Wildwood’s Starbucks Has Gone Vertical

Wildwood’s Starbucks Has Gone Vertical

In Wildwood visitors are getting excited as the latest Starbucks project takes shape. Situated at 4800 Park Boulevard, right on Rio Grande Boulevard and across the street from McDonald’s, Wildwood’s own Starbucks has reached a significant milestone—it has officially gone vertical.

The news of Starbucks coming to the Wildwoods was initially reported by the Wildwood Video Archive on June 6th. Prior to this confirmation, there were widespread rumors circulating about the arrival of the iconic coffee chain in the area, but nothing had been substantiated until now.

The chosen location may ring a bell for some locals, as it was previously acquired by Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen with plans to create a Doo-Wop style establishment.

Unfortunately, their application fell through, leading to the property being put up for sale.

In December 2021, the lot was purchased by Wildwood Park Developers LLC for $650,000. A bit of sleuthing into public records revealed that this LLC was, in fact, a front for Starbucks. It wasn’t until May 2022 that the first mockups of the Wildwood Starbucks emerged in public records, as they were scheduled to be presented at the June Planning and Zoning meeting in Wildwood.

Also See: New Attraction Coming to Morey’s Piers?

[Note: at the bottom of this article you can find a video where the Wildwood Video Archive takes viewers through the mockups and blueprints of the upcoming Starbucks, providing an exciting glimpse into what the future holds for the establishment.]

What distinguishes this particular Starbucks location is the absence of an indoor dining area. Customers will have two options to access the property—via the drive-through or window pick-up.

While tables and chairs will be placed in front of the building for those seeking a place to rest, it’s important to note that there will be no public bathrooms available.

Curiously, the signage for the restaurant will feature Starbucks branding and menu signs on the building, but there won’t be any freestanding Starbucks signs. This has prompted a desire for change among many locals.

The majority of businesses on this street have made an effort to embrace the Doo-Wop style, as Wildwood proudly holds the title of Doo-Wop Capital of the world.

McDonald’s has incorporated archways reminiscent of the era, the new Sinclair Gas Station has added a retro sign, and Wawa boasts a fully mid-century modern design. However, Starbucks has yet to demonstrate an interest in joining the nostalgic fun.

While the building design leans toward a modern aesthetic, incorporating a cool Doo-Wop sign could help the new Starbucks blend harmoniously with the other chains. Starbucks has, in the past, incorporated retro signs into their designs.

Also See: New Jersey’s Lost Golf Course – Ponderlodge

Take, for instance, their Redlands, California location, which features an epic neon sign (see photo on the right). Would you like to see a sign like this in the Wildwoods? Share your thoughts and let us know on our Facebook page!

Once completed, this Starbucks will mark the third location in the general area. The first Starbucks opened on the Rio Grande many years ago, and the second welcomed customers in Cape May Court House just last year.

The Wildwood Starbucks location still has a ton of work ahead to get open. Speaking to the crews it could still be a few months until it will be open and welcoming their first customers.

The Wildwood Video Archive reached out to Starbucks for comments on when it will open, if it will be a year-round location or if they will consider adding in a Doo-Wop sign, and we have yet to hear back from them.

One of the biggest concerns that visitors have is the lack of a ‘lane’ for the drive-thru. At this time we don’t know how long of a line will be created by this Starbucks location. Most likely it will loop through the parking lot, which should help to keep the line off the street, but this could also lead to a back-up in the parking lot for the building (which could be a different problem).

Below, you can watch the video showcasing the blueprints and mockups of the upcoming Wildwood Starbucks. But before you hit play, we kindly request that you subscribe to our channel as we strive to reach 100,000 subscribers by Labor Day.