Thursday, August 18, 2011

Panera Bread plans to move into former Blockbuster site at Northampton Crossings

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Panera Bread Co. plans to move into a former Blockbuster video store at Northampton Crossings, pending approval from Lower Nazareth Township.

National Realty and Development Corp., the owner of the shopping center, was referred to the township zoning board to seek necessary variances or waivers for the project, according to planning and zoning administrator Lori Seese.

National Realty executives met Monday with the township planning commission.

The building off Route 248 has been vacant since Blockbuster closed the store as part of downsizing last year.

The Panera project calls for adding a drive-through lane, more parking spaces, sign changes, expanding the 3,800-square-foot building by 60 feet, among other things, Seese said.

Seese said 12 variances are required for the project to comply with zoning ordinances that have been revised in recent years. A meeting with the zoning board has not been set.

Panera has a nearby location at Southmont Shopping Center in Bethlehem Township, Pa., plus others in the Phillipsburg, Bethlehem and Allentown areas.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/nazareth/index.ssf/2011/08/panera_bread_plans_to_move_int.html

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