Hillsborough Reviews Plan for 7 Brew Coffee and Urgent Care on Route 206
Developers submitted a plan to convert what remains into a 2,250-square-foot urgent care center and construct a separate 545-square-foot 7 Brew drive-thru coffee shop.
The Hillsborough Township Planning Board held an informal review on Feb. 5. Developers want to tear down part of an empty PNC Bank at 403 Route 206. PA 206, LLC, submitted a plan to convert what remains into a 2,250-square-foot urgent care center and construct a separate 545-square-foot 7 Brew drive-thru coffee shop.
The application must now go before the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Drive-thrus were banned after an ordinance change in 2024, so the project needs a variance.
Planning Director David Kois said the town center district requires applicants to come before the planning board for concept review first. The board can offer guidance about what comes next.
"You'll be giving recommendations and thoughts, but any actions or any comments the board makes are comments and ultimately have no bearing necessarily on the ultimate application, either as is to completeness and/or as to any decision by the applicable board, whether it's this one or the zoning board," said Kois to Patch.
The coffee shop will include a 200-square-foot walk-in cooler. If approved, this location would become the chain's first Somerset County site.
7 Brew started in Arkansas back in 2019. The company grew to about 600 coffee stands in 28 states last year. That's nearly double what they had.
The chain runs hundreds of stands around the country. Most are drive-thru only. They serve more than 20,000 drink combinations, with flavored syrups, sweet sauces, and milk alternatives available.
New Jersey has five locations. The most recent one opened in Gloucester Township in January.
The company promotes quick service at its drive-thru-only model. The proposed 403 Route 206 site sits in a section of the township that underwent zoning changes affecting commercial development.
