Business & Tech

Bryn Mawr ACME to Close for 10 Months During Construction

A plan that's been around for five years to create a new, flagship ACME will tear down both the existing store and neighboring building that used to be a Jaguar dealership by mid-May.

The Bryn Mawr ACME will be closing its doors within two months—but only temporarily, before it reopens as what one ACME source said would be a “flagship” store.

In a project that started in 2006 to not just renovate but completely replace and expand the existing ACME that’s been there since 1956, construction is finally set to begin sometime in May, said Paul Freehart, senior manager of construction and project management for Supervalu, which owns ACME, at Monday night’s Bryn Mawr Civic Association meeting.

The 601 W. Lancaster Ave. site straddles Lower Merion and Haverford townships, with the larger portion being in the latter. Part of the ACME parking lot sits in Lower Merion Township. 

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The new ACME will be expanding to encompass 631 W. Lancaster Ave., which is the old Jaguar building, Freehart said. Both existing buildings will be razed before construction begins on an entirely new ACME, an undertaking that will add more than 10,000 square feet to the store.

Freehart said the new building will be red brick, and will have streetscape elements, including between 35 and 40 shade trees. Currently, there are no trees on the site, he added.

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They also plan to increase the width of the sidewalk along Lancaster Avenue and to create a right-only turn lane on Pennswood Road, Freehart said.

Freehart commented he hopes to have the ACME stay full-service through Easter and tentatively close on May 13, though he would prefer to close on May 6. The final decision on the actual date should be made Wednesday, he said, adding he’s committed to holding the grand reopening of the ACME on March 2, 2012.

“We can’t close the store until we know we can start building another one,” Freehart said. “It’s been a very difficult road. I’ve never seen something so many people want yet not be able to come to a consensus.”

Lower Merion Township Ward 10 Commissioner Scott Zelov said he’s been working closely with Haverford Township Ward 5 Commissioner Jeff Heilmann to encourage communication and cooperation between the townships’ building departments.

“Given the restrictions on the site, including the need to keep the alley open, it’s a very good plan,” Zelov said. “ACME has been very receptive to suggestions for improving their landscaping, improving the building design, improving the traffic flow, and I like the result. I’m glad they’re building a brand new building and completely demolishing the existing building. And doing so in 10 months will be difficult while it’s occurring, but a new, cleaner, larger ACME will be a benefit to all.”

He said the new store would benefit the neighbors, community and the Bryn Mawr business district.

Rosalind Benner, who was shopping at ACME on Tuesday, agreed.

She had not yet heard of the plans to close and re-open the store, but said she is new to the area and is a frequent ACME shopper. She said she would commute to shop at other area ACME stores during the reconstruction period.

“I think it’s a good idea,” Benner said. “It’s so small — a bigger store can serve the community a lot better.”

However, some residents are concerned about those 10 months the ACME will be closed because of people — including students at Harcum College and those who live in nearby apartment buildings — who walk to the store. And though this plan has been in the works for more than five years, some are not aware of the impending temporary closing of the ACME.

Bryn Mawr resident Jean Lynch said she has known about the plans for a new ACME for years, and while she does not care much since she doesn’t do her main shopping there, she knows other residents are concerned.

“I know some older women who can count on just walking in here,” Lynch said, adding many church parishioners stop in every Sunday. “I think it’s going to be a very hard thing for people.”

She said some people are concerned it will come down and not re-open as planned, especially in light of the recent permanent closing of the Wayne ACME.

“But progress just keeps going, and we have to go with the flow,” Lynch said.

Bryn Mawr resident Karen Barton shops at ACME nearly every day for small items while she’s walking, she said.

“I found out on Sunday that my next-door neighbor of years had just found out that it was closing, and that really made me mad,” Barton said.

Barton has been working to get the word out about the closing, and said she has been in touch with people from Harcum College and from the Bryn Mawr Consumer Center, as well as stopping into the Sunoco A-Plus stores and the nearby Foodsource, in order to do so. Barton said she has also been reaching out to ACME in an effort to set up a shuttle service to other area ACME stores.

“I’m just going to have to stop getting things without planning,” Barton said. “I’m just going to have to drive. It’s just going to be an inconvenience. For some people, I’m afraid, it’s going to be more than an inconvenience.”

And about the new ACME, Barton says she doesn’t care about it.

“I’m not one of those people who was complaining about the aisles being too narrow or the ceilings being dirty — I didn’t see any of that,” Barton said. “I saw that they had what I needed.”

Ryan Noyes, ACME’s manager of government and community relations who is also a Bryn Mawr resident, said he doesn’t yet know where those who work at the Bryn Mawr store will go, but that they will be working in nearby ACME stores. Noyes said priority No. 1 is to reduce prices for customers, and that would not include a shuttle service to other area ACME stores.

“We’re just not in a position right now to be offering to drop off grocery bags to people’s front doorsteps,” Noyes said. “We’re just not there right now. We’re focused on rescuing this company.”

Noyes said he’s been active in working with and responding to those who have reached out to him, including township commissioners and community advocates, and he hopes the community knows that he cares.

He said the new ACME will be a flagship store, unique to any other store in the chain, and parking will also increase substantially.

“Basically, we’re very excited about this project,” Noyes said. “Everyone’s just totally stoked about it. It’s been a difficult, challenging year for ACME and for this industry. We have a few things to celebrate — this is one of them, and we’re definitely looking forward to opening back up and having a party.”


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