10 Major Business Openings, Closings, Developments For South Jersey In 2025

It was certainly a year for South Jersey businesses, with smaller establishments closing, bigger names taking root, and signs of the shifting economic and political landscapes visible throughout the region.

As 2025 comes to a close, Patch is recapping some of the biggest stories in the past year involving South Jersey's businesses and restaurants.

The stories below were those that received the most reads, which is far from a perfect metric in determining their impact. But they provide a capsule into what's going on in our neighborhoods and what may be coming in 2026. They also highlight some of the people who contribute to South Jersey's business landscape and the struggles they've endured.

But before we get to the top 10, here are some honorable mentions:

• IKEA moves in, downsizes: IKEA planted its flag in South Jersey, but they're going small. A new "plan & order point" store opened in Cherry Hill, where customers can meet with staff to plan out purchases for delivery and pickups.
• Roy Rogers revival: Roy Rogers restaurants are back on the saddle. The once-thriving restaurant chain opened its first South Jersey location since the 1990s.
• Hobby shop winding down: AAA Hobbies and Crafts, one of South Jersey's premier hobby stores, announced that 2026 will be its last year in business.
• Iron Hill closes all locations: Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant abruptly closed all of its remaining eateries. The Mid-Atlantic chain had a wave of closures a few months ago, which included the Voorhees location. Weeks later, they abruptly closed all their remaining restaurants, including Maple Shade's.

Here are the top 10 stories of 2025 involving South Jersey's businesses, in no particular order:

Bistro Owner Indicted

The owner of a well-known and financially troubled restaurant was indicted on 17 counts involving tax fraud, authorities announced. Andrew Cosenza Jr. owns The Bistro — a longtime Italian restaurant in Cherry Hill Mall that shuttered in July on a bankruptcy judge's orders. State authorities say the business charged sales tax for a period of time but didn't turn it over the tax collectors. Read more.

The Pub Closes Again

A temporary closure typically isn't earth-shaking news, especially when it's happened before. But not every restaurant is The Pub. The landmark Pennsauken restaurant had closed in summer 2024 for renovations and repairs. They closed again for summer this year, and a restaurant representative told Patch it was for maintenance and to give employees time off during the slower months. So the summer closures might become an annual tradition.

Massive Supermarket Opens

The people love a massive supermarket. A long-awaited mega ShopRite opened a few weeks ago in Gloucester Township, replacing an older store down the road. The new supermarket occupies a former Kmart building and features plenty of amenities. Take a look inside.

Toys R Us Pop-Up Shop

Geoffrey the Giraffe is back, and he wants more than an aisle at Macy's. Toys R Us opened a holiday pop-up shop at Deptford Mall, marking the brand's first standalone store in South Jersey since going bankrupt. They're also opening some flagship stores around around the country. So far, there are no plans to open a permanent store in South Jersey. But you can still find Geoffrey standing tall at Toys R Us displays inside Macy's stores.

Dispensary To Replace Diner

Another sign of the times: the Collingswood Diner permanently closed after 41 years, with a dispensary slated to replace it. Former diners have been common spots for New Jersey dispensaries in recent years because of their roadside locations and zoning laws that keep them away from residential neighborhoods.

Zaxbys Reaches New Jersey

A Southern restaurant chain known for its chicken fingers and dipping sauces has opened its first eatery in the state. Zaxbys has more than 950 locations around the country and reached the Jersey market with an eatery that recently opened in Magnolia. It's the first of six Zaxbys restaurants planned for South Jersey, according to the franchisees.

Manufacturer Shuts Down

TransAxle, an auto-parts manufacturer headquartered in Cinnaminson, laid off more than 200 employees as the company shut down. Layoffs included 35 mechanic assemblers and several others in manufacturing, distribution and administrative roles. There were several major workplace reductions in the region this year, including:

• Jefferson Health, which is set to lay hundreds of workers, including more than 100 Cherry Hill employees.
• Joann, which went bankrupt and closed all of its stores, resulting in 262 announced layoffs in New Jersey.
• Alstom, the company that was long contracted to operate and maintain NJ Transit's River Line. Alstom announced 121 layoffs after NJ Transit it will take full control of the River Line.

Italian Restaurant Closes; Owner Cites Rising Costs

Osteria 545, an Italian restaurant in Paulsboro, announced plans to permanently close after five years in business. Owners cited economic shifts that impacted them this past year, including fewer people eating out and a "sharp" rise in costs that's making it difficult for small businesses to stay afloat.

Some of those reverberations were seen throughout the region this year. Blair Mountain Biscuit Co., a Gloucester Township eatery, abruptly closed after nearly four years, with owners saying the "current economy has proven untenable" for them to run their business. A Moorestown cupcake shop owner expressed similar sentiments, saying "the only businesses that are thriving are the big retail corporations." However, that shop, Cupcake Carnivale, remains open.

'Indoor Amusement Park' Opens

A large family entertainment complex recently opened in Somerdale. Nova Adventure Park calls itself an "indoor amusement park." At 50,000 square feet, the new facility in Somerdale features trampolines, foam pits, obstacle courses, a zip line, a basketball court and more.

ICE Raids Jersey Kebab, Arrests Owners

In February, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities raided Jersey Kebab and arrested the owners, who are Turkish immigrants. Local support surged for Emine family, which operates the restaurant, whose stories became a regional flashpoint for the Trump administration's immigration policies. Husband and wife Celal and Emine Emanet have immigration cases pending. Meanwhile, the restaurant has relocated from Haddon Township to Collingswood and recently had a soft opening at the new spot.