New Weis Market Wants Space for ‘Beer’ Sign

The new building in Fogelsville will be about five times larger than the nearby, and that got the company thinking that one sign for the grocery store just wouldn’t do.

Instead of one sign on each side of the building, it wants three signs on just one side, but that required a variance from the Zoning Board.

The grocery store chain asked for and received a variance to allow more signs on the storefront, at 7801 Glenlivet West Drive.

David Gill, director of architecture for Weis, said, “We just want to place [the signage] appropriately for the size and architecture of the building.”

The building is going to be about 80,000 square feet with 68,000 square feet for Weis, and the rest for rental space. The company wants to put up a large 163-square-foot “Weis” sign above the entrance, plus a smaller 43-square-foot “Pharmacy” sign and 19-square-foot “Beer” sign. The smaller signs would flank the "Weis" sign.

One side of the new building faces houses, and Weis didn’t want to put signage in that direction.

“We’re trying to make the architecture of the building something nice, something timeless,” Gill said.

Michael McCrystal, chairman of the zoning board, asked Gill if the store is planning a freestanding sign.

Gill replied, yes, but it is in accordance with the zoning ordinance.

The zoning board also asked Gill if Weis has considered putting in a gas station. Gill said no, since the ordinance doesn’t permit it. However, Gill said, the company intends to put in an electric car recharging station.

“We’d like to offer a place for customers to charge their electric vehicles,” Gill said.

The new store will be also the company’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified store.

The zoning board unanimously approved the variance for the signs.