New Supermarket Gets Liquor License to Serve Wine and Beer

In August, New Century Associates announced that Weis Market would replace the vacant space that used to be a Pathmark in the Marketplace at Huntingdon Valley.

The property owners are prepared to invest $5-8 million in improvements for the supermarket, and increase the space from 52,000 square feet to 62,000 feet. But one aspect of the new store that will set it apart from others is the ability to purchase alcohol.

The Upper Moreland Board of Commissioners approved the liquor license for Weis Market and customers will now be able to purchase and be served alcohol in Huntingdon Valley. Commissioners Joseph Lavalle and Kevin Spearing voted against it.

Part of the renovations will include a café for hot food and lunches. According to New Century Associates partner Stan Casacio, customers will be able to consume alcohol by the glass while in the 32-seat café.

Customers will be held to a two-drink maximum while in the store and people will be able to carry out up to 192 fluid ounces, or the equivalent to two six-packs.

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

Casacio said they wanted a Weis Market in this location because there are no other markets like it in the area. The closest 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."

The store is expected to open sometime during the summer into the fall.

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