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SUNBURY, PA-Locally based Weis Markets Inc. plans to invest $90.6 million in expansion this year during its first-quarter meeting with shareholders. "During a time of intense competition and change in our industry, we continued to grow," Robert Weis says.

The plan calls for six superstores, including four replacement units, 15 additions and 17 remodels. This follows an investment of more than $50 million in expansion during 2005. All of the units will reflect the company's new store design, which was introduced in 2004.

One of the replacement stores is a 61,000-sf market in Mifflintown. It replaces a former 30,000-sf Weis unit at 5421 William Penn Highway and includes a pharmacy and eight-pump gas station. Sections for meat, seafood, organic produce and prepared take-out have been expanded and there is also a pizza kitchen and sit-down café.

A new 61,000-sf superstore opened in late March at Potomac Marketplace in Ranson, WV. "We expect to set the standard for food stores in the Ranson-Charles Town area, which is a growing market," says Jonathan Weis, vice chairman, in a statement. Like the Mifflintown unit, this also includes a pharmacy, pizza kitchen with 20-seat café and expanded deli, organic produce and prepared food sections. This is the company's second store in the state.

The additional superstore locations are not disclosed in the company's SEC filing, and a call to Weis was not returned by deadline. Weis currently operates 158 supermarkets in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia. The company also owns SuperPetz, a pet supply superstore with 31 locations in 10 states.

Instant Insights /

Weis Markets' $91M Plan Calls for Six New Superstores

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