It’s gone. If you drive down Route 70 in Cherry Hill today, specifically pulling into the Garden State Pavilion, the giant, whimsical windmill is no longer beckoning you toward aisles of oversized seasonal gnomes and discounted patio furniture. For locals, the Christmas Tree Shop Cherry Hill wasn't just a store; it was a weekend ritual, a chaotic treasure hunt, and a reliable source of "why did I buy this?" joy. But the story of its disappearance isn't just about one location closing. It's a messy tale of corporate debt, a failed rebranding attempt, and the eventual liquidation of an East Coast institution.
The Rise and Fall of the Garden State Pavilion Anchor
For years, the Christmas Tree Shop in Cherry Hill sat as a primary anchor in one of the busiest retail corridors in South Jersey. It thrived because it occupied a weird, specific niche. It wasn't quite a dollar store, but it wasn't a high-end home goods boutique either. People went there for the "thrill of the hunt," a retail strategy that worked until the world changed.
The Cherry Hill location, situated at 2270 West Route 70, was part of the Bed Bath & Beyond empire for a long time. That was the beginning of the end, honestly. When Bed Bath & Beyond began its slow-motion spiral into bankruptcy, they sold off Christmas Tree Shops (CTS) to Handil Holdings in 2020. At the time, things looked optimistic. Handil tried to modernize the brand, even rebranding some stores to "CTS" to show they sold more than just tinsel and ornaments.
It didn't stick. By mid-2023, the parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Initially, the plan was to keep the Cherry Hill store open while closing underperforming units. But the math didn't work. The debt was too heavy, and the "going out of business" signs eventually went up at the Garden State Pavilion, marking the end of an era for Camden County shoppers.
Why Cherry Hill Felt the Loss More Than Others
South Jersey retail is a competitive beast. You have the Cherry Hill Mall just a few miles away and the Moorestown Mall nearby, plus every big-box retailer imaginable lining Route 38 and Route 70. Yet, the Christmas Tree Shop Cherry Hill had a cult-like following.
Why? Because it was predictable in its unpredictability. You'd go in for dish soap and leave with a three-foot-tall solar-powered lighthouse for your backyard. It served a demographic that valued the physical experience of browsing—something that's becoming a lost art in the age of Amazon.
When the liquidation sales started, the scene was predictably frantic. Discounts started at 10% and eventually hit 90% as the shelves were stripped bare. People weren't just buying products; they were mourning a landmark. The Cherry Hill store was often used as a benchmark for the brand's performance in the region because of its high foot traffic and proximity to Philadelphia. When this specific location folded, it signaled to everyone that the brand was truly finished.
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The Bankruptcy Reality: What Went Wrong?
Most people think Christmas Tree Shops failed because nobody wants to buy physical goods anymore. That's not really the whole truth. The reality is more about financial leverage and bad timing.
- The Bed Bath & Beyond Hangover: Being tied to a failing parent company for so long meant that CTS didn't get the infrastructure investment it needed when e-commerce started eating everyone's lunch.
- Supply Chain Nightmares: Discount retailers rely on cheap, fast shipping. When global shipping costs spiked, the razor-thin margins at the Christmas Tree Shop Cherry Hill basically evaporated.
- The Rebrand Confusion: Changing the name to "CTS" was meant to signal that they were a year-round destination. Instead, it just confused long-time customers who liked the quirky, seasonal identity.
Basically, the company took out a $45 million loan to keep things afloat, but they couldn't meet the revenue targets required by their lenders. When you can't pay the people who own your debt, they pull the plug. In July 2023, the bankruptcy shifted from a reorganization to a full liquidation. Every single store, including Cherry Hill, was slated for permanent closure.
What is Replacing Christmas Tree Shop in Cherry Hill?
The big question now is the "what's next" for that massive footprint in the Garden State Pavilion. For a long time, rumors swirled about another big-box retailer moving in. Spirit Halloween, the vulture of the retail world, predictably swooped in for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. It’s what they do. They find the carcasses of dead retailers and fill them with plastic scythes and fog machines for six weeks.
But for a permanent tenant? The space is large and requires a specific type of occupant. Currently, the site has seen interest from various regional grocery chains and discount retailers like Burlington or TJ Maxx, though the Garden State Pavilion already has a strong mix of tenants like ShopRite and Wegmans nearby.
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The vacancy highlights a broader trend in Cherry Hill real estate: the shift toward service-oriented retail or high-end grocery. You’re seeing more medical offices, gyms, and "experience" centers taking over old retail shells. The days of a 40,000-square-foot store dedicated to knick-knacks are likely over.
The "Christmas Tree Shop" Brand: Is it Really Dead?
Kinda. But also maybe not? There has been talk about the brand name being bought out of liquidation. It happens all the time—look at Toys "R" Us or Pier 1. Someone buys the intellectual property and launches an online-only version.
However, the magic of the Christmas Tree Shop Cherry Hill was the building. It was the physical act of walking through the "Backroom" and finding a set of dinnerware for $12. An online store can't replicate the smell of cinnamon brooms and the sight of overstuffed aisles. For the residents of Cherry Hill, the brand died when the doors were locked on Route 70.
Navigating the Post-CTS Retail Landscape in South Jersey
If you’re still looking for that specific "bargain hunt" high that you used to get at the Christmas Tree Shop, you have to pivot. Honestly, it's getting harder.
- Ollie’s Bargain Outlet: This is probably the closest spiritual successor. There’s one in nearby Marlton. It has that same "good stuff cheap" mantra, though it’s a bit more rugged and less focused on home decor than CTS was.
- Ocean State Job Lot: They have been expanding into the Jersey area and occupy a very similar market position. They buy overstock and sell it at a fraction of the price.
- HomeGoods: For the decor side of things, HomeGoods in the Hillview Shopping Center is the go-to, though you’ll pay a bit more than you did at the windmill store.
Actionable Steps for Former Shoppers and Locals
If you are still holding onto old gift cards, let it go. The window to claim those through the bankruptcy court has long since passed. They are essentially bookmarks now.
For those curious about the future of the Garden State Pavilion site, keep an eye on the Cherry Hill Township planning board agendas. Retail spaces of that size usually require specific permits for "change of use" if they aren't going to be another standard retail store.
If you're a fan of the nostalgia, the iconic windmill signage and the quirky architecture of many CTS buildings are being dismantled across the country. In some locations, the buildings are being completely razed to make way for modern, glass-heavy storefronts that lack the character of the old shops.
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The loss of the Christmas Tree Shop Cherry Hill is a reminder that even the most beloved local fixtures aren't immune to the brutal realities of corporate finance. It wasn't that people stopped shopping there; it was that the company behind the scenes couldn't balance the books.
Next Steps for South Jersey Residents:
- Check the Garden State Pavilion's official leasing map for the latest confirmed tenant updates for the 2270 West Route 70 address.
- Pivot your seasonal shopping to local independent nurseries in the Cherry Hill/Moorestown area for holiday decor, as they have filled much of the void left by CTS.
- If you find "Christmas Tree Shop" products online, verify the seller. Many third-party sites are using the defunct brand's name to lure in former customers with scam "liquidation" deals that don't actually exist.