BUTLER TWP — The vacant store formerly occupied by a Michaels crafts store in Bon Aire Plaza on Route 8 north of Butler is set to house a grocery store by the end of the year.

The township commissioners on Monday granted approval to Bottom Dollar Food, a subsidiary of Southern grocery giant Food Lion, to open a new store there.

Michaels last year relocated to Butler Crossing off New Castle Road.

Bottom Dollar has almost 20 stores in Pennsylvania and is expanding to the western side of the state.

Township manager Ed Kirkwood said Bottom Dollar Food's land development application has several contingencies attached.

First, the state Department of Transportation must approve removing one of the plaza's entrances, a move Kirkwood said he cannot foresee PennDOT opposing. "It's creating a much safer traffic flow on Route 8 in that area," Kirkwood said.

Second, Bottom Dollar must comply with township engineers for its planned building expansion — the addition of a truck loading dock on the back of the building.

"As of last night, (all compliance issues) were met, but it is an ongoing process," Kirkwood said Tuesday.

Finally, Bottom Dollar needs a positive review from the county planning department and must post a financial security with the township.

The amount of the security deposit, Kirkwood said, has not been determined and will be based on the cost of slated improvements to the property.

He said Bottom Dollar will put a new facade on the building, in addition to refurbishing the interior and putting new asphalt in the parking lot.

The site of the former BP gas station nearby will be paved over, and Bottom Dollar has pledged to plant landscaping not just in front of its own property, but along the entire side of the plaza facing Route 8, Kirkwood said.

He added that in light of the recent economic recession "this is exciting news."

A spokesman for Food Lion did not respond to calls seeking comment, but Kirkwood indicated the company wants to have the store open by the end of the year.