A big grocery store chain, Price Chopper, announced it will close three of its stores all on the same day next month.
This includes the Price Chopper in Clay, New York, and two other locations, all set to shut down on April 19.
Decision to Close: Price Chopper's Careful Consideration
"After a detailed review of the store's performance and future prospects, we've decided that shutting it down is the right move," said Blaine Bringhurst, president of Price Chopper/Market 32.
He expressed gratitude for the longstanding support from the community, acknowledging the contributions of employees and customers throughout the years.
All 103 staff members at the store, including 24 full-time and 79 part-time workers, have been given job opportunities at other locations in the Central New York region.
Despite the closure, the store's 103 workers won't be left jobless. They're being moved to other Price Chopper locations in Central New York, ensuring their employment continues.
"Closing a store is always a tough choice, one we seldom make, but we must make decisions that help our company grow and stay strong," Bringhurst explained.
In Onondaga County, Price Chopper has stores on Erie Boulevard East and Onondaga Boulevard in Syracuse, as well as in Cicero.
Closing a store is a hard decision that Price Chopper doesn't take lightly. "We rarely close a store, but we must make choices that keep our company healthy and allow it to grow," said Blaine Bringhurst in a press statement.
Meanwhile, Price Chopper is set to shut down its stores in Taylor, Pennsylvania, and another near Scranton.
The company has assured that the 85 employees from these stores will be relocated to different locations in the Scranton and Wilkes Barre area.
Also Read: Shoppers Call for Nationwide Boycott Against Walmart Over 'Skyrocketing' Grocery Prices
Price Chopper and Tops: A Growing Partnership
Price Chopper also manages a Tops supermarket close by on Route 31. The two brands combined forces in 2021, and since then, Tops has renovated its store in Clay.
Headquartered in Schenectady, New York, Price Chopper/Market 32 runs a network of Price Choppers and Market 32 grocery stores across six states: New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, employing 18,000 individuals.
The Golub family started the company in 1932, building a significant presence in the grocery industry.
The deal marks a significant union between two prominent independent grocery chains, effectively doubling their combined presence in the Northeast.
This expansion to nearly 300 stores across the region allows the merged entities to offer better value to shoppers, explore new opportunities for innovation, and strengthen their workforce, community ties, and trade relationships, making them more robust and competitive.
The CEO expressed gratitude for the Federal Trade Commission's thorough examination of the merger and the approval it received.
"With all the necessary green lights, we're now focusing on integrating these two well-established grocery chains. Our goal is to combine the best of both, uncover new efficiencies, and enhance our services to provide unique shopping experiences," Grimmett stated.
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