Old Tastykake Factory Gives Way to Development

Families living near the Hunting Park neighborhood will no longer have to travel to get their goods.

The old Tastykake headquarters on West Hunting Park Avenue and Fox Street is being turned into a 220,000-square foot shopping center dubbed Bakers Square, anchored by a 71,000-square foot Shoprite grocery store.

Mayor Michael Nutter addressed an excited crowd Friday morning at the Bakers Square Groundbreaking Event, where many attendees seemed hopeful.

Until now, residents were forced to buy their groceries at convenience stores, paying high prices for items such as bread and milk. A neighborhood Shoprite would mean saving money on gas as well as the food itself.

The shopping center also brings a promising surge in jobs. Hundreds of workers are needed to complete the construction while the mega Shoprite will bring up to 700 jobs alone, according to officials.

More potential work should come from the remaining 164,000-square feet that will be open for small business and retailers.

Bakers Square will also feature a bank, health clinic and Philadelphia Social Service office. There is no word yet on what other stores will fill the remaining space. For leasing info contact US Realty at 215-557-9900.

The project is expected to last until 2012.

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