June 2026 Update: Maplewood is still for sale at the Moorestown Mall. If there are any interested buyers, reach out to me, and I can put you in touch with the sellers representative.
Moorestown Mall is facing a significant change in its restaurant landscape. As Joe Italiano’s Maplewood prepares to close its doors, the anticipated arrival of The Ember Note will not be happening—at least not for now.
Original story ICYMI –
For loyal diners and mall regulars, the development delivers a double disappointment: a beloved Italian dining institution is leaving, and the jazz-inspired concept once poised to take its place will not be stepping in.
The Ember Note was introduced as a Restaurant & Jazz Club concept designed to blend elevated dining with live jazz programming. The idea centered on creating an intimate space where food, music, and atmosphere would merge into a curated experience.
In a brief message shared with South Jersey Food Scene exclusively, Executive Managing Member Todd T. Whitmore confirmed that the team is unable to move forward with transitioning into the former Maplewood space due to financing challenges.
Although the Ember Note team pursued several opportunities to obtain funding for renovations and programming, the necessary resources were ultimately not secured.
As a result, the Maplewood location at Moorestown Mall will not be reimagined as The Ember Note after all.
The statement emphasized that the setback is temporary rather than a complete abandonment of the vision. There is hope that once the current hurdles are overcome, they can still bring the concept to life.
However, the immediate reality is clear: the anticipated jazz club restaurant will not be opening in the soon-to-be-vacated space. Stay tuned for any updates or news regarding The Ember Note or what will come next at the location.
SJFS is dedicated to food, dining, restaurants, and drinking in South Jersey. Got a news tip? Email southjerseyfoodscene@gmail.com.