In January, the Chelten Market IGA in Germantown closed, leaving residents wondering what would move into the now-vacant building.
A group organized by the PennKnox neighbors’ group met recently to discuss what they’d like to see done with the property and how they could advocate for a new tenant.
Deneene Brockington, a local committee member and PennKnox group member, along with fellow PennKnox group member Kevin Zuber, organized the meeting.
A group of neighbors attended and discussed concerns about having a large vacant property in the area and what they’d like to see move in.
While many ideas were introduced, one consensus is that the neighbors do not want a dollar store to move into the space.
Zuber had attendees write down what they’d like to see at the property, with the intent to share the suggestions with local elected officials and neighborhood groups.
One idea was turning the space into a Market at the Fareway-style market with spaces for multiple businesses, creating an opportunity for local entrepreneurs. Others wanted to see a hardware store move into the property, or an affordable grocery store with better quality than the dollar stores.
“I think that the people who came into the meeting today were looking for a mixed-use farmers market space that will support and promote … hyper-entrepreneurs to have a space to showcase and sell their wares,” Brockington told the Local.
Zuber plans to share the group’s opinions with Germantown United CDC, Councilwoman Cindy Bass, and the property owners.