Weavers Way to open a food co-op store in Ambler

Mount Airy-based co-op Weavers Way says it will open its third grocery store - and its first outside of Northwest Philadelphia - in the former Bottom Dollar store at 217 E. Butler Ave. in Ambler.

It's supposed to open in April.

Weavers Way, which began in 1973 as a neighborhood buying club in West Mount Airy, is partnering with Ambler Food Co-op, which lacked a brick-and-mortar store.

Weavers Way expects Ambler members will transfer their memberships. Though membership is not a requirement for shopping at Weavers Way stores, members get discounts and services not available to nonmembers.

The new location, at 10,000 square feet, will be larger than Weavers Way's Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill stores combined. It will employ 45 people.

In a statement, the co-op said the location is easily accessible on foot and by bike. It is part of a dense, walkable commercial strip, close to other businesses, the commuter train station, and the Ambler Theater.

Ambler has lacked a market since Acme closed in 2009 and Bottom Dollar closed in 2014.

Meanwhile, Whole Foods is building a store from the ground up nearby, at Bethlehem and Sumneytown Pikes in Spring House (Lower Gwynedd) for 2017 occupancy.