McIntyre Square Changes: Giant Eagle Moving In as Emiliano's Moves Out

Giant Eagle confirms it leasing the building that currently houses Emiliano's Mexican Restaurant in McIntyre Square.

Emiliano's is moving out at the end of the month.

"Giant Eagle will make improvements for enhanced traffic flow and access for team member and customer parking," said spokesman Dick Roberts.

How Giant Eagle will use the building remains up in the air.

"There have not been any decisions made with respect to that location and a future format," Roberts said. "There have not been any decisions made on changes to the Giant Eagle store in McIntyre Center."

In December, McCandless Land Use Administrator Bruce Betty said that Giant Eagle planned to expand its McIntyre Square store  by taking over the space formerly occupied by the Dollar Wave, but so far, that expansion has not occurred.

"They're looking at redesigning a drive through for the pharmacy, on the south side of the building," Betty said at the time. "They want to get a liquor license and they want to move the restaurant toward the front of the building." 

The Pennsylvania Supreme court ruled in 2010 that grocery stores and other chain retailers can buy and use restaurant liquor licenses. Giant Eagle now sells beer at more than 20 stores throughout the region, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported.

To free up more parking, the grocery store chain is also supposed to be adding an employee parking lot.

"We have approved a new parking area for them," said Betty. "As you're coming into McIntyre Square off of Peebles, on the left hand side that will be an employee parking lot."

While the Giant Eagle grocery store is in McCandless, the building currently occupied by Emiliano's sits in Ross Township, according Ross Township's official Zoning map.

What do you think of Giant Eagle's plans for McIntyre Square? What do you think they will do with Emiliano's restaurant? Tell us in the comments box below.

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