Beloved Jersey Shore Restaurant Will Be Auctioned Online. See Opening Bid Price.

07 Sep, 2025 - Tranzon Alderfer

As seen in the NJ News Report

The Exit Zero Filling Station, a prominent West Cape May restaurant property, will be sold through an online auction with the opening bids starting at $2 million.

The establishment is set to close its doors on Sept. 20.

Owner Jack Wright, who listed the property for $4.7 million earlier this year, opted for an auction format.

The property at 110 Sunset Boulevard sits at a busy intersection just three blocks from the beach and in proximity to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal.

“My assumption is that the person who purchases it will either be a restaurant owner or a person who can see it as a prime development location three blocks from the ocean on Cape May Island,” Wright said.

He added that the location “would also be perfect for a condo development.”

The property spans an entire block with frontage on three sides, according to Bob Dann of Tranzon, the nationwide real estate auction company handling the sale.

“People love Exit Zero and are sad to see it close,” Dann said. “Maybe we will find a new restaurant owner to continue the tradition.”

Wright has already sold the restaurant’s plenary liquor license for $850,000 to Curtis Bashaw, a Cape May businessman and real estate developer who sold the same license to Wright in 2021.

Bashaw is a managing partner in Cape Resorts, which owns the historic Congress Hall in Cape May.

The restaurant, which opened in a former gas station, became known for its unique outdoor dining featuring a converted 1949 Chevy truck that seated eight diners. The truck and kitchen equipment are not included in the auction.

Online property previews are scheduled for Sept. 11 and Sept. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bidding opens at 1 p.m. on Sept. 26 and closes at 1 p.m. on Oct. 1.

Bidders must register on the Tranzon website to participate in the auction or view the property. https://www.tranzon.com/ap25084

Until its closure, Exit Zero will operate Wednesday through Friday from 4 p.m. and Saturday from noon.

The restaurant’s retail and publishing operations will relocate to the Washington Street Mall, and existing gift cardholders can redeem their cards for merchandise through the company’s online store.

The restaurant was featured as one of the 11 best in the Cape May area in NJ.com’s 2025 ranking.