Tops acquiring more stores in CNY

Tops Friendly Markets plans to purchase three Big M supermarkets in Central and Northern New York in a deal scheduled to close at the end of the year.

Williamsville–based Tops will acquire Big M grocery stores at 227 E. Main St. in Elbridge, 9 Mechanic St. in Jordan, and 3385 Main St. in Mexico. The supermarket chain did not release financial terms of the transaction, which it agreed to with the Farrugia family.

“We are excited about this growth opportunity for Tops as we bring these new stores into the Tops family,” Tops President and CEO Frank Curci said in a news release. “These stores are a natural addition to our current footprint, and we look forward to meeting the needs of our new neighbors and customers, providing them with a positive shopping experience that focuses on variety, freshness, convenience, and exceptional value.”

The move continues Tops’ push into Central New York. The grocer initially expanded into the area in 2010 when it acquired P&C supermarkets from Syracuse–based Penn Traffic Co. in bankruptcy court. The supermarket chain’s other expansions in the area include opening a store in Syracuse’s Valley Plaza at the end of October.

Tops has also been active with other acquisitions in 2012. It added 21 Grand Union stores and a location in North Boston, N.Y. earlier this year.

The Big M acquisition is slated to close Dec. 31. Tops said it will offer jobs to the 161 employees that currently work at the grocery stores changing hands.

“First and foremost, the Farrugia family would like to thank the Elbridge, Jordan, and Mexico communities for their many years of loyal support starting in 1968 in Elbridge, New York,” the Farrugia family’s Michael Farrugia said. “Because of this support, we were able to grow into an organization employing close to 200 associates. We feel that the addition of Tops Markets will enhance the ability for future employment as well as the capacity to upgrade these stores to the benefit of these communities for years to come.”

Tops, which has over 15,000 employees, currently operates 151 supermarkets, including 146 company-owned locations and five franchises. It runs the stores under the Tops, Grand Union, and Bryant’s names in upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania, and western Vermont.

Contact Seltzer at rseltzer@cnybj.com