Deals are in the works for two new tenants — Dunkin’ and First National Bank — in the Burrell Plaza along Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell.
The mostly empty strip mall that once was home to Montgomery Ward, J.C. Penney and other stores has not seen much action since 2017 when U-Haul moved in.
“It’s exciting to see a new, established business like Dunkin’ choosing Lower Burrell,” said Lower Burrell Councilman Chris Fabry. “I’m optimistic that this is the start of a change in Lower Burrell when it comes to our storefronts.”
While First National Bank is a returning tenant with a smaller footprint in the plaza, the drive-up ATM will still provide “residents quick and easy access to cash funds, which you cannot do via mobile banking,” he said.
First National Bank, which closed its Lower Burrell branch last year, is relocating its ATM from its old building in the plaza to the plaza’s parking lot and will add a drive-thru, city officials said.
The city’s Zoning Hearing Board on Monday night approved the drive-thru for the bank’s ATM.
Late last year, Heartland Restaurant Group submitted plans to turn the plaza’s old First National Bank building into a Dunkin’ shop. The city’s Planning Commission approved that plan.
Representatives from Heartland did not return calls for comment.
Fabry and Councilman Dave Stoltz are working on plans to bring more businesses to the city.
“This new council is committed to attracting new businesses to Lower Burrell,” Fabry said. “This is our top priority moving forward.”
