Details show a drastic change for a former grocery store in Wells Bank’s pending remodel plans.
After purchasing the old Apple Market location on Branch Street in Platte City last year, the bank plans to drastically update the building’s façade and add decorative changes to the parking lot. The inside of the building will include an open front lobby with a water feature, 16 office spaces and community and conference rooms.
The Platte City Planning and Zoning Commission approved the submitted site plan with a unanimous vote at a Tuesday, July 11 meeting.
“That looks good. It’s a nice looking building,” said John Higgins, Platte City Board of Aldermen member of the planning and zoning commission.
Currently, Wells Bank operates properties on Main Street and at 1098 Branch Street, which sits next to the recently
acquired grocery store building with three drive-thru banking lanes separating the two. Sharp’s Market Inc. operated an Apple Market location at 1100 Branch Street until the announcement of the sale in November of 2016.
Wells Bank, which currently has six branches, plans to have all of its offices centrally located at the 1100 Branch Street property along with walkup bank services. Previously, officials said the current Branch Street location would likely be vacated but will remain open until completion of the renovation and opening of the new headquarters.
The historic Main Street property will be up for sale but will also remain open until the move is completed. Original estimates to complete the renovations were about nine months, and work could be completed by the first of 2018.
Wells Bank has already begun the process of deconstructing the inside with plans to renovate the building into a new office location.
Upgrades to the front parking area an additional parking in the rear of the building are proposed. The area in front of the bank will receive islands with new curb and gutter. In addition, the front of the building will get new ADA parking stalls, access ramps, new sidewalks and island landscaping.
The front exterior of the building will have a half arch entry canopy and new standing metal seam roof. The base of the display marquee sign located at the parking lot entrance off of Branch Street will also receive an update with stone accents to match the building’s new look.
The direction of the drive thru lanes will also be reversed when the new location opens.
“We’re looking for somebody to be in the parking lot directing traffic,” joked Duane Soper, a Wells Bank representative at the planning and zoning meeting.
The first grocery store at 1100 Branch Street opened in 1989, and the property operated under multiple brand names. In 2010, the store underwent a space reduction, allowing the Dollar General store to open next door.