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Chester County Press

Landhope Farms announces new store to be built on Route 10 in Oxford

06/18/2018 10:44AM ● By J. Chambless

Representatives of the Landhope team were at the site of the new store on the morning of June 18. From left: Ron Sikora, Iam Kramer, Joe Schorn, Charlie Delp, Ron Kepler, Michael Bucklin, Howard Lebold, Dennis McCartney, Bo Alexander, Becky Yakscoe and Jim Fritsch. (Photo by John Chambless)

Landhope Farms has announced that, after three years of planning, they are placing a new convenience store at the corner of Route 10 and Conner Road and returning to the Oxford community.

Dixon Stroud, owner and president of Landhope Corporation, said, “It was a solid business decision to sell some of our assets back in 1999 when we left the Oxford community. However, we also realized that as we prepared for our new expansion, Oxford was going to be the first community we re-entered. The people of Oxford were very loyal to us and we have no doubt they will love how the company has evolved when we open our doors. We’ve partnered with Schorn Construction to build our new site. Joe Schorn has a history with Landhope Farms as he is also the contractor who built our Port Deposit, Md., store in 2001.”

The new location will have high-speed diesel dispensers towards the rear of the building that will serve large trucks on Route 10, with easy access to Route 1. The 6,000-square-foot store will showcase a coffee and specialty beverage area, hand-dipped ice cream and a deli, in addition to convenience items like soda, candy and chips.

“The people of Oxford know Landhope Farms, and that we stand for freshness and quality,” according to Dennis McCartney, director of operations, and a resident of Oxford. “We are different than many others. We still slice our own meats and cheeses right in the store, and only offer fresh vegetables for our signature hoagies. We’ve expanded our food service lineup to include quarter-pound Angus burgers and French fries. However, everyone wants to know if we’re bringing back chili and chicken pot pie. The answer is yes. Our new Landhope Farms Soup Bar will be a popular part of our new store, we have no doubt.”

Over the past three years, Landhope Farms has been working with the township. Stroud added, “The process of opening a convenience store has become considerably more complicated since 1969, when the township handed me the occupancy permit two weeks after we opened. Things have certainly changed.”

Michael Bucklin, the vice president of Landhope Corporation, said, “We knew that with the Landhope Farms brand having been strong in the Oxford market, it will draw a lot of people to that corner on Route 10. We’ve worked with state and local officials to ensure the roadwork on Route 10 and Conner Road will result in a safer intersection with a traffic light, as well as a right-hand turning lane on Conner Road. We want to make sure the residents of Lower Oxford Township and the surrounding community know we have their concerns at heart.”

Behind the scenes for the past three years, Landhope Farms has been weaving into the Oxford community through financial support, as well as product donations to many local charities. “If we can help, we will,” McCartney said. “Whether it is donating to the Oxford Women’s Club, preparing hoagies for the OAHS football team or helping stock the OAHS basketball team’s concession stand, we love to support our local communities in any way we can. We are also very excited about being the presenting sponsor of the Connective Festival in Oxford on Aug. 4 as well, and hope the community comes out and enjoys the day.”

Landhope Farms plans to employ between 20 and 30 part-time and full-time employees at the new Oxford location.