Plans for a new QuickChek have been approved by Raritan Borough, said Lou Gara, the borough's administrative zoning and construction official.
RARITAN -- The Somerville Circle is getting a facelift.
The Gateway Inn, a former Motel 8 that has had several reincarnations over the past decades, will be torn down and replaced by a QuickChek convenience store and gas station under plans approved by the borough planning board, said Lou Gara, the borough's administrative zoning and construction official, on Tuesday.
No date has been set for the start of construction, he said. The Gateway Inn has been closed for several months. The phone number listed on its website is not in service, according to a recording.
Gara said the planning board has also given preliminary site plan approval for the demolition of the former Popeye's and Denny's buildings on the site.
The plan is for a separate approximately 12,000 square foot building apart from the QuickChek to be built that will include several undetermined businesses, he said
"Once the developer knows who the tenants are, he'll go back to the planning board to seek further approval," said Gara, referring to East Ridge Development of Ridgefield, Conn..
QuickChek: from dairy farm to megachain
QuickChek, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, currently has 149 locations through New Jersey, Long Island and the Hudson Valley.
On May 2, QuickChek opened its newest store in Bethpage, New York. In New Jersey, QuickChek has recently opened stores in North Brunswick and Cedar Knolls.
"Continuing to grow, QuickChek looks forward to providing its high quality, great tasting food and beverages close to where its customers live and work," said Russ Mensch, a company spokesman, in a statement.
The proposed QuickChek on the Somerville Circle, which will be the second in the borough, the other is located on West Somerset Street, will cover roughly 5,500 square feet and have eight gas pumps, according to the plans.
There will be two entrances and exits to the property -- one on southbound Route 206 and the other on the ramp from Route 202 to the circle, the plans stated.
Mensch said the company is also exploring opening a location on Route 22 in Readington on County Line Road.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.