Amazon Fresh Store Remains Vacant In Bensalem

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —They're called zombie stores.

These are stores that have been constructed but haven't opened with their futures either unknown or uncertain.

The Amazon Fresh store —like others in Lower Bucks and nearby Montgomery County —was supposed to open in the space where Kmart once ruled on Street Road sometime this year.

But a proposed November opening came and went even though township officials said construction had been completed and the site had shopping cart stalls and other markings of an Amazon Fresh store ready to go.

Then a sign stated "Opening Soon 2023."

Recently, residents driving along Street Road noticed that the signage had been removed from the building at 1837 Street Road.

Meanwhile, one landlord has filed suit alleging that Amazon is breaching its lease agreement.

The Philadelphia Business Journal reported that Federal Realty GP LLC submitted a complaint against Amazon Retail LLC and Amazon.com Inc. in Montgomery County Civil Court on March 21, and Amazon filed its response to the suit this week.

The landlord-tenant dispute involves the delayed opening of the Amazon Fresh that was replacing a Barnes and Noble bookstore in the Willow Grove Shopping Center.

Like similar proposed Amazon Fresh stores, the facade appears finished. Some buildings also feature Amazon Fresh branding. A store was also proposed for 2424 E. Lincoln Highway in Langhorne.

Three days ago, Bensalem resident Rick D'Auguanno shared photos on the FYI Bensalem Facebook page, saying that signs from the Street Road building were recently removed.

"I pass it every day and just noticed," said D'Auguanno, who allowed Patch to post his picture.

In November, a picture of the building on the FYI Bensalem Facebook page showed a sign that read "Opening Soon 2023."

Bob Norkus, executive director of the Bensalem Economic Development Corp., had posted then on its Facebook page that "Amazon now has all new Amazon Fresh stores on permanent HOLD pending evaluation of the operation."

Amazon Fresh spokeswoman Kim Kornfeld has told Patch that Amazon does "not comment on our future roadmap."

On the FYI Bensalem page, residents said they want something to fill the vacant space.

Some hoped for a Trader Joe's or McCaffrey's grocery store. Others suggested Hobby Lobby.

Patch in Bucks County reported last summer that a Warrington Township location off Route 611 was the first Amazon Fresh to open in Pennsylvania.