Heritage Fresh Foods, which has located in a 20,000-square-foot space on the southern side of the building on South Poplar Street, had a “soft” opening; its grand opening will be held later.
During the day, inspectors from the city showed up at the Market Fair and posted a “stop work” notice on the front of the building.
But the supermarket — the only part of the Market Fair that is up and running — remained open, and will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Robert Dougherty, public works director for the city, said a misunderstanding between the city and Roger Soler, the owner and developer of the marketplace, is being worked out.
“There was a misunderstanding over the city’s certificate of occupancy,” Dougherty said. “We are working with Mr. Soler and will have the matter worked out in a few days. He already has his state certificate of occupancy permit.”
Soler confirmed the state Department of Labor and Industry granted the facility its permit Tuesday after two inspections.
“Under the state code, we have a non-separated use,” Soler said. “That means as long as we don’t build a wall that separates, we can still operate under the (five-year) permit we got in 2003. It’s a difference of the opinion of experts.”
Soler said the walls that separate the small shops in the facility are only 8 feet high and don’t go from ceiling to floor.
“The city told us what we need to do, and we are doing that.”
Soler said the city had inspected the market and approved its opening.
He said the sprinkler system installed in the 60-year-old-plus facility exceeds building code requirements.
“We have the safest building in the City of Hazleton,” he said. “We have an alarm system that is second to none.”
Soler said the first three stores in the Market Fair – a pet store, dollar store and gift store – are expected to open within the next 10 days.
In addition, six restaurants will open in the revamped food court at the rear of the structure, including a Mexican/Cuban restaurant, a pizza parlor, Chinese and Japanese restaurants, an American restaurant and coffee shop.
The Pocono Market Fair first opened its doors Oct. 8, 2004, but closed Sept. 15, 2006, to reorganize.