Applebee’s.   Don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of Applebee’s and we visit several times a year.  I’ve had more than my share of their Perfect Margaritas.   Its just that in the 42Freeway readership area, there is one in every major town and neighborhood.  I would’ve preferred a more unique eatery for the Outlets… one that would make people drive a little to get to it.   I mean, if you are 2 miles away in Deptford, Washington Twp, or Sicklerville Cross-Keys, are you going to drive to the Outlet’s Applebee’s when you have one in your own town right around the corner?   People do drive to Deptford to go to Red Robin, Don Pablos, Red Lobster, etc.   Sales will be good at the new Outlet’s eatery, but I wonder if another restaurant would’ve had more success.