Old Taco Bell in Turnersville, NJ May Be Demolished

One of the last remaining original Taco Bell buildings in the area could soon be torn down after sitting vacant for years.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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An old-school Taco Bell restaurant in Turnersville, New Jersey, which has been vacant since 2014, may soon be demolished to make way for a new Take 5 oil change store. The building, which was one of the last remaining original Taco Bell designs in the area, featured a distinct boxy shape, clay tile roof, and a bell at the peak that has long since disappeared.

Why it matters

The potential demolition of this Taco Bell represents the loss of a piece of 1980s South Jersey history and the continued "greyboxification" of fast food restaurants, where unique architectural designs are being replaced by generic, uniform buildings.

The details

The original Taco Bell on the Black Horse Pike in Washington Township, Gloucester County, opened in the 1980s and closed around 2014 when a new Taco Bell location opened nearby. The old building has sat vacant since then, but now plans have been submitted to demolish it and build a new Take 5 oil change store on the site.

  • The original Taco Bell opened in the 1980s.
  • The Taco Bell closed around 2014.
  • A hearing on the plans to demolish the old Taco Bell and build a Take 5 is set for March 6, 2026.

The players

Taco Bell

An American fast food restaurant chain known for its Mexican-inspired menu items.

Take 5 Oil Change

A national chain of quick oil change service centers.

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What they’re saying

“As much as I would love to see that building preserved, the inside has got to be in rough shape. Even if someone wanted to reopen it as a restaurant, it's probably cheaper to tear it down and start over.”

— Chris Coleman, South Jersey native and brand manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM (973espn.com)

What’s next

A hearing on the plans to demolish the old Taco Bell and build a Take 5 oil change store is set for the evening of March 6, 2026.

The takeaway

The potential demolition of this old Taco Bell building highlights the ongoing loss of unique architectural designs and historical landmarks in the fast food industry, as chains increasingly opt for generic, uniform building styles over preserving remnants of the past.