Moorestown

BY NICOLE O’ROURKE

Nestled just ten miles east of Philadelphia, Moorestown Township is an eastern suburb with a charming Main Street adorned with historic buildings, small businesses, cultural venues, and restaurants. Moorestown is notable for its historic architecture and extensive history, as well as having a strong sense of community and plenty of events for residents to attend. The enduring charm of this captivating town ensures it remains a place you’ll always delight in revisiting.

According to The Historical Society of Moorestown, the town has several well-preserved 18th-century homes, with documented residences lining Main Street and dating back to the 1700s. “There are 13 18thcentury plaqued houses on Main Street, and 14 if you also count Kings Highway,” said Historical Society of Moorestown librarian Stephanie Herz. These historic homes can easily be recognized through plaques bestowed by The Historical Society.

Moorestown features generously sized historic homes with midcentury modern architectural elements, and the demand remains robust in the area. According to the New Jersey Realtors® December housing market data report, single family homes were swiftly sold, spending an average of 38 days on the market year-to-date. Despite a 24.9% decrease in closed sales compared to last year, with 181 single-family homes sold, the area continues to exhibit strong demand. The median sales price for singlefamily homes decreased by 2.5% year-to-date to $700,000, and homes consistently received 99.9% of the list price.

Main Street serves as the central hub and heartbeat of the town, hosting numerous annual parades and events throughout the year, as well as being the go-to place for residents to enjoy locally owned small businesses. Residents can enjoy brunch at The Cubby Hole known for their pancakes and French toast, or grab a slice of homemade pie and pastries at The Pie Lady Cafe. If you’re looking for a home away from home, The Victorian Lady is a unique and charming bed-and-breakfast and historic establishment dating back to 1868.

“I chose Moorestown because it is a charming town, and their Main Street is filled with boutique shops, restaurants, and cafes that fit the type of products that I sell such as gourmet artisan cupcakes and baked goods that are handmade from scratch,” said owner of Cupcake Carnivale on Main Street Jeffrey Jimenez. Cupcake Carnivale is a boutique bakery initially operated as a mobile bakery truck in 2012 and has since been established on Main Street for over three years.

Notably, their cupcakes received the award for “Best Cupcakes” in South Jersey Magazine in 2023.

Moorestown embraces a strong sense of community, with engaged residents actively participating in a plethora of seasonal events and parades throughout the year. “The Moorestown community and the surrounding towns have been very warm and friendly. I consider them family, as a lot of them have become regulars and good friends of mine,” said Jimenez. “Moorestown residents are very supportive of their small, local businesses and they want to see these businesses succeed.”

In addition to Main Street, those looking to support local businesses can explore the weekly “Here today, gone Sunday” pop-up stores in the Moorestown Mall.

From the welcoming Daffodil Day celebrating the arrival of spring to the festive Main Street Candlelight Stroll marking the start of the winter holiday season, and the lively Moorestown Day, there are ample opportunities for residents to be part of the town’s vibrant social calendar. In the spring there are also diverse culinary offerings and events during Restaurant Week hosted by the town’s fantastic local restaurants.

Another unique quirk to the town is the fiberglass five-foot-tall painted dog sculptures scattered throughout Main Street, named Nipper. Nipper is the beloved mascot of the Recording Company of America. In 2005, Moorestown organized a public art project, crafting 30 Nipper fiberglass sculptures funded by sponsors such as Lockheed Martin, Dietz & Watson, and Bayada Nurses. Each Nipper was uniquely painted by various artists and later auctioned with the proceeds supporting a local fundraiser. If you want to see the remaining Nipper statues in Moorestown, you certainly can’t miss them when walking down Main Street.

Oftentimes, as you drive or stroll down Main Street, you will see couples getting married at the newly renovated Moorestown Community House. The venue hosts a range of events from wine tastings and golf outing fundraisers to the Moorestown annual tree lighting ceremony and summer concert series.

Moorestown is enveloped by a variety of well-loved parks and trails. Among these, Strawbridge Lake stands out as a favorite, offering excellent opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing, as well as boat launch areas, picnic tables, and a playground. For local sports enthusiasts, Jeff Young Park is a popular choice, with a tennis court, basketball court, dedicated pickleball courts, and a recreation center featuring playgrounds tailored to children of all ages. During winter, families and children eagerly gather with their sleds at Stokes Hill, renowned for its expansive slope that provides an ideal setting for sledding adventures. Dog owners can enjoy their time at the Swede Run Fields Dog Park, a spacious 40-acre area featuring open spaces, water amenities, and picnic tables.