Walnutport officials say Giant has permits, set to open in 2019

A Giant Food Store is still on its way to Walnutport, borough officials say.

The status of the proposed food store was briefly discussed at Thursday’s borough council meeting.

It came up as council heard from Andrew Kleiner, director of external affairs at Lehigh Valley Economic Development Organization.

Kleiner told council he was in the midst of visiting communities throughout the Lehigh Valley to discuss developing properties, and asked council what the borough has in terms of businesses.

At that point it was stated that the borough is supposed to be getting a Giant, and that Giant has its permits.

Borough Mayor Wayne Weidner said it’s a good thing for the community that Giant plans to have a store in the borough.

Giant Food Stores announced in April plans to construct six new stores, one of which will be located at 300 S. Best Ave.

The store will include new fuel stations and 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, one of which is the store at 300 S. Best Ave. 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.