Over the last few years, Hampden Township in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, has been one of the places in the state to experience significant growth. Thus, it is no wonder that the township has attracted established retail companies for investment.

Aside from toy retail stores Babies R Us/Toys are Us, the township has also attracted grocery chains Giant and Weis Markets. Both grocery stores are planning to put up branches along Valley Road in Hampden County. Both companies have also presented their plans before the township’s Planning Commission. Weis Markets and Giant plan to put up their stores on unused locations. Once these projects are completed, the township will have four grocery stores for its residents to shop in.

Michael Gossert, Hampden Township’s manager, said the Giant is a little further in its plans as compared to Weis Markets. Gossert added that from its initial proposal of 100,000 square feet, Giant will occupy 90,000 square feet of land for its store, including a gas station. As the store is still waiting for approval from the commissioners of the township, construction of their store will most possibly start construction in the later part of the year.

As for Weis Markets, the company plans to build a 63,000 square foot branch and plans to hire 200 full time and part time employees once they begin operation. Included in the company’s beginning stages are plans to include some ‘green technology’ for its proposed establishment, like utilizing reflective roofs and solar rated windows. The proposed Hampden County Weis Market also plans to reduce its refrigerant consumption by 50%, as compared to conventional grocery stores.