Multiple construction crews are feverishly working on the final details of the all-new First Watch breakfast-lunch restaurant coming to Sicklerville… which could open in just a few weeks (late November)!
And if you sign-up at their website you may get an invite to their pre-opening VIP event, as well as exclusive offers! (Link at end of article)
Back in May, 42Freeway was the first to report on the plans for the new First Watch location for Cross Keys Road which is taking over the former Bertucci’s restaurant (Bertucci’s closed two years ago). This Cross Keys Road “restaurant row” also includes Buffalo Wild Wings, Sakura, Texas Roadhouse and more.
I stopped over today to check on the construction progress to find a very busy construction site, although the core elements appear to be complete including the exterior work with the First Watch signage in place on the building’s new front entrance tower, as well as the Cross Keys Road frontage sign.
I got a chance to peek into the building… from my front door vantage point significantly all of the major dining area items look complete with seating in the space, the bar counter and tile work installed and even the lighting fixtures are hung.
Some smaller decor elements remain to be completed, and of course there will be a BIG full cleaning.
But did you catch that unique feature that I slipped into the construction status? “bar counter”?
Yes, the Sicklerville First Watch will be the first location in New Jersey to have a full liquor license… which means mimosas, bloody mary’s and more to go along with your delicious brunch meal.
In fact the Public Notice regarding the liquor license transfer was published recently.
As you likely know liquor licenses in New Jersey are typically rare and very expensive to acquire, so it’s unique to see a restaurant such as First Watch which closes at 2:30pm, to invest in an expensive liquor license which is only going to be used half of the day…. Particularly only the daylight hours.
If you’re unfamiliar with First Watch they call themselves the “daylight cafe” serving innovative breakfast and lunch entrees where everything is enhanced with chef inspired twists… such as their Million Dollar Bacon which is hardwood smoked bacon baked with brown sugar, black pepper, cayenne and Maple syrup drizzle.
First Watch puts a lot of thought into making each of their entrees unique, and their dining spaces also match that same mindset with a focus on unique and interesting details.
In the South Jersey area there is a First Watch in Cherry Hill as well as a location in Washington Township which is only 5.5 miles from the new Sicklerville location! A location is also under development in Marlton.
Clearly the Daylight Cafe must be seeing a lot of success with their existing locations, and it’s exciting to see a premium national restaurant open two locations in the Route 42 corridor.
So regarding the opening date of the new First Watch Sicklerville location.. it appears they are targeting a November 25th opening.
If you “googled” the restaurant, the search result listing very clearly says Opens November 25th. I didn’t know how much I can trust that but I would imagine First Watch management has to set that date.
But then within the last few days my Facebook feed presented me a sponsored ad from First Watch Sicklerville to sign up for their mailing list, and in the lower gray bar footer it also very clearly said Opening November 25th.
My only hedge on that date is while I would assume they are training staff at the existing Washington Township location… that date is only about 2 weeks away and construction activity is still taking place.
So we’ll have to wait and see!
Links and Location
First Watch Sicklerville (Opening Soon)
625 Berlin – Cross Keys Rd,
Sicklerville, NJ 08081