The grocery void left by the closure of Acme will soon come to an end, as the Towamencin Township Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve plans that will bring German grocery chain Lidl to the 1100 block of Welsh Road.
According to The Reporter, the board of supervisors granted a waiver of the formal land development approval process on Wednesday night, which was the final step required prior to the beginning of construction. Lidl plans to divide the 61,000-square-foot building into two tenant spaces, and will occupy the nearly 30,000-square-foot parcel closest to Oak Boulevard.
There is currently no tenant for the second half of the property.
“Lidl is very excited about this project,” said representing attorney Howard Brown, “and is excited about being in Towamencin Township.”
According to Sam Kachidza, senior real estate manager for Lidl US, the Towamencin site is one of eight Lidl grocery stores that will open in Pennsylvania. During the January meeting, Kachidza stated that Lidl would be hiring a minimum of 30 employees.
“I’d like to thank you,” Supervisor Laura Smith said, during the January board of supervisors meeting. “Because with the other grocery store being gone, it left a hole in the community, not only our community, but the Borough of Lansdale. It’s been a big impact. Having you go there versus storage units is important. it has great purpose for us and the community and I appreciate you giving Towamencin a second chance.”
Lidl’s primary competitor is Aldi, which is poised to open up down the road in Hatfield Township at the former Clemens location at Ralph’s Corner. Kachidza said that in Germary, there is very little that distinguishes the two brands, but Lidl’s tend to be bigger, as Aldi stores typically occupy 16,000 to 20,000 square feet.
“In terms of product offering, we each have our markets we cater to, and it’s different here,” Kachidza said. “It’s up to the consumer to decide which two they prefer. We are a local grocer, and we aim and thrive to be a local grocer.”
See also:
Freddy’s Steakburgers Receives Approval From Towamencin Board
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Lidl Aims For 2019 Opening at Former Towamencin Acme Site
