In a public hearing April 19, council members heard plans for a new grocery store, called “Ideal Food Basket Grocery Store,” that will occupy the building at Montclair Avenue and Broadway, to attain a liquor license.

The same company currently operates the CTown Supermarket on South Third Street, which also has a liquor license. The business replaces the former Ahart’s Market, that shut down last year, reportedly due to losses sustained because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 24,535-square-foot building was sold for $2.3 million to, at the time, an undisclosed buyer.

There will be “no expansion of the footprint of the market,” said David Berger, the attorney representing the market. “It will stay the same.”

However, the interior will be reconfigured to accommodate the sale of alcohol.

The location is around the corner from New Bethany Ministries and across the street from a Wendy’s fast-food restaurant.

It will continue to provide fresh fruit and vegetables in what has been described as a food desert by officials.

Beer will be sold in a 30-seat capacity restricted area that will be in the remodeled store. Plans to sell wine are contingent on getting a modification of the liquor license.

The amount of alcohol that can be sold at any one purchase is limited to a 12-pack of beer or three magnums of wine, according to Berger.

A magnum is defined by some sources as having 1.5 liters or 50 ounces; however, other sources indicate that state law restricts wine sale in grocery stores to three liters. This apparent contradiction was not cleared up before this story was filed.

The store managers plan to discourage the drinking of more than one beer in the designated seating area set aside for eating in.

“The demand for liquor licenses in Northampton County has skyrocketed ever since COVID started and ended,” said Berger.

The store will operate seven days a week. Monday through Saturday hours will be from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday hours will be from 8 a.m. to 9 p. m., however liquor sales will be shut down Sundays from 8 a m. to 9 a.m.

A specially trained cashier will sell the alcohol, while over 52 security cameras will monitor the interior of the store and eight cameras will monitor the outside.

“There’s not a single square foot not covered by security cameras,” said Berger.

“Is there going to be anything that’s not going to be offered because of the amount of space that’s going to be dedicated to alcohol [sales],” asked Council member Rachel Len. “Like vegetables or fruits?”

“No,” said Berger. “You’re still going to have the entire grocery store. We’re just devoting a small section to seating. Most of the store will be a grocery store. Only a very small section will be [used] for alcohol sales.”

In other business, AllentownMayor Matthew Tuerk visited and urged regional cooperation. “I ask that the Bethlehem City Council continue to support an administration that understands the value of region cooperation,” said Tuerk.

“There are a lot of issues we face in Allentown that are in common with the issues that you face here in the City of Bethlehem.”

He mentioned economic development as an example of possible regional cooperation.