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Bellmawr’s Former Coral Reef Property Sold For $600,000

This is a developing story and as of this posting, we do not know what the plans are for the property, only that it just recently sold.

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The property that was once home to the popular bar/restaurant the Coral Reef in Bellmawr officially sold in late January for $600,000.


The sale of the property did not include the un-sited plenary liquor license, which was transferred via probate in August, 2022.

This is a developing story and as of this posting, we do not know what the plans are for the property, only that it just recently sold.

Last year, we reported that the sale was pending and then it was withdrawn. The sale finally went through last month.

The Coral Reef was a well-known nightspot located at 317 S. Black Horse Pike, right off of the New Jersey Turnpike Exit 3.

It was destroyed by a fire on August 1, 2004. Crews received the first call shortly after 3 a.m. while about 75 patrons and employees were inside.

(Image credit: Haddonfield United/Facebook)

Remembering the Coral Reef

In the article from Firehouse, it was reported that several onlookers had gathered to watch the fire and were quoted in the article sharing stories about the Coral Reef:

One said: “It’s a place to give directions from…It’s such a big part of little Bellmawr. My father’s been coming here forever. I’ve been coming here forever.”

Another said: “I worked here 13 years…I was the DJ…We used to be hopping. Seven nights a week: packed. Sunday nights, me and a guy named Sonny. He sang Sinatra.”

On his podcast “A DJ’s Life”, DJ Brian Grayson (DJ Sly Bri) dedicated an entire episode to the Coral Reef.

In the episode description, Grayson shared his memories of the Coral Reef by writing:

The Coral Reef is gone, but certainly not forgotten. It burned down on August 1, 2004. This place deserves to be remembered and honored, and on this podcast I do just that. This volume is dedicated to the owners, managers, and bartenders at the Coral Reef, who treated me like family and forgave my immaturity numerous times, just like a family does. It is also dedicated to the hundreds of great people I met working there and the many fine bands I had the pleasure of working with. I miss “the Reef.” So do countless others.

We will continue to follow this story and provide updates once new information becomes available.