Movement on Moose Juice Bar

After a lot of reported miscommunication, West Deptford and Moose Juice Bar owner Tobey Karpicz seem to be getting talks back on track to bring the cafe services business to the RiverWinds community center.


Township administrator Eric Campo confirmed Wednesday that the RiverWinds Advisory Board submitted revised recommendations to West Deptford solicitor Anthony Ogozalek "with a reduced surety and first and last months' rent." 

Ogozalek confirmed in an e-mail to Patch that the board is "making a counter-offer with regards to the lease terms." 

The finances of the deal had been a stumbling block to negotiations, because the contract as awarded required Karpicz to secure $30,000 in funding—a full year's rent—up front.

Karpicz, who was treated to an impromptu update on the status of the project in print, has since maintained that he wants to try to get a deal done.

Calls to Karpicz were not returned, but Campo said he expects the negotiations to continue.

"The bottom line is what's best for RiverWinds and the residents of West Deptford," said RiverWinds Advisory Board Chair Jeff Hansen.

"So right now it's between Tobey and the township and our solicitor, and if they can get it done, great; if not we'll put it back to RFP and try to get something in there as quickly as possible."