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<p>WILKES-BARRE TWP. &#8212; Panera Bread will reopen in the Wilkes-Barre Township Commons.</p><p>Who says? No better source than Panera Bread itself.</p><p>A sign posted near the entrance of the Panera Bread store in the Shoppes at Montage says this:</p><p>&#8220;Great News! Our Wilkes-Barre location will be re-opening in the fall of 2019! We wanted to thank you for your understanding and patience during this unusual period. Looking forward to seeing you at our new and improved (location).&#8221;</p><p>Panera was one of several stores forced out when a tornado ripped through the Wilkes-Barre Township Commons and the adjacent Arena Hub Plaza on June 13. Wilkes-Barre Township Commons is owned by Urban Edge Associates, a development company from New Jersey.</p><p>Chris Weilminster of Urban Edge did not return calls seeking comment. A contact at Panera Bread was not available.</p><p>The buildings affected by the tornado have been condemned and will be demolished. A new plan to construct a similar structure has been submitted to the Wilkes-Barre Township Planning and Zoning Commission. Thomas Zedolik, township zoning and code enforcement officer, said the land development plan submitted by Urban Edge has received preliminary approval.</p><p>The buildings owned by Urban Edge that will be taken down housed Panera Bread, Tovon &amp; Co., America&#8217;s Best Contacts &amp; Eyeglasses, LA Nails, Sneaker King, GameStop and Famous Footwear. A new, 11,600 square-foot complex will be built. That is slightly smaller than the old buildings where Panera and the other businesses stood.</p><p>Panera Bread is expected to locate on the same site, but in a slightly different location. A new, free-standing building will be built on the site, according to a plan submitted by Urban Edge that is on file in the Wilkes-Barre Township Zoning Office.</p><p>Robert Minutoli, the now-retired executive vice president and chief financial officer at Urban Edge, confirmed the plan in December, but he said Panera Bread had not yet committed to locating at the site. Zedolik said he has not been told if Urban Edge has gotten a signed agreement with Panera, but the sign in the Montage store indicates the plan is proceeding.</p><p>Minutoli also said that Urban Edge had not gotten any signed agreements with any other potential tenants for the new building yet to be built.</p><p>Minutoli had said the plan calls for a single free-standing building for a restaurant with a drive-thru that would be suitable for Panera Bread.</p><p>In December, Zedolik said the free-standing building will be built as a restaurant and will contain 4,941 square feet. Zedolik pointed out that on the plans, that the single building is labeled &#8220;Panera Bread.&#8221;</p><p>Other buildings in the Commons are Smokey Bones, Petco, The Dress Barn, Marshall&#8217;s, Bob&#8217;s Discount Furniture, Catherine&#8217;s and Target. They were largely spared damage and reopened days after the tornado.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_PA-Gov-tornado-tour-5CMYK-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">These buildings were severely damaged by the June 13 tornado and will be demolished. The property owner/developer, Urban Edge Associated of New Jersey, plan to rebuild on the site, including a separate building that will house Panera Bread. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_PA-Gov-tornado-tour-5CMYK-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>These buildings were severely damaged by the June 13 tornado and will be demolished. The property owner/developer, Urban Edge Associated of New Jersey, plan to rebuild on the site, including a separate building that will house Panera Bread. </caption0><photoCredit0>Tony Callaio | Times Leader File Photo </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Panera-Bread-sign-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">This sign is posted near the entrance of the Panera Bread store in the Shoppes at Montage. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Panera-Bread-sign-1.jpg</photo1><caption1>This sign is posted near the entrance of the Panera Bread store in the Shoppes at Montage. </caption1><photoCredit1>Roger DuPuis | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Panera Bread: Wilkes-Barre Twp. store to re-open in fall