Sheetz is closer to being able to sell liquor at its planned store in Lantz Corners, slated to open later this year.

The corporation had been the top bidder on a $76,100 expired restaurant liquor license from Keating Township. Bidding opened April 27, and the minimum bid for each license had been $25,000.

“The highest responsive bidder for each license will win the right to submit an application for the license to the (Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board) within six months of auction award,” PLCB officials said.

Bids are being held in escrow by the PLCB, pending approval of the license application.

The store, projected to open in late September, is expected to be 5,490 square feet with the ability to fuel 10 cars at one time. Also, the site will be able to accommodate eight diesel trucks at the same time.

Sheetz spokesman Nick Ruffner said that area of McKean County has been one of interest for a while, and company officials are eager to get into the Kane and Mount Jewett communities, along with travelers on Routes 219 and 6.

The store will also have indoor and outdoor seating, and beer sales are in the plans, he said.

“Each new store employs approximately 30 to 35 people,” Ruffner said.

The convenience store will be in direct competition with the Nittany MinitMart, which has been open for several years at the intersection of U.S. routes 6 and 219.

This won’t be the only location Sheetz with liquor. Sheetz on the corner of East Main Street and Bolivar Drive in Foster Brook carries beer, malt beverages and bottles of wine. The 6,500-square-foot store, which opened in November of 2016, has a full-service drive-through, inside and outside seating and several fueling stations with regular and premium gasoline and diesel.

In 2007, Sheetz began selling beer permanently in Altoona.

The convenience store also has locations across the region in Emporium, St. Marys, Ridgway, Port Allegany, Coudersport and Warren.