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New Businesses Coming to Blackman Street

WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP — There’s some new life at an old business in Luzerne County. Construction crews are working on redeveloping the former Wickes...
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WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP -- There's some new life at an old business in Luzerne County.

Construction crews are working on redeveloping the former Wickes Lumber Yard that's been vacant for years.

After about eight years of sitting vacant on Blackman Street, the old lumber yard is being renovated into a 7,200-square-feet mini-strip mall that will house up to three new stores.

"Anything that could promote jobs and create more opportunities for people to shop, it's a great thing for the area," said Brian Kaminski of Wilkes-Barre Township. "And just getting rid of old eye sores is a good thing, too."

People who live in the area say they're excited to see new life at the old property and hope more businesses invest in the area. About 12,000 cars drive this stretch of Blackman Street every day.

"Hopefully it will, because there's really nothing really left on Blackman Street in businesses--a couple little hoagie shops and stores, that's about it," said Randy Wolfe of Wilkes-Barre Township.

Austin Baker is the project manager and also grew up in Wilkes-Barre Township. He said he's proud to be a part of this redevelopment.

"It's nice to see the area thrive again to be honest with you. It's really nice to see more business being built from the ground up and everyone really starting to build around the community again," Baker said.

Baker says crews are renovating this building in to a new Dollar General. The new store will employ 20 to 30 people.

In the meantime it's keeping local construction workers and contractors employed.

"It keeps our guys working and gives more work to the local contractors and subcontractors in the area that we've been working hand in hand with for years."

The two other storefronts being built have not been leased yet, but Baker said they should be soon.

Construction on this project should be completed by November, and the Dollar General should open sometime in December.

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