Lidl Buys Snuffy's Property In Scotch Plains, Looks To Add Store

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — The chances of a Lidl's store finally opening up shop in Scotch Plains once again looks promising.

During the Nov. 10 Downtown Redevelopment Committee, Thomas Strowe, Scotch Plain's director of redevelopment, confirmed that Lidl's had purchased the Snuffy's Pantagis Renaissance property.

“We received a noticed through our tax office from the title company paying all outstanding taxes and sewer taxes on the property and that Lidl has actually purchased it," Strowe said during the meeting.

In 2017, Lidl originally entered into a lease agreement with the site's owner with plans to open a grocery store.

Two years later, the Scotch Plains Mayor and Council then approved plans to allow Lidl to move forward on construction at 250 Park Ave.

However, those plans ultimately fell through.

“They actually submitted a site plan to the planning board, and then depending on who you talk to there was some disagreements there between Lidl and the owners and things kind of never moved forward at that time," Strowe said.

According to Strowe, Lidl's new site plans are similar to the previous ones with the exception of a few minor changes.

As for what's next?

"We’ll prepare the amendments to the redevelopment plan that we would like to introduce early next year, and then go before the council," said Strowe. "If it’s adopted as long as they [Lidl] adopt a conforming site plan, they’ll go to the planning board, and then they’ll move forward."

The German-based grocery chain operates around 11,200 stores and is active in 32 countries, employing more than 310,000 people globally.

In June 2015, Lidl established its U.S. headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. Today, the company sells its products in more than 100 stores in nine states across the East Coast.

SEE ALSO:

• Lidl No Longer Coming To Scotch Plains, New Developer Sought
• Dispute Over Snuffy's Closing After Lidl Opening Announced