Weis Markets Coming to Huntingdon Valley Shopping Center

Weis Markets will soon occupy the vacant property in the Marketplace at Huntingdon Valley that was formerly a .

New Century Associates, the property owner of the Marketplace at Huntingdon Valley, announced it has agreed to terms with Weis for a new supermarket with heavy renovations.

The new supermarket will be extended from its current size of 52,000 square feet to 62,000 square feet.

"Total rehab of the store starting from interior demolition along with all of the renovations that they are putting in - we're talking about millions of dollars - $5-8 million worth of improvements," New Century Associations partner Stan Casacio said. "Weis wants to make this one of their flagship supermarkets in the area."

Part of the renovations includes a brand new food court that will serve hot food and lunches. According to Casacio, customers will be able to order a glass of wine or beer while eating there. In Pennsylvania it's legal for supermarkets to sell alcohol if it operates a cafe. As of Feb. 2012, Weis currently sells beer in 12 of its locations.

"It's becoming a trend in supermarkets now," Casacio said.

Casacio said February or March would be a "realistic expectation" for construction to be completed.

This will be the first Weis Markets in the local area.

The cloest Weis stores are located in Conshocken, Norristown, Lansdale and Doylestown.

"It's an area that doesn't really have a market," Casacio said. "From our location, almost back to Willow Grove, there are almost no supermarkets in the area."

A&P - the owners of the former Pathmark - declared bankruptcy two years ago and the Pathmark in the HV Shopping Center was forced to close in February.

There were other businesses interested in the vacant property, but Casacio wouldn't comment any further than saying .

Before Pathmark, this location was occupied by Superfresh when the shopping center opened in 1992.

"This idea came to the floor, and they are a very good, family-owned company," Casacio said. "As a family-owned business ourselves, we kind of relate to that ... It was always going to be a supermarket, all of the retailers in the shopping center are extremely excited about it."