New Retail, Restaurant Uses Proposed At Barn Cinema Site In Doylestown

DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — More big changes are in the works for the Barn Plaza on Route 611 in Doylestown Township.

Brixmor Property Group, which owns and manages the shopping center, will be seeking zoning relief later this month from Doylestown Township to redevelop the former Barn cinema and Applebee’s restaurant sites and replace them with four new retail stores, one medical use, and six new restaurants.

The financially struggling Regal Cinema chain closed the Route 611 movie house earlier this year leaving the 48,000-square-foot space without a tenant.

The former Regal movie theatre at the Barn Plaza. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

According to the application, three new buildings would be constructed at the movie theatre site including 7,600 square feet of medical office space, 24,000 square feet of retail space, and 9,000 square feet of restaurant space.

The plan also proposes replacing the former Applebee's with two restaurants and one retail store.

The Doylestown Township Zoning Hearing Board is scheduled to hear the appeal at its Dec. 17 meeting.

Brixmor will be seeking zoning relief for nonconforming setbacks; paving and parking setbacks; residential buffer; impervious coverage; drive-in stacking lane; parking space width; and pylon signage.

Brixmor argues that "the proposed redevelopment is consistent with the existing shopping center use, the surrounding commercial area and will not alter the character of the existing neighborhood. The requested relief is dimensional and will not cause any adverse impact to the public health and safety or the surrounding area."

Major construction is already underway at the shopping center on a new Barnes and Noble bookstore and a Whole Foods grocery store, both opening in 2024.

The new retailers will replace Marshall’s and Home Goods which relocated to the Cross Keys Place Shopping Center in Plumstead Township earlier this year. The center is also home to a Kohl’s Department, Gerhard’s Appliances, Douglas Jewelers, Piccolo Trattoria and Pure Barre, Mattress Firm and Club Pilates.

The former Regal Cinema at the Barn Plaza in Doylestown Township. (Photo by Jeff Werner)