About the Washington Street Mall
THE HEART OF AMERICA'S ORIGINAL SEASIDE RESORT
The picturesque Washington Street Mall, located in Cape May, New Jersey, is home to more than 75 establishments in the heart of America’s original seaside resort. This open-air, pedestrian-friendly destination spans three blocks of Washington Street—closed to vehicular traffic—and extends into adjoining portions of Ocean Street, Decatur Street, Jackson Street, Perry Street, Carpenters Lane, and Lyle Lane.
The Mall features a diverse mix of unique boutiques, specialty shops, fine dining restaurants, bars, casual eateries, sweet treats, activities, and services—most of which are locally owned and operated. Often considered Cape May’s town square, the Mall offers numerous benches, lush gardens, shady trees, historic markers, gas lamps, and bistro-style string lights, along with countless Instagram-worthy photo spots.
Attracting visitors from Cape May, neighboring Jersey Shore towns, and up-and-down the East Coast, the Washington Street Mall is a must-visit destination full of charm, character, and coastal atmosphere.
The Washington Street Mall in June 1972.
Dedicated June 24th, 1971, the Mall was a construction project of the City of Cape May's Urban Renewal Program, which took place from 1965 to 1971. The purpose of the program was to turn the heart of Cape May into a charming showplace complete with a revitalized downtown area to attract hundreds of thousands of tourists while also improving quality of life for residents as well.
With its famous shopping, delicious cuisine, and so much more, plan your visit to the Mall today!
Management of the Mall
In 2008, in conjunction with a major renovation of the Mall, the City of Cape May created the Washington Street Mall Business Improvement District. A special assessment is imposed on properties within the District for the purposes of promoting the economic and general welfare of the District and the City. Funds are used for holiday decorations, landscaping, marketing, and other uses.
The Washington Street Mall Management Company, Inc. is a nonprofit Corporation created to receive and allocate the funds and manage the Mall. Its Board of Directors meets regularly.
Meeting dates and minutes: 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026
Washington Street Mall Management Company, Inc.
PO Box 2338
Cape May, NJ 08204
Have a question about the Mall? Please see our Map & FAQ page as most questions can be answered there. Still cannot find an answer? Feel free to email us at wsmcapemay@gmail.com.
Marketing services are handled by George Swoyer/Swoyer Services, who can be contacted at georgehswoyer@gmail.com.
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT
PROUD MEMBER
PROUD MEMBER