Developers are actively marketing the currently vacant lot along Route 61 in North Manheim Township. (David McCune – Republican Herald)
The former Days Inn and Mach's Gut Candle Barn sites along Route 61 in North Manheim Township are being marketed for development.
Cale Bruso, an employee at retail brokerage firm Bennett Williams Commercial, said he has spoken to “a lot of sit-down restaurants” as well as “coffee lovers across the country.”
He did not identify the companies.
The former Days Inn building was demolished last summer. The south building, which was the scene of a fire that was determined to be arson on March 15, 2019, was demolished in June. The north building was also constructed in July.
MBC Carlyle LP (Schuylkill Haven), a division of Miller Brothers Construction Co., purchased the property at 1476 Route 61 on May 25 for $600,000. Mach's Gut Candleburn, located at 1468 Route 61, was also purchased by MBC Carlyle on May 24 for his $500,000. It was demolished in September.
The site's listing online calls the establishment “Shoppes@Schuylkill.”
“We expect this project to be 80% to 90% retail,” Bruso said.
He said two leases could be signed by late April or early May.
Bruso grew up in Schuylkill County and found it “always difficult to get larger groups together” for economic development.
“I think people are finally seeing the light in Schuylkill County,” he said.
