Starbucks sets its sights on Shippensburg Township

Shippensburg residents will soon have another place to get a cup of Joe. 

Local officials recently approved a land development plan for Starbucks during a meeting last month, which would allow the company to build a new store in the Shippensburg Shopping Center on Walnut Bottom Road, according to Steve Oldt, a township supervisor. 

Founded in 1971, Starbucks originally started out as small business offering a variety of coffees to consumers in Seattle, its website said. Over the past four decades, it is has grown into a corporation which now has stores in 70 countries and also sells premium teas, pastries and other treats.

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The coffee shop will sit in the parking lot of the center located about a half a mile away from Interstate 81. It will also join several other chains, including the Tractor Supply Company, Aldi's, Planet Fitness, Great Clips and Little Caesars. 

Throughout the next few months, Oldt said, the company will begin its next steps in the project, such as going through building code inspections, hiring contractors and getting permits. Although he could not give a date as to when construction is expected to start, the supervisor added it could have something finished in as early as four to six months. 

Starbucks did not return a request for comment in time for publication. 

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Bringing a Starbucks to the area wasn't originally on the township's radar, Oldt said, but a discussion about the possibility began toward the end of last year and then moved pretty quickly. He said officials were shocked and surprised when they heard the news. 

"We just did not suspect that of all things that could happen or could come in, we didn't think it would be a Starbucks, but hey, we'll be happy to take them," he continued.

For more information on Starbucks, visit its website at starbucks.com.