UPDATE: Vacant Former Pathmark Site To Become Scaled Back Lowe's

Update 12:00 p.m. Thursday: The Lowe's Company in a release minutes ago officially annouced the opening date of the "Lowe's Express'' store in the former Pathmark grocery store building.

The 50,000-square-foot store is expected to open in June 2013. It will create about 60 jobs, according to the release.

"Lowe’s Express will carry product categories ranging from appliances and tools to paint and flooring, in the world’s leading brands such as Valspar paint, Stainmaster carpeting, Dewalt tools and Whirlpool appliances. Product selection will be tailored to meet the home improvement needs of the Wall community," the release says.

Previously reported:

It’s a Lowe’s. 

Or at least that’s what it’s going to be, if you were wondering what the construction at the old Pathmark grocery store is all about.

The store, which has been vacant for years following the closure of the anchor store of the Allaire and Route 35 shopping center, is on its way to becoming a blue hardware home center. 

But it won’t be a typical Lowe’s. It’ can’t be, according to the recently passed ordinance that made way for the current construction.

It’ll be much smaller than a typical Lowe’s store, and it won’t have all the contractor traffic. It’ll be geared more toward home improvements, according to township officials.

“We’re very happy that they’re in there,’’ Committeeman George Newberry said. “The Lowe’s people are working very hard to present something that will be positive for Wall Township.’’

The committee in January introduced an ordinance letting home centers into the Route 35 corridor. The ordinance was reviewed by the Planning Board, recommended and later adopted by the Township Committee by unanimous vote.

It changed the zoning designations for two Highway Business Zones – HB-80 and HB-200 – allowing a ‘home center’ use with a maximum floor area of 55,000 square feet. The majority of the Route 35 corridor falls in one of those two zones, making the map change significant.