Coen Markets sale won’t affect Carroll Township project

Township officials said the permitting process is continuing with PennDOT.

A pending sale of Coen Markets isn’t slowing plans for the company’s long-awaited Carroll Township development.

On Tuesday, township officials confirmed the project continues to move through PennDOT’s permitting process despite the recent acquisition announcement.

The status of the proposed convenience store and gas station at the intersection of Routes 88 and 837 was discussed during Tuesday’s supervisors meeting after resident Lori Dudro asked whether Coen’s recently announced buyout could affect the project.

Chairman Ken Hillman said the development remains active and is continuing through the final stages of state review.

Hillman said the developer is addressing the latest comments from PennDOT as part of the Highway Occupancy Permit process, which governs access to state roads and work within state rights-of-way.

According to Hillman, significant preliminary work has already been completed at the Carroll Township location.

“The underground fuel system is installed, and they’re just awaiting the last permit from PennDOT so they can finalize installation of the underground stormwater management system and complete site preparation for the building itself,” he said.

In March, Coen Markets announced it had agreed to be acquired by Cumberland Farms, one of the nation’s largest convenience store operators.

Under the agreement announced March 12, Cumberland Farms will acquire Coen Markets’ 54 operating locations along with three new-to-industry sites currently under development. The transaction is expected to close later this year pending regulatory approvals.

Russ Colaco, chief executive officer of Cumberland Farms, said the acquisition reflects the company’s continued growth strategy in the United States.

“This acquisition is a clear expression of our commitment to disciplined growth in the U.S., our largest market by both sites and revenue,” Colaco said in a statement announcing

the deal. “Charlie and Andy McIlvaine have built an exceptional business defined by well-invested sites and an exceptional customer experience anchored by their foodservice offering. We are excited to welcome the Coen Markets team to Cumberland Farms and to continue building upon the legacy of success.”

Andy McIlvaine, president of Coen Markets, said the company believes the partnership will help support future expansion.

“Coen Markets has expanded successfully with its distinctive food offer, value-creating Club Coen loyalty program and store-level execution in line with our mission to impress and satisfy its guests with every visit and make their lives simpler,” McIlvaine said. “We believe Coen’s business model and offer can expand further, and we want to ensure future growth with a partner that can take the business to yet another high level.”

Charlie McIlvaine, chairman and CEO of Coen Markets, credited employees for helping build the company and expressed confidence in its future under Cumberland Farms.

“Our success is a team effort,” McIlvaine said. “Every one of our senior leaders and team members have embraced our vision and made our convenience offer stand out. This brings us tremendous pride, and we have confidence that Cumberland Farms will continue what we started and further advance our offer for the benefit of our customers.”

Coen Markets, headquartered in Canonsburg, has expanded across Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and Northern West Virginia in recent years, building its brand around made-to-order food offerings and its Club Coen loyalty program.

While company officials have not publicly identified the three development sites included in the acquisition announcement, active projects remain underway in both Carroll and Rostraver townships.

The Carroll Township development has been years in the making.

The project was first introduced in December 2021 when Coen sought to rezone property at the busy intersection from residential to commercial use. Township supervisors approved the rezoning in 2022, allowing the proposal to move forward through the land development process.

The project underwent multiple reviews by township officials, planners and engineers while developers worked through traffic, stormwater, utility and sewage planning requirements.

Construction activity became visible earlier this year when site preparation and underground utility work began on the property across from Fisher Heights Giant Eagle.

Those activities were permitted under local approvals and permits secured through state and county agencies, while PennDOT’s review of the Highway Occupancy Permit continued.

Plans call for a roughly 5,000-square-foot convenience store featuring fresh food offerings, retail merchandise and five fuel pumps.

A similar Coen project remains in development in neighboring Rostraver Township.

In January, Rostraver Township commissioners approved a second extension for a proposed Coen Market at 4315 Route 51, the former site of an Exxon station. Township officials said at the time that the company was awaiting PennDOT approval for stormwater and driveway permits before construction could move forward.

Despite the pending acquisition, officials say both developments continue to advance through the approval process, with the Carroll Township project now awaiting final PennDOT approvals before moving into its next phase.