A BRIEF HISTORY OF EXIT ZERO

2003 Jack Wright, an award-winning newspaper and magazine editor in London and New York, launches a black-and-white weekly magazine in Cape May, in partnership with Curtis Bashaw, a local hotelier and developer. The magazine is named Exit Zero, a cheeky take on Cape May’s placement at the end of the 172-exit Garden State Parkway. The magazine’s mission is to promote the appeal of Cape May with a fresh, relevant voice.

2004 Wright buys out his partner and establishes Exit Zero Publishing Inc as the sole owner.

2005 A small retail store, selling Exit Zero-branded apparel and Cape May artwork produced by the company’s newly appointed staff artist, opens in Congress Hall, downtown Cape May.

2005 The company publishes its first annual Cool Cape May, a high-quality, full-color, hardcover guide book distributed to the majority of tourist accommodations in Cape May.

2006 The company becomes one of the earliest tenants at Cape May Airport, renovating a space to create an office inside the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum.

2006 The first glossy quarterly color issue of Exit Zero is published, as a companion to the weekly publication, featuring beautiful photography and long-form stories.

2009 Exit Zero leaves the airport and combines its office and retail store in a new location, on Sunset Boulevard, West Cape May.

2009 A local history book, The First Resort, is published by the company and goes on to sell more than 12,000 copies (to date) over three editions. It’s named one of the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Books of the Year in 2009.

2012 The retail store doubles in size, knocking through the wall to take over the adjoining unit next door. Later that year, a second retail store is added on the Cape May beachfront, a three-year lease with the Montreal Inn group.

2013 Exit Zero expands into Wildwood, invited by Morey’s Piers to create an innovative pop-up store from shipping containers located on the Wildwood boardwalk.

2015 When a restaurant adjoining the Exit Zero store becomes available, the company knocks through another wall and creates Exit Zero Cookhouse, offering Indian and Thai curries that aren’t available within 40 miles of Cape May. The Cookhouse is ranked as the number one restaurant in Cape May by TripAdvisor that summer.

2016 A Cape May investment group purchases a gas station opposite Exit Zero and invites the company to take over a custom-built restaurant, retail store, gas station and offices.

2018 The new Exit Zero Filling Station opens. It’s named by New Jersey magazine as one of the 30 best new restaurants in the state.

2019 West Cape May’s first-ever liquor license is added to the restaurant. A new bar is built as part of a renovation.

2020 Exit Zero received national recognition on ABC news for its innovative vintage trailers, which were repurposed as private dining spaces to allow diners to eat safely and in comfort, while still outdoors.

2021 Exit Zero took over the restaurants and retail at the Cape May-Lewes ferry terminal in 2021 after signing a 10-year lease with Delaware River & Bay Authority.

2022 The gas pumps were removed as Exit Zero retired from the gas-pumping business to focus on planning a beautiful new outdoor dining space. But the Filling Station name and vibe will remain!

From 2006-09, Exit Zero Publishing was headquartered in a World War Two office space at the Naval Air Station Wildwood at Cape May Airport.

From 2006-09, Exit Zero Publishing was headquartered in a World War Two office space at the Naval Air Station Wildwood at Cape May Airport.

The premier issue of Exit Zero hit the streets of Cape May on July 3, 2003, featuring lifeguards DJ Draus and Greg Oldham.

The premier issue of Exit Zero hit the streets of Cape May on July 3, 2003, featuring lifeguards DJ Draus and Greg Oldham.

Exit Zero owner Jack Wright channels Scott of the Antarctic during the great blizzard of February 2010, when some Cape May homes went five days without power. The Exit Zero Store remained open!

Exit Zero owner Jack Wright channels Scott of the Antarctic during the great blizzard of February 2010, when some Cape May homes went five days without power. The Exit Zero Store remained open!

Polish computer science student Maciek Nabrdalik worked as a lifeguard at Congress Hall pool in 2003. That summer, he began shooting photos for Exit Zero. He soon reached legendary status locally, and went on to become an acclaimed photographer, working on projects such as Chernobyl, Syrian refugees, and publishing a book on Holocaust survivors.

Polish computer science student Maciek Nabrdalik worked as a lifeguard at Congress Hall pool in 2003. That summer, he began shooting photos for Exit Zero. He soon reached legendary status locally, and went on to become an acclaimed photographer, working on projects such as Chernobyl, Syrian refugees, and publishing a book on Holocaust survivors.

Exit Zero opened its first restaurant, Exit Zero Cookhouse, in 2015. Three years later, it moved across the street on Sunset Boulevard and morphed into Exit Zero Filling Station.

Exit Zero opened its first restaurant, Exit Zero Cookhouse, in 2015. Three years later, it moved across the street on Sunset Boulevard and morphed into Exit Zero Filling Station.