A developer is set to build a 72-unit apartment building on Johnson City property once occupied by popular discount store Philadelphia Sales.
The Regan Development Corporation of Westchester County plans to build the mixed-use project at 333 Grand Avenue. The four-acre site is adjacent to train tracks and is located east of Highway 201.
The village had acquired the property from United Health Services in June 2020 for $200,000. It was to be used as a new site for the Johnson City Public Works Department, but that plan was scrapped.
A vacant site at 333 Grand Avenue on October 25, 2022. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Now developer Larry Regan wants to build a four-story complex on the site. In addition to the apartments, the building would include 6,200 square feet of retail space.
Mayor Martin Meaney said the project is moving forward. He said preliminary work on the site had been carried out. Funding is yet to be finalized.
Regan oversaw the $29 million redevelopment of two Endicott Johnson buildings that were abandoned a few years ago. Over 100 apartments have been built in the former Century and Sunrise structures.
A section of a former parking lot on the site of the former Philadelphia Retail Store in Johnson City. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
The Grand Avenue property where the new project is to be built housed the iconic Philadelphia Sales store from 1959. The retailer operated on the site for nearly four decades.
As “Phillies”, the place was known for its slogan “We bought!” and for goods invoiced as “slightly irregular”. He was also famous for the special popcorn aroma that floated throughout the store.
A sports complex occupied the old building for a few years before it was demolished.
Contact Bob Joseph, WNBF News reporter: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For the latest story development news and updates, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.
