Cape May County May Get Fourth Recreational Marijuana Store

Issue #578

January 16, 2026

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

 🌿Cape May County May Get Fourth Recreational Marijuana Store

⚖️ Ocean View Service Plaza Reopens with New Look After Renovation

 👮Residents Rally Against Wonderland Redevelopment Despite No Council Action

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Shop Local

👇 Here’s what’s going on in the Cape May Local Area👇  

 January 16

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Cape May County May Get Fourth Recreational Marijuana Store

Upper Township has taken a significant step toward welcoming legal cannabis sales, becoming the first municipality in northern Cape May County to formally pave the way for a recreational marijuana dispensary. The township committee recently passed a set of ordinances establishing a cannabis retail overlay zone along a stretch of Roosevelt Boulevard (County Route 623), specifically between the Garden State Parkway and the Ocean City 34th Street Bridge. This newly designated area will permit cannabis sales and sets the stage for what could become Cape May County’s fourth licensed dispensary. While township officials have yet to confirm a specific site for the future dispensary, local speculation is already swirling. Two long-vacant commercial buildings on Roosevelt Boulevard are believed to be leading candidates: the former Pappy’s Restaurant, located near the Garden State Parkway entrance, and the former Obadiah’s/Sketties restaurant, situated across from Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern. Given the area's surrounding protected wetlands, development of a new facility is considered unlikely, making an existing structure the more probable option. As of the end of 2025, only three recreational dispensaries were operating in the county: Coastline Dispensary in Middle Township, Sea & Leaf in Lower Township, and Shore House Canna in West Cape May. Legalized recreational marijuana has become a booming industry in New Jersey since voters approved it in 2020, generating close to a billion dollars in sales, trailing only the state’s robust sports betting market. However, access in South Jersey—particularly Cape May County—remains limited, making Upper Township’s action a potential game-changer for local residents and businesses.

Ocean View Service Plaza Reopens with New Look After Renovation

Travelers along the southern stretch of the Garden State Parkway have reason to celebrate: the Ocean View service plaza has officially reopened following a three-month closure for renovations. Situated near Sea Isle City, this is the only service plaza in Cape May County and the southernmost stop of its kind along the Parkway. In 2024, the plaza was renamed in honor of actor Bruce Willis, a New Jersey Hall of Fame inductee known for his roles in action films such as Die Hard. Though Willis was raised in Salem County and not Cape May, the naming was part of a broader initiative to dedicate each of the Parkway’s nine service plazas to notable state figures in arts, entertainment, or sports. Some local officials had pushed for a name with stronger ties to Cape May County, such as a veteran or local leader. The shutdown left motorists without access to fuel, food, or restrooms—a fact bluntly advertised on roadway signs with bright orange “No Fuel,” “No Food,” and “No Restroom” stickers. During the closure, drivers had to travel nearly 23 miles north to the next available plaza in Galloway Township, Atlantic County. Now restored, Ocean View boasts brand-new fuel pumps and a redesigned canopy installed by Sunoco, which operates the site under a 25-year agreement with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. The interior convenience store also received a fresh update, giving the plaza a cleaner, more modern feel. A small visitors center operated by the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism remains in place, continuing to provide maps and brochures to those exploring the region. While the Parkway is under the authority's jurisdiction, the renovation costs were fully covered by Sunoco.

 

Residents Rally Against Wonderland Redevelopment Despite No Council Action

At a brief January 8 Ocean City Council meeting, public speakers once again focused on the controversial Wonderland Pier redevelopment, despite the issue not being on the agenda. Most residents voiced opposition to a proposed 252-room hotel, presenting a petition with over 400 signatures. Critics warned of overdevelopment and urged the city to follow its boardwalk redevelopment subcommittee process. One business owner supported the hotel as vital for the local economy. Council made no decisions, but a public meeting on boardwalk planning is set for February 7.

Cape May, New Jersey, is renowned for its historical significance and Victorian architecture. In what year was the entire city designated as a National Historic Landmark, making it the only city in the United States to be wholly designated as such?

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 Answer to the January 15th Trivia Question

What historic mode of transportation once brought vacationers to Cape May in the 19th century?
A) Paddlewheel steamboats from Philadelphia
B) A private airfield for zeppelins
C) Underground trolley lines
D) Horse-drawn canal boats from New York

Answer: A) Paddlewheel steamboats from Philadelphia.
In the 1800s, Cape May was a popular resort destination, and paddlewheel steamboats brought visitors from cities like Philadelphia across the Delaware Bay.

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