Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋
Been wondering what’s going on with Brio Italian Grille after rumors of its forthcoming closure began swirling? We dig into the details. Also this week, we’ve put together a guide to the newly updated H Mart, South Jersey progressives weigh in on Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s first major hurdle, plus an alleged former mob boss is dishing up a local pizza recipe at his new Shore joint.
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Despite reports, Brio Italian Grille may not be closing
Last month, reports began swirling online that Brio Italian Grille in Towne Place atGarden State Park would be closing and be replaced by Fogo de Chão. But that may not come to fruition.
While permits have been issued for the Brazilian steakhouse to overhaul Brio’s current space, the chain doesn’t have a lease to take it over yet, a real estate executive with the firm that owns Towne Place’s tenant management company said. Should Brio, which filed for bankruptcy last year, choose not to renew its lease, “Fogo is 100% a tenant we would be interested in speaking with.”
The Inquirer’s Sarah Nicell digs into what’s actually going on and what could potentially happen.
A self-described H Mart diehard’s guide to the updated outpost
Cherry Hill’s H Mart recently underwent a massive update, including an overhaul to the Asian grocery store’s first floor and a new second-floor food hall. Inquirer reporter and self-described H Mart diehard Hira Qureshi recently paid a visit to suss out the best finds.
Her advice? Start on the second floor, browsing the sections with Korean beauty products and general goods like notebooks, small toys, and character keychains, as well as an arcade, first. After, she recommends tackling the first floor, stocked with meat, produce, seafood, and other grocery staples.
By then, you’ll have worked up an appetite, so swing by the new food court.
Here’s her full guide to the updated H Mart.
💡 Community News
In case you missed it, last week 28-year-old Oregon man Cristian Custodio-Aquino pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in connection with the 2024 stabbing death of Cherry Hill veterinarian Michael Anthony. The Inquirer’s Jesse Bunch has all the details.
South Jersey progressives who campaigned for Gov. Sherrill say the first-term governor failed her first major test in the office, juggling her opposition to Delaney Hall, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center, with widespread criticism for how she handled protests outside of it. Cherry Hill resident Marie Henselder-Kimmel, who leads NJ Voters Who Want More Say, said she feels “torn” about Sherrill’s decision to send in state police during the protests. The Inquirer’s Aliya Schneider delves into what some former supporters are saying.
A new nursing home opened at 3025 Chapel Ave. last week. Dwellside Care and Rehab offers both short- and long-term care.
With the World Cup now underway, locals can catch games at Soccer Post Cherry Hill, which is streaming matches on its seven TVs, as well as AMC Theatres on Route 38, which has viewings of select games with Spanish-language broadcasts.
The College World Series kicked off this week and there was plenty of local talent on the eight teams that made the bracket, including Cherry Hill West alum Jon Young Jr. The sophomore at the University of Alabama is one of six players with area ties.
Heads up for drivers: There will be work on several roads this week, including a partial westbound lane closure on Kresson Road between Evesham and Cropwell Roads from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday. Kenilworth Avenue will be closed between Chapel Avenue and Route 38 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Friday. And Cooper Landing Road will be closed between Valley Run and Route 70 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. today through Saturday.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Tomorrow is the last day of school, as well as high school graduations. There’s a board of education meeting Tuesday evening. See the district’s full calendar here.
Superintendent Kwame Morton made $250,213 for the 2025-26 school year, putting his annual salary $46,485 over the average superintendent salary statewide. (NJ.com)
Earlier this month, the Sari Isdaner Early Childhood Center at the Katz JCC named Stacey Unterlack director of Jewish education and early childhood education. Unterlack had previously served as interim director.
🍽️ On our Plate
Notorious former alleged mob boss Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino recently expanded his eatery, opening Skinny Joey’s Cheesesteaks & Pizza in Wildwood. He’s added stromboli and pizza to the menu, the latter using a recipe from Vito’s on Haddonfield Berlin Road. Merlino’s social media-driven reboot is thanks in part to Joe “Lil Snuff” Perri Jr., who you might recognize from his brassy, unscripted commercials for Mall Chevrolet. The Inquirer’s Michael Klein explains how the two connected and built a popular brand.
Blue Fig Garden is one of the best Mediterranean restaurants in the state, according to BestofNJ.com. The website noted the restaurant at the mall combines Turkish and Mediterranean flavors.
🎳 Things to Do
🍷 Wine Down Wednesday: Enjoy five two-ounce pours of wine and appetizers. ⏰ Wednesday, June 17, 6-8 p.m. 💵 $25 📍 Randall’s Restaurant
🗓️ Juneteenth: Cherry Hill African American Civil Association hosts its sixth annual parade and festival, complete with live music, vendors, food trucks, and a petting zoo. ⏰ Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Rain date: June 21) 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Croft Farm
🍑 The Peach Truck Tour: The roving peach truck will make a stop at the mall to sell boxes of the fresh fruit (which is good news, since local crops were largely wiped out earlier this year). It’ll return again next month. ⏰ Saturday, June 20, 4:30-6 p.m. 💵 $15-$120 📍 Cherry Hill Mall
🍿 Wicked: For Good: Catch a screening of the sequel to the Broadway hit and popular 2024 film. ⏰ Monday, June 22, 2-4:20 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Cherry Hill Public Library
🏡 On the Market
A four-bedroom Kresson Woods Colonial with a fenced backyard
Located in Kresson Woods, this four-bedroom brick Colonial has a bright interior. The living room features large windows and a fireplace and there’s a dining room off the kitchen, which has two-tone cabinetry, granite countertops, a walk-in pantry, and a double oven. All four bedrooms are upstairs, including a primary suite with a walk-in closet. Out back, there’s a patio and a fenced yard.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $550,000 | Size: 1,836 SF | Acreage: 0.25
🗞️ What other Cherry Hill residents are reading this week:
City Council voted to ban horse-drawn carriages in Philadelphia
Opinion: The new Bruce Springsteen museum is a giant scrapbook that validates New Jersey’s role as a music incubator
Penn president announces he will leave next summer
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