A proposed 7 Brew Coffee location along Route 38 in Cherry Hill is already generating pushback from nearby residents, who say the drive-thru-focused business could negatively impact their neighborhood.
Plans call for the rapidly expanding coffee chain to open at 800 Route 38 near Longwood Avenue, with the proposal expected to come before the Cherry Hill Planning Board at its upcoming August 18 meeting.
But some Longwood Avenue residents are hoping to stop the project before it moves forward.
A Change.org petition opposing the proposed 7 Brew was launched on August 8 by resident Ariana Lopez, citing concerns about increased traffic, noise, pedestrian safety and the potential impact on the residential neighborhood. The petition had already collected more than 50 verified signatures on its first day.
According to the petition, residents are particularly concerned about the amount of vehicle traffic that a high-volume drive-thru business could generate near Longwood Avenue.
“Longwood Avenue is not equipped to handle a dramatic increase in vehicular activity,” the petition states, arguing that additional traffic could make navigating the neighborhood more difficult and potentially create pedestrian safety concerns.
Residents also point to existing congestion along Route 38 and worry that vehicles entering and exiting a busy coffee drive-thru could add another layer of traffic to the area.
Noise is another major concern.
Unlike a traditional sit-down coffee shop, 7 Brew operates primarily as a drive-thru beverage concept. The company is known for an energetic service model, with employees interacting with customers outside as vehicles move through the drive-thru lanes. Nearby 7 Brew locations generally operate beginning at 5:30 a.m. and remain open until 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 7 Brew Coffee
The petition argues that music, vehicle noise, and customer activity during early morning and evening hours could disturb nearby residents.
Those opposing the project aren’t necessarily arguing against commercial development altogether. Instead, the petition asks that the proposal be reevaluated and calls for traffic and noise impact assessments. Organizers also suggest considering alternative locations for the business that would place it farther away from established residential streets.
The controversy comes as 7 Brew continues an aggressive expansion throughout South Jersey and the Philadelphia region. The Arkansas-based chain specializes in drive-thru coffee and highly customizable specialty beverages, including energy drinks, teas, lemonades, smoothies and flavored sodas.
The Cherry Hill proposal is not yet a done deal.
The Cherry Hill Township Planning Board is scheduled to meet Tuesday, August 18 at 7:30 p.m., with the meeting being conducted remotely via Zoom. Township officials say Planning Board agendas and supporting documents are made available through the township’s Planning Board website ahead of hearings.
That meeting could allow both the developer and residents to make their cases regarding the proposed coffee shop.
For now, what might otherwise have been another new coffee chain coming to one of South Jersey’s busiest commercial corridors has become a neighborhood development issue — and Longwood Avenue residents are making it clear they want their concerns heard before any final decisions are made.
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