Good morning, South Jersey.
Tucked inside the Vineland Public Library, there’s a nonprofit coffee shop that employs and supports the careers of adults with disabilities.
And Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a law to prevent surveillance pricing for groceries, which she said is part of her overall agenda to prioritize affordability in the state.
Plus, Collingswood announced that the borough is reviewing its public pool policies after an anti-LGBTQ social media account posted about them, and more news of the day.
— Taylor Allen ([email protected])
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A coffee shop ‘with a purpose’
Inclusion Cafe opened in early May inside the VinelandPublic Library.
It’s an offshoot of Inclusion Coffee Shop in Elmer which opened in 2022. Both cafes focus on career development for adults with disabilities. The coffee shops have hired 15 employees with disabilities and seven without. Staff members are paid $16 an hour, plus tips.
“I love it so far,” said Victor Perez, 19, who’s a barista with autism. “I go in and clock in, get my apron. … I like the caramel hot coffee.”
The founder of the coffee shops created the cafes after her son’s Down syndrome diagnosis.
The Inquirer’s Sarah Nicell has the story.
What to know about N.J.’s surveillance pricing ban on groceries
Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed the Fair Price Protection Act which prohibits surveillance pricing of groceries.
New Jersey is the third state to ban the practice through law.
🛒 What is surveillance pricing?
It’s when grocery stores or apps uses shoppers’ personal data to create individualized prices on items.
The new law defines the practice as a strategy where an algorithm or automatic system uses personal data to adjust, optimize, or adjust food prices.
🛒 What exactly does the law do?
It bans strategies that determine grocery costs based on consumers’ data, prohibits new electronic shelf labels for one year, and requires the state to study the utility of these type of labels.
Aliya Schneider has more answers, including what lawmakers thought of the bill.
What to know today
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One teenager is charged with fatally shooting another Friday evening in Mullica Township, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s office.
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Collingswood officials are reviewing the borough’s public pool rules after an anti-LGBTQ social media account posted about its policies.
Read more Jewish America 250 looks back on centuries of Jewish contributions to the U.S.
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Burlington County will begin repaving a 2.7-mile portion of Old York Road in Burlington Township, Springfield, and Florence on Monday. It’s expected to take about two weeks to finish.
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The family-owned bakery Too Sweet Boutique recently moved to Washington Township after nearly a decade in Deptford.
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Speaking of bakeries, the former McMillan’s Bakery in Haddon Township will reopen as Del Buono’s Pastry Shop in August. The shop will reserve 900 square feet of the new space to host DiBartolo’s Kakery led by Woolwich resident Al DiBartolo who was a winner of Food Network’s Halloween Wars and a contestant on TLC’s Next Great Baker.
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There’s already unauthorized merch of LeBron James as a Sixer outside of Philly stadiums and down the Shore.
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Wawa and Lands’ End launched a limited-edition mini hoagie tote bag and it immediately sold out online. They are available at select Wawa locations only in New Jersey.
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🧠Trivia time
LeBron James is set to finish his legendary NBA career as a Sixer.
His agreed to sign a two-year contract at what value?
A) $6 million
B) $7 million
C) $8 million
D) $12 million
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re…
🎤 Reminiscing: On Shakira’s final U.S. show Saturday in Atlantic City, which closed out her World Cup Tour.
🥤Craving: A milkshake from the Maple Shade Custard Stand.
🏠 Admiring: The architecture of South Jersey’s patterned brick 18th-century farmhouses.
📬 Your South Jersey view
I’m always grateful that I live in walking distance to city parks.
What does your community look like? What South Jersey memory would you like to share? Submit a photo and/or a brief description for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.
🗞️ What other South Jersey residents are reading
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Cecily Tynan is retiring from 6abc after three decades on Action News
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Mike Sielski: LeBron chose the hard, dramatic path when he picked the Sixers. Get ready for a wild ride, Philly.
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Craig LaBan: Northern Liberties’ new steakhouse is solid, but in need of a soul
And that’s all I have for you this morning. Thanks for choosing to start your week with The Inquirer. Let’s do this again tomorrow. 😎
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