KFC, Wendy’s coming to Rt. 443
ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID W. ROWE/TIMES NEWS
A Kentucky Fried Chicken and Wendy’s will be joining the fast food row along Route 443 in Mahoning Township.
Contacted Thursday afternoon, local businessman Joe Bennett confirmed the pair of fast food chains will be among six new businesses located along the 2.56 acres of land.
Bennett Family Properties purchased the land at 844 and 848 Blakeslee Blvd. East from St. Luke’s Hospital of Bethlehem at a cost of $407,000.
Bennett, managing partner of Bennett Family Properties LLC, 619 Iron St., Lehighton, said there will be an additional four new businesses that will occupy the properties.
While a KFC and Wendy’s are a sure thing, Bennett said the fate of the other four new businesses rest in the hands of the state Department of Transportation.
“I’m waiting on a decision from PennDOT as to whether they need the property for the 443 street widening project,” Bennett said. “I’m told it’s (the street widening project) is supposed to start next year.”
The properties are currently empty lots just to the east of Aldi, Bennett said.
Bennett said in January that he had a lot of interest from restaurant users in that location, and that he purchased it to develop the properties and add franchises that aren’t currently in the area.
He said they also own the property to the left of NAPA Auto Parts, which is not yet developed on the west side, between NAPA and AutoZone; the AutoZone; Fastenal, a wholesale industrial and commercial supply business; along with the houses to the left of Fastenal at 102 and 104 Blakeslee Blvd. East.
Additionally, Bennett is also managing partner of Lehighton Development LLC, which brought the St. Luke’s Care Now in Lehighton, at 575 S. Ninth St. off Route 443.
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