It’s official — a grocery store for Birdsboro checks out! Borough Council announced that Boyer’s Food Markets will be coming to the borough as early as this time next year. Residents have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of a grocery store since the Birdsboro IGA closed two and a half years ago.
Councilman Steve Lusky and Mayor Robert Myers presented the preliminary plan of The Square at St. Mark’s Square to the community at the Monday, Dec. 9 council meeting.
Even with their political differences, Lusky and Myers worked together, along with borough manager Aaron Durso, to bring a grocery store to the borough.
Boyer’s Food Markets, headquartered in Orwigsburg, has entered into an agreement with MB Investments to locate a 25,000- to 27,000-square-foot market within a town square development to be built on land adjacent to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
Boyer’s operates 17 stores throughout northeastern Pa., three of which are located in Berks County.
The shopping center will be located at West First and South Furnace streets in Birdsboro and will be built on the five acres of property purchased from St. Mark’s Lutheran church.
‘It’s hard for them (St. Mark’s Lutheran Church) to do that with their property because it’s been in ..their church family for a long time. They deserve a lot of credit for what they did,’ Lusky said. Lusky said the main entrance to The Square at St. Mark’s Square will be off West First Street, with a 24-foot-wide entrance way and sidewalks. The artist’s rendering shows parking spaces for about 110 vehicles. Lusky credited Pat Mascero for naming the shopping center as a way to give back to church’s congregation.
‘It’s refreshing — the spirit that’s here and the cooperation…you’re going to get it in a timley manner,’ Mascero said. ‘This time next year, you’ll have something really good.’
Dean Walker, president of Boyer’s Food Markets, and Mascaro attended the council meeting, along with T.J. Huckleberry, a representative from state Sen. Judy Schwank’s office, county Commissioner Christian Leinbach and a representative from the Berks County Redevelopment Authority.
‘We can offer everything to a community of this size…[and] meet the needs without having to be this gigantic 60,000-square-foot store.’ Dean Walker, president of Boyer’s, said. ‘We can offer you everything that those stores do but in a nice package that fits communities.’
The store is estimated to bring anywhere from 65 to 80 jobs to the community.
Walker expressed that the community of Birdsboro is perfect for a Boyer’s. On behalf of Boyer’s Food Market, Walker presented a $1,000 check to council. ‘We hope they’re going to be a part of the community by next Christmas – we’d like to join in supporting your Christmas celebration with a donation,’ Walker said while presenting the check to council.
‘We are celebrating tonight a real community,’ Commissioner Christian Leinbach stated. ‘I complement everyone involved with the efforts.’
The store is anticipated to be ready to go by the end of next year.
