Popeye's Proposed For Route 88 Wawa Site In Brick

BRICK, NJ — The Brick Township Board of Adjustment is scheduled to hear an application to build a Popeye's fast food restaurant next to the Wawa at Route 88 and Jack Martin Boulevard at its Oct. 19 meeting.

The developer, JSM at Martin Boulevard, is seeking to amend the site plan approved for the property in 2018, according to a public notice published online.

The change would swap a 4,535-square-foot bank with a drive-through for a 2,340-square-foot, 60-seat restaurant with a double-stacked drive-through, according to the notice.

The plan originally was approved in 2018 for the site on Route 88 in front of the Laurelton Mobile Home Park. That approval included a 7,182-square-foot commercial building with a 3,000-square-foot 124-seat restaurant and the proposed bank along with the Wawa.

The Wawa portion of the site opened in 2021, and created controversy very quickly because of traffic issues from people trying to turn left into the convenience store from eastbound Route 88 and left departing the store.

The state Department of Transportation asked Brick Township officials to approve a resolution in November 2021 asking for a ban on left turns, with the goal of rerouting traffic to the Wawa exit on Jack Martin Boulevard. But the DOT has not yet approved the signs. Read more: Left-Turn Ban Coming At Route 88 Wawa In Brick

Mayor John G. Ducey on Monday afternoon said state transportation officials have been waiting for the property owner — JSM at Martin Boulevard — to consent to the no left turn signs.

There are 13 Popeye's locations in New Jersey, including one in Toms River.

The zoning board hearing is set for 7 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the municipal building, 401 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick.