Tops Markets, Price Chopper/Market 32 Merger Completed

WILLIAMSVILLE, NY (Erie News Now) – The merger between Tops Markets and Price Chopper/Market 32 has been completed, according to an announcement Monday.

It comes after the finish of the regulatory review process and after approval from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Both companies will be managed locally by existing leaders and keep their names, but they will be owned and overseen by a new parent company, Northeast Grocery, Inc.

Scott Grimmett, the current president and CEO of Price Chopper/Market 32, will lead the new parent company. He will also serve on its board of directors as well as Frank Curci, the former Tops Markets chairman and CEO.

“We’re appreciative of the FTC’s diligence in reviewing this merger and grateful to have received all of the necessary approvals. Now, we can dedicate ourselves to bringing these two storied grocery chains together, leveraging best practices, developing new opportunities, and finding efficiencies that will help us continue to deliver distinctive shopping experiences,” said Grimmett.

Twelve stores must be divested as part of the merger. C&S Wholesale Grocers (C&S) has been approved to purchase all of the stores, which are:

Cooperstown	5 Commons Dr.	Cooperstown, N.Y. 13326
Cortland	3932 State Route 281	Cortland, N.Y.13045
Norwich	54 E Main St.	Norwich, N.Y. 13815
Owego	1145 NY-17C	Owego, N.Y. 13827
Peru	50 S. Main St.	Peru, N.Y. 12972
Rome	217 Erie Blvd. W.	Rome, N.Y. 13440
Rutland	14 N. Main St.	Rutland, V.T. 05701
Saranac Lake	156 Church St.	Saranac Lake, N.Y. 12972
Sherrill	87 E State St.	Sherrill, N.Y. 13461
South Watertown	1330 Washington St	S. Watertown, N.Y. 13601
Warrensburg	3836 Main St.	Warrensburg, N.Y. 12885
Watertown	22050 Seaway Shopping Ctr.	Watertown, N.Y. 13601

C&S will continue to recognize the union workforce at the locations.

Blaine Bringhurst will serve as president of Price Chopper/Market 32 and John Persons as the president of Tops Markets. Dave Langless, the chief financial officer of Tops, will serve as the parent company’s CFO.

Northeast Grocery, Inc. will be headquartered in Schenectady, N.Y., as will Price Chopper/Market 32. Tops Markets will retain its main office in Williamsville, N.Y.