Starbucks patrons will see a shift in the Mahoning Township area coffee shop to its own stand-alone store.

On Tuesday, the Carbon County Planning Commission recommended the relocation project at 1241 Blakeslee Boulevard, Drive East, the Carbon Plaza Mall shopping center, receive preliminary plan approval.

Ivan O. Meixell Jr., county planner, said that the Carbon Plaza Shopping Center, which owns the mall area, is planning to demolish the former PNC Bank site and construct a 3,967-square-foot commercial building with 31 parking spaces and two handicapped accessible spaces.

Within that building, Starbucks would relocate out of the Giant to occupy 2,277 square feet of space, while an additional 1,690-square-foot commercial space would be available.

“They are ripping up everything and starting from scratch,” Meixell said during his review.

He pointed out a few areas of noncompliance in the plans, such as information regarding stormwater and erosion plans need to be received from the township and Carbon County Conservation District.

The planning commission’s review will now be sent to Mahoning Township for inclusion in its review process.

The PNC Bank site has sat empty since the bank closed the branch on June 11, 2021.