<p dir=”ltr”>The area near the intersection of Two Rod and Bullis roads will be the center for many changes over the next year.
<p dir=”ltr”><span>Within the next few months, construction will be happening at the Marilla Town Hall, at the Marilla Community Center and the Marilla Country Store will be expanding.</span>
<p dir=”ltr”><span>Construction has already begun at the Marilla Town Hall for the new elevator, which will be in place in the front of the building facing Two Rod Road. Plans for this project began over a year ago, and in January the town was awarded a $91,000 grant that covers a portion of the costs. Walter S. Johnson Bldg. Company is constructing the elevator at nearly $140,000, and Kolt Access & Lift is installing the lift for the elevator for nearly $30,000.</span>
<p dir=”ltr”><span>For the first time in approximately 15 years, the Marilla Country Store will be expanding. Business owner Sandy Gingerich Grunzweig said that the store will begin renovating the space that the Marilla Post Office has been leasing shortly after it moves out in order to carry more products.</span>
<p dir=”ltr”><span>“Our business has grown, and we have really become a destination. We would like to expand and create more room,” she said.</span>
<p dir=”ltr”><span>Grunzweig bought the store from her parents in 2000 with her husband Paul. Since then they have started to offer bulk foods, candy, homemade chocolate and furniture. The expansion will allow the inventory to continue to grow, and she said they are looking to carry more Amish furniture and additional seasonal items and home decor.</span>
<p dir=”ltr”><span>The last time the store expanded was when they opened the “loft” space within the store to offer the furniture line.</span>
<p dir=”ltr”><span>In order to make room for the post office at the community center, the Marilla Historical Society has temporarily closed its displays and moved out of the location. Temperature sensitive items are being stored in a small area of the former area, and the rest of the items are being stored at various, undisclosed locations. Plans are being created for the historical society to relocate to West Avenue, next to the other two buildings by the town hall. Supervisor Earl Gingerich, Jr. hopes to receive grant money to cover the cost of that plan.</span>
<p dir=”ltr”><span>Although the space is ready for the post office at the community center, construction has not started yet. The town is responsible to build one wall within the center and the post office will be responsible for the remainder of the renovations. Plans for the post office are still being finalized.</span>
<p dir=”ltr”><span>Highway Superintendent Ronald Unverdorben, Jr. said at a recent work session that the wall will be built when plans are complete. They were recently sent back to the post office with corrections.</span>
<p dir=”ltr”><span>Officials from the post office have stated that they would like the new location ready before the 2018 holiday season.</span>
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