With sit-down dining and retail still closed across New Jersey due to COVID-19, and our hotels just reopened, it feels premature to be putting together our annual roundup of new, moved, and closed businesses. For now, we’ve gathered what we know, and we’ll continue to update this post with new information as we receive it!

What’s new in accommodations

The Blue Rose Inn, which replaced Alexander’s in 2013, has closed. But the circa 1883 Victorian at 653 Washington Street will continue life as a B&B. The Hugh, a boutique bed and breakfast inn, is slated to open this summer. You can get a peek at what they have in store on their Instagram.

You might already know that invisible service came to town last August with the opening of Hotel Lokal at 5 Stockton Place. The Cape May Micro Resort is open year-round and has a heated saltwater pool.

What’s new in shopping

On the 300 block of the Washington Street Mall, Cape May Sweet House has closed, leaving us down a candy shop. Cash and Clive moved from their corner location across from Congress Hall into Sweet House’s location (which you might know better as the old Morrow’s Nut House). Tommy’s Folly Kids (of the Congress Hall family) has moved into the former Cash and Clive location at Carpenters Lane and Perry Street.

On the 500 block of the Washington Street Mall, we’re saying goodbye to our longtime neighbor Colors. The owners are enjoying retirement. Beef Jerky Outlet has moved in next to Beachlove at 518 Washington Street. 

Cape May Snaps has opened in Washington Commons. They can reproduce your smartphone pictures on ceramic tiles, and they’ve got galleries from Cape May photographers too. 

What’s new in food & dining

We’ll get the sad news out of the way: Seaside Cheese has closed. They announced the closure on Facebook a few days before their final weekend. We wish them well and will miss the Seaside Panini. 

The team from Mia Mia in Wildwood has opened Prawn in the former Depot Market at 409 Elmira. The seafood restaurant labels itself “Cautiously Common” and is committed to safe serving. They offer a market and prepared meals to go. 

If you’ve been down to the beachfront lately, you might have seen the construction going on at the arcade near the Jackson Street intersection, across from Carney’s. This new restaurant will be Prawn’s sister Primal, featuring steak and a raw bar. Primal is still under construction, but we’ll be stopping in for photos as soon as they’re ready to open.

We already told you about Big Wave Burritos opening up in their new location at 605 Lafayette Street (the corner of Lafayette and Elmira, next to Village Bicycle Shop). They’ve closed their old location. 

Quincy’s Lobster Rolls has opened up on the Washington Street Mall in the spot where Dairy Queen has been for as long as I can remember. Last year, Dairy Queen let us know they planned to reopen for the season, but Quincy’s has already moved into the spot.  

Foo Bao opened last July next to Zoe’s Cape Cafe in the Beach Theatre complex. Wife-and-husband team Amy Kao and Lu Rexhepi are running both restaurants, along with the Rhythm of the Sea B&B, which they took over last year. (Update: We believe Foo Bao is temporarily closed. We’ll keep you updated.)

If you’re a steak fan, Nick Filet opened up last July at 316 Beach Avenue (right by the Jackson Street intersection). Be sure to try the truffle fries.  

Cabanas on the Beach is now Taco Caballito Tequileria — same owners, same staff, same location. Just a new brand.

Vintage by the Kara Restaurant Group (as in George’s Place) has opened on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate. The location was formerly the Carriage House Tearoom.

That’s what we know so far! If you know of new businesses, businesses that have moved locations, or businesses that have closed, send details to whosnew@capemay.com.

Updated 7/20/20