Most recently the building was known as Artist House Studio, but into the late 90s it was a PNC Bank branch. Up next for this prime Bellmawr corner is a new Chipotle restaurant, which moved a step closer to fruition with the demolition of the old bank building this week.
The placement of the Chipotle in the lot may have people thinking “oh I wouldn’t have thought that”. Well read on to understand clearly, as we have the site plans!
Anne at South Jersey Observer had the announcement back in September 2020, when the Mayor announced at the Council Meeting that Chipotle was interested in the corner property.
Chipotle:
Chipotle is a well known “fast casual” Mexican restaurant, featuring a simple multi-step process of ordering… pick your style (Taco Shell, Burrito), Meat (Chicken, Steak, Veggie), Beans and other veggies, cheese.. etc.
They’re on an expansion spree in our area, with locations in Deptford, Sicklerville, Voorhees, Cherry Hill… and new locations just opened in Washington Township, and Glassboro! Yet another is proposed for the former Denny’s property on Blackwood Clementon Road, in Gloucester Township.
The new Bellmawr location seems to be a very strategic location, with Exit 3 of the New Jersey Turnpike a half mile South on the Black Horse Pike, and Route 295 exit sits a half mile to the North! Not to mention a ton of local traffic and residents.
Changing the Intersection
For the last 2 decades the building at the corner of Black Horse Pike and Browning Road in Bellmawr was known as Artist House Studio… a professional portrait photography studio.
Information found online says Artist House traced their roots back to 1972, but they moved into the Bellmawr location around 2000… and just a few years ago the Bellmawr Artist House location closed.
Originally though the building was developed as a PNC Bank branch! And yes, the vault was still in the building… and also had to be demolished/removed!
A very recognizable aspect of the PNC Bank building that they were housed in, was that it sat very close to the intersection… with the front doors opening directly into the corner and sidewalk at the intersection, and large glass windows for customers to walk by and peer in.
This all fit the theme of when the area was developed 50+ years ago. In fact, across the street where the Royal Farms is located… that Royal Farms corner at one time also had a 60s era building up close to the sidewalk, when Bellmawr Drugs was located there.
But times are changing and so is the retail industry.
When Chipotle is developed, I think people will be very surprised at its placement in the lot, and how much that heavily traveled intersection opens up… just like when Walgreens/Royal Farms took over the other corner.
I’ve gone a long way to say that where we were all accustomed to seeing the old bank building, will be a wedge of parking.
The full Chipotle lot extends fairly close to the Club diner, and the developers have chosen to place the new Chipotle building next to, and in line with the Club Diner!
And yes, this new Bellmawr location will also feature the Chipotlane drive-up “pickup only” window!
There will still be room for parking on the side of the club diner up against the building, as well as a shared in-property access road from the Black Horse Pike between the buildings. But things will feel a little tighter than what we were used to!
The main parking for the Chipotle will head towards the intersection corner, but I am sure many patrons will slip into the Club Diner spots along the left side of the Diner.
And the long rows of parking behind the diner which runs the entire block from Browning Road to W Chestnut? That’s all Diner parking also.
A timeline for opening is not available at this time.
Links and Location
Chipotle Bellmawr – Under Construction
2 North Black Horse Pike
Bellmawr NJ 08031
Chipotle Corporate
Website