International coffee chain coming to Schuylkill
It's official: A well-known international coffee chain is coming to the former Days Inn property in North Manheim Twp.
The coffee company, which has a shop in Hamburg, Berks County, will be a first for Schuylkill County, said Mark Hoover, project manager for Miller Bros. Construction Inc.
'We're excited,' Hoover said Wednesday. 'We really wanted to bring something new to Schuylkill County.'
He would not confirm the name of the company planned for the 8-acre property at 1476 Route 61 South, formerly occupied by Days Inn. A March 2019 fire on the site was ruled arson.
MBC Carlisle LP, a division of Miller Bros., purchased the parcel for $600,000 in May 2023. For $500,000, MBC Carlisle bought the adjacent Mach's Gut Candle Barn and Beer Barn property at 1468 Route 61.
Both dilapidated buildings have since been demolished.
'Lot one could be open for business by the end of 2025 or early 2026,' Hoover said, referring to the coffee shop.
In other news, a national steakhouse chain, with a restaurant in Reading, could also locate on site, Hoover said.
Chipotle, a fast-casual Mexican chain, had plans to also establish a presence in the county at the site along 61, but then decided to 'pull back from secondary markets,' he said.
The lease terms were being finalized, but then Chipotle dropped out, he said.
'We were really disappointed, as we thought they would be a great addition to the county,' Hoover said.
Miller Bros., meanwhile, is hopeful they can continue conversations with the company.
'It's a not easy to get national brands to come here,' he said.
Plans submitted
Final subdivision and land development plans submitted Jan. 28 to the township call the proposed area Indian Rock Landing 'to pay homage to the Indian Rock on the mountain and the history of the county,' Hoover said.
A large outcropping juts from the mountain going south toward Cressona and is especially visible during the fall.
The township planning commission will review the plans at its 6 p.m. Thursday meeting at the township municipal building, 303 Manheim Road.
P.J. Melocheck, director of Engineering for Miller Bros., will discuss the plan.
'It's the first time it's coming before the planning commission,' Tami Stump, secretary/treasurer said Tuesday.
After a recommendation is given, whenever that is, the township board of supervisors must also act on the plan.
To date, plans show the lots to be built in phases. The first and second lots are planned for the first phase, lot three for the second phase and lot four for the last one.
The first three lots are proposed for proposed restaurant space, according to the plan. The fourth is shown as a proposed medical center. Hoover called plans for lot four 'very speculative' and likely to change.
If changes are made to the plan, the planning commission will have to review them.
Water will be provided by Schuylkill Haven with the Cressona Borough Authority providing sewer, according to the plan.
Required parking will meet or exceed township regulations.
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