SOUTH ABINGTON TWP. — Stalled in recent years over the construction of a large retaining wall, the Shoppes at South Abington project on Northern Boulevard — which also includes a Sheetz and a Wendy’s — took a major step forward Tuesday toward resuming work and finally getting them open.
At a special meeting Tuesday, the township supervisors and a firm of the new developer of the site, Chris Gilchrist, reached a “development agreement” involving reconstructing a retaining wall, posting bonds and securing insurance and easements related to the project.
A vehicle drives past the new Sheetz on Northern Blvd. in South Abington Twp. Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Original developer Ankim Shah started the project in 2020 after demolition of the former Nichols Village Hotel & Spa. The Shoppes site is situated between the existing Sheetz and the bridge that carries the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike over Routes 6 and 11 (Northern Boulevard).
The project took shape over time in development of two levels. One level is at grade with Northern Boulevard and contains the Sheetz, Wendy’s and steel framing for another building. The other level is situated behind these structures and atop a retaining wall separating the lower and upper sections. There are no structures on the upper level as yet.
Another large, long retaining wall was constructed along the mountainside at the rear of the property.
The retaining wall supporting the upper level, and which wraps around the Sheetz, has been the focus in recent years of a dispute over its construction and protracted negotiations between the township and developer over getting it fixed.
Gilchrist entered the picture in late 2024 with his firms buying and controlling the site that had been “condominiumized” into several sections.
His firm tested the rear retaining wall and took a section of it down and someone posted on social media that the wall caved in, and the township issued a stop-work order; that led to the past 16 months of negotiations involving the other retaining wall, Gilchrist said in an interview at the Township Building after the special meeting.
“That’s how this all started,” Gilchrist said. “There’s a lot to it. It’s a very complicated project. We wanted to get this done so we can get Sheetz and Wendy’s open.”
Negotiations on a development agreement centered on the scope of work to redo the front retaining wall, which had lacked engineering certification, and putting in place various protections for the township, municipal Solicitor William Jones explained during a supervisors’ meeting in February.
An aerial view of the Shoppes at South Abington on Northern Blvd. in S. Abington Twp. Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The agreement reached Tuesday involves redoing the front retaining wall in two separate sections, including one section behind Wendy’s and the steel structure, and the other section wrapping around Sheetz, Jones said.
The agreement has the developer posting a $2.6 million bond regarding the retaining wall behind Sheetz and $770,000 bond regarding the wall behind Wendy’s. The project will involve removal of 8,500 square feet of block, geogrid reinforcement, drainage stone and backfill, among other aspects.
Gilchrist also still must obtain easements from the neighboring turnpike highway and Norfolk Southern Railroad, Jones said.
Supervisors noted the stalled Shoppes project has been a source of much speculation and conversation in the community.
“Is this (agreement ) going to get us any steps closer to getting that project up there completed so it’s not an eyesore?” Supervisor Chairman Mark Dougherty asked.
Jones said the pact gives 12 months for both sections of walls to get completed. It’s also possible the work could get done sooner. The wall behind Wendy’s is not as large as the wall at the other end behind Sheetz, and thus could get done first, allowing Wendy’s to open first, Gilchrist said.
Supervisor John Hambrose asked about the status of the rear retaining wall along the mountainside. Jones said the developer will come back with another plan in the future to fix that wall.
Hambrose also asked if the agreement adequately protects the township and taxpayers. Jones replied the pact provides as much protection as possible.
Gilchrist attorney Sam Falcone said his client is committed to properly completing the project.
“Over the past several months, there have been a number of engineers that have all looked at this. There have been a lot of eyes on this to make sure we have everything correct because no one wants to see this be done for a third time,” Falcone said. “The professionals have examined this over and over.”
Gilchrist also told the supervisors, “It will be done and done correctly.”
Dougherty said, “I think our constituents, our public, will be glad to hear we’re moving forward in the right direction in the way it should be done. We’re all excited and glad to move forward. I’m glad everybody is on the same page, and let’s just get it done.”
Supervisors voted 3-0 — with Dougherty, Hambrose and Donald Snyder all in favor — to pass a resolution to conditionally approve the execution of the development agreement.
Efforts were unsuccessful Tuesday to reach Shah, as well as corporate representatives for Sheetz and Wendy’s.
Gilchrist also owns the current Sheetz site next door to the Shoppes site. Once the new Sheetz opens at the Shoppes, Gilchrist intends to raze the existing Sheetz store and and build a new project there.
The entrance to the new Sheetz on Northern Blvd. in South Abington Twp. Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
A sign for The Shoppes at South Abington on Northern Boulevard in South Abington Township on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
A front retaining wall wrappng behind a new Sheetz at The Shoppes at South Abington on Northern Boulevard in South Abington Township on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
A front retaining wall behind a new Wendy’s at The Shoppes at South Abington on Northern Boulevard in South Abington Township on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
A rear retaining wall of The Shoppes at South Abington on Northern Boulevard in South Abington Township on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
The South Abington Township supervisors, from left, Donald Snyder, Chairman Mark Dougherty, and John Hambrose, and township Solicitor William Jones, at right,, during a special meeting Tuesday, May 5, 2026 to approve a developer’s agreement with The Shoppes at South Abington project. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
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A sign for The Shoppes at South Abington on Northern Boulevard in South Abington Township on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)