Wildwood’s Starbucks Mockup Photo
Excitement is building among visitors in Wildwood as the latest Starbucks project begins to take form. Located at 4800 Park Boulevard, right on Rio Grande Boulevard and across the street from McDonald’s, Wildwood’s very 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, rumors about the arrival of the iconic coffee chain had been circulating widely, 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. Investigating 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, scheduled to be presented at the June Planning and Zoning meeting in Wildwood.
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What sets this particular Starbucks location apart 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.
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 lack of a Doo-Wop style sign has prompted a desire for change among many locals. Most businesses on this street have embraced the Doo-Wop style, as Wildwood proudly holds the title of Doo-Wop Capital of the world.
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McDonald’s has incorporated archways reminiscent of the era, the new Sinclair Gas Station 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, such as their Redlands, California location, which features an epic neon sign.
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. However, there is still a lot of work to be done before Wildwood Starbucks can open its doors to customers.
One of the biggest concerns among visitors is the lack of a dedicated lane for the drive-thru. At this time, it is unclear how long the line will be and whether it will loop through the parking lot to keep it off the street. This could potentially lead to a backup in the parking lot, presenting a different problem.
The Wildwood Video Archive has reached out to Starbucks for comments on the opening date, whether it will be a year-round location, and if they would consider adding a Doo-Wop sign. However, there has been no response yet from the coffee giant.
In the meantime, the Wildwood Video Archive has provided a video showcasing the blueprints and mockups of the upcoming Wildwood Starbucks, offering an exciting glimpse into what the future holds for this establishment. Visitors are encouraged to subscribe to their channel as they aim to reach 100,000 subscribers by Labor Day.
Wildwood’s Starbucks is poised to become a notable addition to the local landscape, providing residents and visitors with the familiar flavors and ambiance of this beloved coffee chain. As construction progresses and the finishing touches are put in place, anticipation continues to grow for the grand opening of this vertical transformation in Wildwood.
You can check out the Wildwood Video Archive’s video on the mockup below. (Please subscribe)