Cape May to the Pine Barrens: Inside the Jersey Shore’s Haunted History

Issue #495

October 25, 2025

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

 👉 Local Merchant Spotlight

👻  Cape May to the Pine Barrens: Inside the Jersey Shore’s Haunted History

🤵🏻👰🏻 Weddings Made Easy: Wildwoods Expo Offers Vendors, Prizes, and FunArt

🎅🏻Spirit Christmas Stores Begin Opening, Including Flagship in Mays Landing

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Daisy Lane Boutique

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

 October 25 

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New Cape May Store Turns Eco-Friendly Style Into Ocean Action

Tucked inside the bustling building known to locals as “the mall of the mall” at 421 Jackson Street, a new store is turning heads with its unique mix of fashion and purpose. World Lovers Clothing, launched in April by Cape May County native Ethan Morford, is more than just a clothing store—it’s a hub for eco-conscious style that gives back to the planet. Replacing the long-loved Judy’s Jewelry Store, which served the community for over two decades, World Lovers Clothing has brought fresh energy and a new mission to the space. While beachgoers and locals still stop by asking about the former shop, many leave pleasantly surprised by what they find: sustainable fashion tied to ocean conservation. The store specializes in clothing and accessories, with a strong emphasis on items that reflect a love for the sea. Unisex T-shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks dominate the racks, many hand-pressed in-house or designed in collaboration with local artists and even school students. The brand gained particular attention this summer for its quirky and charming crochet sea animals—most notably the top-selling crochet seagulls, handcrafted by a family friend.

In addition to apparel, the shop offers ocean-themed jewelry like shark tooth necklaces and beaded whale bracelets, all sourced from eco-minded suppliers. Several of the brands sold in the store, including Viva Life, also contribute a portion of their proceeds to environmental causes, doubling the impact of each purchase. What sets World Lovers Clothing apart is its consistent commitment to charitable giving. Every month, the shop donates a portion of its sales to a different organization focused on marine conservation. This past summer, they partnered with groups like Save the Manatees from Florida and Sea Turtle Inc. in Texas—the latter known for operating the largest sea turtle hospital in the U.S. These partnerships included free educational materials, coloring books, and stickers to help spread awareness among younger shoppers. Customization is another key feature. Customers have requested personalized crochet items like horseshoe crabs, as well as custom shirts and hats, all enthusiastically fulfilled by Ethan and his team. Recently, World Lovers has even begun partnering with schools, allowing students to co-design fundraising apparel that supports both their school and ocean-focused nonprofits. Looking ahead, the store plans to expand its offerings with more cold-weather gear, such as hoodies and v-neck shirts, in response to customer feedback. There are also plans to organize in-store events, guest speakers, and youth-focused education initiatives in the coming year. While still in its early stages, World Lovers Clothing has made a splash in the Cape May community, combining small business hustle with a big-hearted mission. And as Ethan puts it, this is just the beginning.

To learn more or shop the latest collection, visit worldloversclothing.com or follow @WorldLoversClothing on social media.
For inquiries, reach out at: [email protected]

 

Cape May to the Pine Barrens: Inside the Jersey Shore’s Haunted History

 

While the Jersey Shore is widely celebrated for its family-friendly beaches, vibrant boardwalks, and rich history, there's also a darker, more mysterious side hiding in plain sight. As Halloween draws near, tales of haunted houses, eerie cemeteries, and local legends come alive—reminding us that the Shore has more than just sun and surf to offer. From Smithville to Cape May, South Jersey is home to numerous haunted hot spots steeped in colonial and Victorian pasts. One of the most infamous is the Pine Barrens—a vast, 1.1 million-acre stretch of preserved wilderness spanning seven counties. These woods are thick with the ruins of old mining settlements and sawmills, and they serve as the backdrop for one of New Jersey’s most enduring legends. The tale of the Jersey Devil dates back to the 1700s. According to legend, the creature was the cursed 13th child of a woman named Jane Leeds. Born with hooves, wings, and a forked tail, the Jersey Devil is said to roam the Pine Barrens to this day. Numerous sightings have been reported, particularly throughout Atlantic County, making it one of the region’s most talked-about folklore stories.

 Cape May, known for its pristine beaches and Victorian architecture, is equally rich in ghost stories. Founded in 1688 by Quaker settlers, the area became a bustling hub for the whaling industry. Over the centuries, numerous apparitions are said to haunt its historic homes and hotels—many of which now host ghost tours for curious visitors. The town's long-standing ties to the sea, combined with its preserved 19th-century charm, make it a perfect setting for eerie encounters. Throughout October, local towns are embracing their haunted heritage. Ghost walks are offered nightly in several communities, each one filled with spine-tingling tales of the supernatural. Haunted hayrides and seasonal corn mazes are also in full swing, offering fun and fright for all ages.

Weddings Made Easy: Wildwoods Expo Offers Vendors, Prizes, and Fun

  Couples preparing to tie the knot will have a golden opportunity to jump-start—or wrap up—their wedding planning this weekend, as the popular Wildwoods Fall Wedding Expo returns to the Wildwoods Convention Center on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Organized by Plan It Expo, the event is a seasonal favorite, drawing engaged couples, families, and wedding parties from across South Jersey and beyond. The expo serves as a one-stop hub for wedding essentials, offering a chance to meet dozens of seasoned vendors representing all facets of the industry—from caterers and DJs to photographers, florists, bakers, and venue hosts. One of the most anticipated aspects of the event is the extensive lineup of giveaways and door prizes. Thousands of dollars’ worth of services and gifts are available, and many vendors offer exclusive discounts only available to expo attendees. Whether you're newly engaged or wrapping up last-minute details, it’s a prime opportunity to connect with professionals and score savings.

Spirit Christmas Stores Begin Opening, Including Flagship in Mays Landing

 With Halloween just around the corner, a familiar pop-up retailer is already looking ahead to the next major celebration—Christmas. Spirit Christmas, the festive spinoff of the popular Spirit Halloween chain, has officially begun opening stores for the 2025 holiday season, including a flagship location in Mays Landing, New Jersey. Owned by Spencer Gifts, Spirit Christmas is rapidly expanding its presence after a successful soft launch in 2024. What began with just eight stores in the Northeast last year has now grown to 30 locations across 12 states in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions. States included in this year's expansion are Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The flagship store opened its doors on October 17 in Mays Landing, with more stores set to open in late October and early November. Many of these will be housed in existing Spirit Halloween locations, which are currently in transition as Halloween wraps up. While some stores have yet to open, Santa Claus photo bookings are already live at several locations. Starting November 21, families can schedule time with Santa at select Spirit Christmas stores. Photo sessions will be available on Fridays (3–7 p.m.), Saturdays (11 a.m.–7 p.m.), and Sundays (12–6 p.m.), in local time zones. Customers eager to find their nearest Spirit Christmas location or confirm photo booking availability are encouraged to check the store locator on the official Spirit Christmas website.

 

Which notable pirate is rumored to have buried treasure in Cape May, New Jersey?

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Answer to the October 24th Trivia Question

What unique feature did the Mount Vernon Hotel in Cape May boast in its dining area during the 1850s?​

A) A rotating floor
B) A glass ceiling
C) Over 40 gas-burning chandeliers
D) A built-in orchestra pit​

Answer: C) Over 40 gas-burning chandeliers

The Mount Vernon Hotel, constructed in 1852, featured a dining hall illuminated by more than 40 gas-burning chandeliers—a remarkable luxury for the era. This opulent lighting was part of the hotel's advanced infrastructure, which also included gas lighting produced on-site and an extensive network of 125 miles of gas and water pipes. These features underscored the hotel's ambition to offer unparalleled comfort and modernity to its guests.​

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