CHOP approved in Concord; Acme wants beer

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on July 1, 2014

Concord Township supervisors OK’d a plan for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to build a 100,000 square foot facility along Route 1 at the site of the former Ethan Allen store.

The board also heard a request from the Acme supermarket in the Concordville Town Centre for a liquor license transfer so it can serve beer — and eventually wine — in a soon to be constructed restaurant in the store.

There’s no date set for a ground breaking, but CHOP wants to build its outpatient specialty care facility in two phases. The first phase is for a 44,000 square foot section, followed by a 56,000 square foot section.

Motorists driving south on Route 1 will be able to make right turns into the property at two points, but left turns from northbound Route 1 still have to be ironed out. Cars may turn onto Conchester Road to enter from the rear, but there may be a chance for a left turn into the front. That, however, would be up to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, according to township engineer Nate Cline.

Supervisors will give their decision on Acme’s liquor license request at the Aug. 5 meeting. If approved, the inter-municipal license would be transferred from Trainer.

Acme wants to renovate the Concord store to include a 3,600 square foot restaurant — called The Frosted Mug at Acme — serving prepared foods, salads and sandwiches, according to Acme representative Dan Croce.

Counters and cases would separate the main supermarket area from the restaurant, but there will be areas where customers can cross into one from the other.

Beer sales will be limited to two glasses for dine-in patrons and no one with beer is allowed to leave the restaurant area with the drink. Takeout beer would be allowed, but limited to 196 ounces, the amount of two six-packs.

Croce said they also want to sell wine, but at a later date.

He answered yes when Supervisors’ Chairman Dominic Pileggi asked whether it would be similar to the restaurant at the Giant at Dilworthtown Road.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.