CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — The new Clarion Sheetz on East Main Street will hold its official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, July 25, at 2:00 p.m. The store will be opening on the following day, according to Katie Thomas, manager of the Clarion Sheetz.

“The actual opening isn’t until 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 26,” said Thomas. “We chose to have the ribbon-cutting with Clarion Borough Council on the 25th at 2:00 p.m. as to not interfere with customer traffic and so myself and employees can be available to all our customers at the opening.”

Closed since March 10 to expand the property and rebuild the gas pumping area and add a new building, many in the area look with anticipation for the new store.

A company representative said the closing date was bumped up to get work done in time for the 2018 Autumn Leaf Festival.

The new 4,772 square foot Sheetz store building is the same approximate location as the original building and was rotated 90 degrees clockwise. The new building is opening ahead of schedule.

A total of 44 parking spaces were added, and the expansion included additional property purchased by Sheetz behind the current store.

In an earlier interview, Nick Ruffner, Sheetz Public Relations Manager said that “while the current store offers our entire menu/food selection, the current layout makes that more difficult.”

“The new store’s layout and organization will make it much easier for our staff to handle our extensive menu.”

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