What does Cherry Hill’s retail expansion mean for homebuyers in South Jersey?

Cherry Hill is in the middle of a significant retail transformation, with over a dozen new commercial projects reshaping the township’s shopping corridors. For homebuyers weighing where to plant roots in South Jersey, this level of private investment is a meaningful signal: retailers and developers don’t commit this kind of capital to markets they don’t believe in. That’s good news if you’re considering a home in Cherry Hill.

What’s Actually Being Built (and Why It Matters)

The anchor of Cherry Hill’s current retail wave is Dick’s House of Sport, the experiential flagship format from Dick’s Sporting Goods that goes well beyond a typical big-box sporting goods store. Think indoor climbing walls, batting cages, golf simulators, and outdoor turf fields. These aren’t amenities that end up in struggling markets. Dick’s House of Sport locations are carefully sited, and Cherry Hill made the cut.

But Dick’s is just the headline. Cherry Hill’s Route 70 and Route 38 corridors have been attracting a steady stream of new retail, dining, and service tenants over the past several years. The Cherry Hill Township planning and zoning process has been active, with redevelopment applications and site plan approvals reflecting real developer confidence in the area’s consumer base.

Here’s what drives that confidence:

• Population density. Cherry Hill sits at the heart of Camden County with one of the largest residential bases in South Jersey. Retailers follow rooftops, and Cherry Hill has them.
• Household income. The township’s median household income consistently tracks above state and national averages, making it a prime target for experiential and specialty retail.
• Interstate access. Positioned at the intersection of Route 70, Route 38, and I-295, Cherry Hill is a natural retail hub for residents across Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties.
• The Cherry Hill Mall anchor effect. Cherry Hill Mall, owned and operated by Simon Property Group, remains one of the top-performing malls in the Philadelphia metro region. A strong anchor mall elevates the entire retail ecosystem around it.

The Experiential Shift

What makes this retail cycle different from the big-box expansions of the 1990s and 2000s is the format. The tenants coming into Cherry Hill now are experience-driven. Dick’s House of Sport, fitness concepts, food halls, and specialty dining aren’t just places to spend money. They’re places people spend time. That distinction matters for community character and for home values.

According to the National Association of Realtors, proximity to retail amenities and walkable services consistently ranks among the top factors homebuyers cite when evaluating a neighborhood. Cherry Hill’s retail growth directly feeds that preference.

What This Means If You’re Buying a Home in Cherry Hill

I work with a lot of buyers relocating to South Jersey from Philadelphia, New York, and out of state. One of the first things they ask me is: “What’s the lifestyle like?” Cherry Hill’s answer to that question keeps getting stronger.

Here’s how I frame the retail expansion for buyers I’m working with:

Convenience Is a Long-Term Asset

When you can reach a Dick’s House of Sport, a Whole Foods, a specialty gym, and a dozen dining options within five minutes of your front door, that’s not just convenient today. It’s a feature that holds value over time. Homes in well-served communities tend to attract more buyers when you eventually sell, which supports price stability.

Retail Investment Signals Market Confidence

Retailers and commercial developers do deep market research before committing. When a market like Cherry Hill attracts over a dozen new projects in a single cycle, it’s a third-party vote of confidence in the area’s trajectory. That’s useful context for buyers who are thinking about long-term appreciation, not just today’s price.

Jobs and Tax Base Follow Retail

New retail creates local employment and expands the municipal tax base. A stronger tax base in Cherry Hill and Camden County supports infrastructure, services, and community investment without proportionally increasing residential tax burdens. That’s a downstream benefit for homeowners that doesn’t get talked about enough.

According to New Jersey Realtors, South Jersey has remained one of the more resilient housing submarkets in the state, supported in part by the region’s strong commercial activity and employment base.

Timing Your Search in This Market

Cherry Hill’s retail growth has been a multi-year story, and it’s not finished. As new projects come online through 2026 and beyond, the neighborhoods closest to the Route 70 and Route 38 corridors will continue to see buyer interest. I tell every buyer I work with to get pre-approved before touring so that when the right home comes up near these amenity corridors, you’re positioned to move. In a market with steady demand like Cherry Hill, sitting on the sideline while you “think about it” often means watching the home you wanted go under contract.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s Cherry Hill profile reflects the township’s population and income characteristics that make it one of the most sought-after addresses in South Jersey. Those fundamentals don’t change with a rate cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cherry Hill a good place to buy a home right now?

Cherry Hill has maintained consistent buyer demand as one of South Jersey’s most established and amenity-rich communities. The current retail expansion, anchored by projects like Dick’s House of Sport and supported by the Cherry Hill Mall corridor, reinforces the township’s long-term desirability. Your specific situation depends on your budget, timeline, and goals, and a local market analysis will give you a clearer picture of what’s available and at what price.

How does Cherry Hill’s retail growth affect home values?

Strong retail investment signals consumer confidence and economic activity in a community, both of which tend to support home value stability over time. According to the National Association of Realtors, proximity to retail amenities and walkable services is a consistent factor in homebuyer decision-making, which feeds ongoing demand in well-served markets like Cherry Hill.

What new retail is coming to Cherry Hill?

The most high-profile addition is Dick’s House of Sport, the experiential flagship format from Dick’s Sporting Goods. Beyond that, Cherry Hill’s Route 70 and Route 38 corridors have seen a wave of new dining, fitness, and specialty retail tenants. Cherry Hill Township’s planning board activity reflects ongoing developer interest in the market.

How does Cherry Hill compare to nearby South Jersey towns for buyers?

Cherry Hill sits in a strong position relative to nearby communities like Voorhees, Haddonfield, Marlton, and Mount Laurel because of its combination of retail density, road access, and established residential neighborhoods. Each town has its own character and price profile. I work across all of these markets and can walk you through the trade-offs based on your priorities.

Is the Cherry Hill Mall still doing well?

Cherry Hill Mall, operated by Simon Property Group, is one of the stronger-performing enclosed malls in the Philadelphia metro area. Simon’s continued investment in the property reflects its position as a regional draw, and a healthy anchor mall supports the broader retail ecosystem around it, which benefits nearby residential neighborhoods.

The Bottom Line

Cherry Hill’s retail evolution isn’t just a commercial real estate story. It’s a quality-of-life story, and quality of life drives home values. If you’re considering a move to South Jersey and want to understand how Cherry Hill’s growth fits your homebuying goals, I’d love to walk you through it.

Schedule a conversation with me here and let’s talk about what Cherry Hill looks like for your family, your budget, and your timeline.

Equal Housing Opportunity. This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Readers should confirm their own numbers and circumstances with a licensed attorney, tax advisor, lender, or closing officer.