Giant proposed for Walnutport to apply for liquor license

A proposed Giant food store in Walnutport plans to apply for a liquor license.

On a 5-0 vote, borough council on Thursday agreed to have solicitor Michael Corriere proceed with following the Liquor Control Act.

Corriere said a public hearing on the matter will likely be held sometime before the end of the year.

The borough is supposed to be getting a Giant at 300 S. Best Ave.

Ed Ziegler asked about the status of the Giant grocery store.

Councilwoman Patrice Hunsicker told Ziegler they’re in the building and are working.

Giant has its permits, and plan to have gas pumps outside the grocery store.

Giant Food Stores announced in April plans to construct six new stores, one of which will be located in the borough.

The store is expected to open at that location in 2019. It will replace the former Pathmark store.

In July 2015, grocery store chain A&P, which also operates Pathmark and Super Fresh stores in the area, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and planned to close or sell off stores due to heightened competition.

As part of that decision, 25 stores closed, including the one in Walnutport.

The building had previously housed a Super Fresh supermarket, and before that, a Kmart.

A Giant food store has been located in Lehighton since 2001.