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Supervisors and developer talk future plans for Wrightstown Country Store

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A developer that wants to re-open the Wrightstown Country Store, with changes and additions as part of the project, appeared before the township board of supervisors recently to discuss plans for the site.

Entrepreneur Eric Kretschman, who now owns the currently shuttered but once much-loved local institution, told Wrightstown supervisors at a public work session meeting on Sept. 26 that he wanted to undertake land development at the site in two phases.

The first phase would involve the conversion of the existing country store/generator sales unit into a single general store. A new kitchen would replace the existing apartment to the rear of the building. Kretschman also was interested in moving forward with the conversion of a residential cottage to the right of the store into a flower/gift shop.

Other envisioned improvements, including a potential greenhouse, would be part of a second phase of work.

Still, supervisors were concerned that the proposed 900-square-foot flower shop would put a strain on parking in the front of the property. They told Kretschman as much.

“After discussion, the board opined that use of the main building for the new country store would probably generate the same level of traffic seen in its previous use but that he would not be able to open the flower shop use at this time,” said Wrightstown Supervisor Chairman Chester Pogonowski.

Now, Kretschman must prepare land development plans detailing the scaled down phase one. Supervisors will review those and determine whether or not to grant approval for the project to proceed. Without supervisors’ approval, none of the improvements may occur.

Bobbie Pringle and her husband, Tom, owned the Wrightstown Country Store for 34 years. In their latter 70s and with health issues a concern, the couple closed the operation in January 2020 and put it and the site it sits on up for sale.

The store was in operation since the 1970s. It’s located at 557 Durham Road (Route 413) in Wrightstown – at the intersection with Penns Park Road. The location is along one of the primary north-south connector roads in Bucks County. Known for its delicious sandwiches and quality affordable coffee, the store was popular with locals and commuters alike.


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