‘Acme John’ Honored at Store Reopening

There was a special guest of honor at the Jan. 18 grand reopening of the newly remodeled Acme store in Hockessin, Del.: former Hockessin store director John Donahue, affectionately known as “Acme John” to customers, who recently retired after more than 45 years with the company, including the past 15 at the Hockessin location.

Other attendees at the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Acme VP of Operations Dan Croce, current Hockessin store director Kim Trincia, and other ACME executives and local officials. During the event, Acme, a division of Minneapolis-based Supervalu, made $1,500 in donations to the Hockessin Fire Department, the Police Athletic League of Delaware and the Friends of Hockessin Library. The chain will also donate a park bench made entirely of 3,900 recycled plastic bags to the Cokesbury Village.

The renovated store now carries an expanded variety of fresh produce, meat and seafood, as well as a bountiful assortment of local products. Additional new features include more natural, organic and gluten-free products within the meat, deli and bakery departments, among them the banner’s fifth dedicated Dietz & Watson gluten-free deli, a bigger selection of home meal solutions such as sushi and hot chicken, a pizza station and a full-service Tony Luke’s sandwich shop; and Wi-Fi Bucks County Coffee areas.

“Acme is committed to providing a shopping experience that delivers the products and service that are important to our local community,” said Keith Wyche, president of the Malvern, Pa.-based banner, which operates 113 stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, employing more than 14,000 associates. “When we decided to remodel this location, we kept one thing in mind, the customer experience. We wanted to ensure we added touches that enhance that experience and make shopping fun and enjoyable to our Hockessin neighbors, while providing greater selection and variety.”