Weavers Way leaves West Oak Lane

Weavers Way will close its West Oak Lane store tonight at 7 p.m.

In its place, the Ogontz Avenue Revitalization Corporation (OARC) plans to open its own store under the name The West Oak Lane Community Market.

While the ownership of the store officially transfers at midnight, the transition to OARC’s new store won’t happen overnight.

OARC’s President Jack Kitchen says the it’ll take a few weeks to renovate the site before the new market opens.

In order to maintain a smooth transition, OARC plans to collect input from the community so residents can take part in choosing what kinds of products they would like to see offered at the West Oak Lane Community Market. OARC also plans to host educational programs through community activities at the store.

As for the Weavers Way staff in WOL, Jon McGoran, the Co-op’s communications director, says none of its WOL employees will be laid off. “Employees will be transferred to the Mt. Airy or Chestnut Hill store,” he said. The inventory, he added, will be split up with some going to Weavers Way’s other stores or will be given to OARC.

McGoran says some of the West Oak Lane customers were disappointed to see Weavers Way leaving, but that OARC’s promise to operate its own store with nutritious foods means the store is really not closing. “We are very happy we found a way to keep the store open with OARC”.