BY JIM LOCKWOOD

Closed five years ago, the former Quaker Steak & Lube in Dickson City is under demolition to make way for a Chick-fil-A.

The borough last year approved the Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A chain’s plan for construction of a 5,015-square-foot restaurant on Commerce Boulevard, in the spot of the former Quaker Steak & Lube.

Recent razing reduced the restaurant to rubble.

Borough council Vice President Robert Hall, who also serves on the borough planning commission, said construction of a Chick-fil-A now should follow the demolition.

“Their goal is to be built and open this year,” Hall said.

Efforts to contact Chick-fil-A were unsuccessful.

A new restaurant would boost an area marked by some vacancies.

The Quaker Steak & Lube, which opened in October 2008 and closed in June 2015, became flanked by shuttered restaurants. On the hill above, the Tilted Kilt closed in 2018, and below, Uno Pizzeria and Grill, which closed in October.

CHRISTOPHER DOLAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A crew from Empire Building Diagnostics Inc. demolishes the former Quaker Steak and Lube restaurant in Dickson City on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. Chick-fil-A received zoning approval last year to tear it down and build a new restaurant in its place.

 

Chick-fil-A’s entry into Northeast Pennsylvania started with small restaurants on some local college campuses.

Last year, a Chick-fil-A opened in Wilkes-Barre Twp., at a site that previously was Lucky’s Sporthouse, on Highland Park Boulevard.

In Dickson City, the design for a Chick-fil-A calls for flipping the orientation of the prior building there. Rather than facing Commerce Boulevard or East Commerce Boulevard, a new restaurant will face east, overlooking the nearby Kohl’s, with the back of the building facing Commerce Boulevard. The Chick-fil-A’s drive-through lane will run parallel to Commerce Boulevard on the west side of the building.

“We’re very excited to bring it to our community,” Hall said of Chick-fil-A coming to Dickson City. “It’s good for our residents, it’s good for our taxpayers and it’s good for our community.”

Contact the writer: jlockwood@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5185