CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — Plans for a new Sheetz on East Main Street next year call for the demolition of the existing building and replace it with a larger 5,988 square-feet building in 2018.

“While the current store offers our entire menu/food selection, the current layout makes that more difficult,” said Nick Ruffner, Sheetz public relations manager. “The new store’s layout and organization will make it much easier for our staff to handle our extensive menu.”

The new building will still offer the same number of gas pumps; however, it will have 52 parking spaces and a larger footprint, increasing its original size of 3,900 square feet. The new store, similar to the newer Sheetz stores being constructed in other locations, will feature space for restaurant tables, along with outdoor seating.

Another big change for the Clarion location is that it will be selling beer for the fist time. Sheetz purchased an expired liquor license from Madison Township in Clarion County at an auction by the PLCB.

Building a new Sheetz also means closing Clarion operations for about 20 weeks. An exact starting date has not yet been established, but it will likely coincide with the end of Clarion University 2017-18 school year and when students leave for the summer. The bulk of the work should be finished by the fall 2018 semester.

The purchase of additional property behind the existing store allows construction of a larger store.

Ruffner confirmed that due to the age of the facility, Sheetz faced a decision to refresh, remodel, or rebuild and selected a rebuild that will have a new layout and more of a restaurant feel. The new building will have three customer entrances and will have a more intuitive feel between the convenience food area and the dining area.

Based on past experience, an additional 12 to 15 new positions could be created with the new store.