Old JC Phila. Sales Store Site to Be Used for Apartment Complex

A developer is preparing to build a 72-unit apartment building on the Johnson City property once occupied by the popular Philadelphia Sales discount store.

Regan Development Corporation of Westchester County has plans to construct the mixed-use project at 333 Grand Avenue. The four-acre site is adjacent to railroad tracks and is located east of Route 201.

The village had acquired the property from United Health Services in June 2020 for $200,000. It was to have been used as a new site for Johnson City's public works department but that plan was dropped.

Now, developer Larry Regan hopes to build a four-story complex on the site. In addition to apartments, the proposed building would include 6,200 square feet of retail space.

Mayor Martin Meaney said the project is moving forward. He said some preliminary site work has been conducted. Financing still must be finalized.

Regan oversaw the $29 million redevelopment of two abandoned Endicott Johnson buildings a few years ago. More than 100 apartments were constructed in the old Century and Sunrise structures.

The Grand Avenue property where the new project is to be built was home to the iconic Philadelphia Sales store starting in 1959. The retailer operated at the site for nearly four decades.

As "Phillies," the place was noted for its catch-phrase "We bought out!" and for merchandise billed as "slightly irregular." It also was famous for the special popcorn aroma that wafted throughout the store.

A sports complex used the old building for a few years before it was torn down.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.