In June, the owners of Brok-Sel Market on Route 61 in Pottsville said the business would be demolished next year by the state as part of a bridge replacement project.
But Wednesday, a contracting firm was working on the building at 402 S. Claude A. Lord Blvd., reshaping it to fit into the state's plans.
"The state and the owners of the Brok-Sel Market worked together to reach an amicable solution that allows the market to remain open and the state to acquire the necessary right-of-way to construct the Route 61 Mady's bridges," Ronald J. Young Jr., district press officer for PennDOT's District 5, Allentown, said Wednesday.
"Basically, the market will remove a portion of their building, approximately 20 feet on the end near the river. The market will stay open and operate as a smaller facility. The owners are to have the portion of the building removed by the end of 2012 and the state will compensate them for the area acquired," Young said.
Carpenters from K&B Home Improvement Inc., Schuylkill Haven, were working on the south end of the building at noon Wednesday.
"It's an answered prayer," said Ed Kopach, Pottsville, who has been working full time at the store for more than 25 years.
"I'm happy about it. I come here for lunch about three times a week. It's just convenient," said Candy Kramer, who works at Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street as an administrative assistant for the behavioral health department.
Mayor John D.W. Reiley, contacted at his City Hall office Wednesday, said he was glad, too.
"That's the only convenience store like that on that side of town," Reiley said.
The state will finance part of the renovation project, Young said.
"The state is paying the owners fair market value for the portion of property acquired," Young said but he did not disclose the amount.
"If the owners wish to disclose the amount they may tell you, otherwise, file a Right to Know Law request to the state," Young said.
The Republican-Herald faxed a Right to Know request to Young on Wednesday afternoon.
David Seltzer owns the business with his brothers, Harold, Pottsville, and Richard, Bel Air, Fla., and their sister, Diane Bailey, Friedensburg.
David Seltzer did not return calls for comment Wednesday and Harold could not be reached for comment. Kopach said Harold Seltzer did not want to speak to the press on the matter.
The Seltzer family owns three Brok-Sel stores. The first opened 48 years ago at 16th and West Market streets in Pottsville. The second opened 42 years ago at 2 E. Main and St. John streets in Schuylkill Haven. The third, located at 402 S. Claude A. Lord Blvd. in Pottsville, opened in September 1977.
In an effort to find more details on the project, city Code Enforcement Officer Donald J. Chescavage looked through his files at City Hall on Wednesday to find the building permit but he didn't find one. He immediately got on the phone with Harold Seltzer to find out why.
"There was a bit of miscommunication," Chescavage said.
The Seltzers were under the impression the contractor was going to acquire the permit and the contractor thought the Seltzers were, Chescavage said.
Chescavage said he won't file a citation but expects the permit will be filed in his office later this week.