The Rancocas Woods Village of Shops has survived the rise and fall of malls, the death and rebirth of downtowns, the online shopping revolution — and Mount Laurel’s evolution from an agrarian to a suburban community.
The eclectic dozen or so wood-frame commercial buildings in the trees along Creek Road in Burlington County became a regional destination for antiques, crafts, and furniture in the 1950s. The village since has withstood the death of its founder, a fire, the closing of a signature retailer, headlines about proliferating vacancies, and the pandemic.
The proposed redevelopment plan made public last July says Rancocas Woods and Creek Road should become Mount Laurel’s “primary Main Street and serve as a community gathering place and unique commercial destination.”
Prepared by CME Associates, the redevelopment plan envisions “small-scale” construction of new commercial buildings that will “enhance and complement the existing character and business community.”