Cape May’s Freda’s Cafe: Where Scratch Cooking Meets Coastal Charm

Issue #563

January 01, 2026

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🐟Cape May’s Freda’s Cafe: Where Scratch Cooking Meets Coastal Charm

🏊🏻‍♂️Retro Revival: New Wawa to Reflect Wildwood’s Classic Doo Wop Charm

📦 Flu Activity Soars in New Jersey; Norovirus and COVID Also on the Rise

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

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

 January 1

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Cape May’s Freda’s Cafe: Where Scratch Cooking Meets Coastal Charm

Nestled just off the Washington Street Mall in Cape May, Freda’s Cafe offers more than a meal—it offers a heartfelt experience steeped in personal history, bold flavor, and warm hospitality. From the moment guests arrive at this intimate BYOB spot, the atmosphere feels inviting. Inside, the cozy dining room seats around 30 to 35 guests, its lounge-like ambiance set by tea lights in glass jars and walls adorned with a mix of beach-themed and eclectic artwork. In summer, tables extend to the sidewalk, while a glowing fire keeps winter guests warm outside as they browse the handwritten specials board. Even the restroom’s unique location around the side of the building adds to the character of this historic space. For over 30 years, Steve and Carol Howard—both professionally trained chefs—have poured their culinary passion into Freda’s. After relocating from New York in the 1980s and starting with a small deli in West Cape May, they opened Freda’s Cafe in 1991 and never looked back. Freda’s menu adapts with the seasons and the availability of fresh seafood, much of it sourced locally. Steve sees this flexibility as part of the joy of cooking—an ever-changing canvas that keeps the kitchen inspired. More than just a dining destination, Freda’s holds a place of cultural importance as Cape May’s only Black-owned brick-and-mortar restaurant. In a city with deep African American roots—where in the 1920s, nearly a third of the population was Black—the restaurant quietly honors that legacy while forging its own. Freda’s Cafe is located at 210 Ocean Street in Cape May and is open Friday through Monday year-round, with expanded hours during the spring and summer seasons.1

Retro Revival: New Wawa to Reflect Wildwood’s Classic Doo Wop Charm

As 2025 comes to a close, a new chapter is beginning in Wildwood with the demolition of the former Rite Aid at 3400 New Jersey Avenue. The teardown officially began this week, clearing the way for a brand-new Wawa convenience store and fueling station that will pay homage to the island’s iconic Doo Wop architecture. The Rite Aid, which closed on July 19, 2025, was once a cornerstone of the community and part of the site that formerly housed the Wildwood bus terminal in the late 1990s. The building's closure followed Rite Aid’s nationwide bankruptcy and restructuring, which saw the closure of numerous South Jersey locations. The new Wawa will be a dramatic upgrade for the site and the surrounding area. Plans call for a 6,000-square-foot convenience store and ten gas pumps, making it one of the only fueling stations in that part of town. Despite there being another Wawa just two blocks away, that smaller location lacks fuel services and is expected to close once the new store is completed. What makes this development stand out is its bold architectural direction. City officials collaborated with Wawa during the design phase to ensure the building embraces the vibrant, retro-futuristic style that defines Wildwood’s character. Expect colorful signage, mid-century-inspired rooflines, and eye-catching Googie-style elements that echo the Space Age flair once prominent along the Jersey Shore. With demolition underway, site work will continue into early 2026. The new Wawa is being hailed as more than just a convenience store—it’s a symbol of revitalization, blending function with flair in a way that honors Wildwood’s nostalgic roots while meeting the needs of today’s residents and visitors.

 

 Flu Activity Soars in New Jersey; Norovirus and COVID Also on the Rise

As holiday celebrations wind down, health officials are reporting a significant uptick in seasonal illnesses, including flu, COVID-19, and norovirus. The rise in cases comes as no surprise to doctors, who say this time of year typically brings an increase in respiratory infections—especially following gatherings and travel. Health professionals are particularly noting a spike in flu cases, which appears to be spreading rapidly in areas that saw heavy holiday activity. Infections have surged across the tri-state region, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting very high flu activity in New Jersey, moderate levels in Pennsylvania, and minimal levels in Delaware. Doctors continue to stress prevention as the first line of defense. Handwashing remains a critical step—especially against norovirus, which is not effectively killed by hand sanitizer. Soap and water are the best tools for minimizing the spread of gastrointestinal viruses in particular. With winter far from over, doctors say it’s not too late to get vaccinated. Flu and updated COVID vaccines remain widely available and are highly recommended for those who haven’t yet received them this season.

Answer to the December 31st Trivia Question

Which historic Cape May building, now a museum, is one of the best examples of Which of the following is Cape May, New Jersey, best known for?

A) Being the location of the largest casino in the U.S.
B) Hosting the only basic training center for the U.S. Coast Guard
C) Serving as the oldest military fort in New Jersey
D) Being home to the longest boardwalk on the East Coast

Answer: B) Hosting the only basic training center for the U.S. Coast Guard

Cape May is home to the United States Coast Guard's only enlisted basic training facility, making it a vital location for the service members of the Coast Guard.

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