Big Y Buys Pharmacy, Plans to Close Supermarket
Big Y Foods, Inc. has acquired the New Milford Pharmacy in New Milford, Conn., and will close its supermarket on 800 Boston Road in its hometown of Springfield, Mass., next month.
Known for its personalized customer service, the New Milford Pharmacy, the town’s leading community pharmacy, is Big Y’s 34th pharmacy. Most of this store’s pharmacists and employees will be asked to stay on, the grocer said, adding that the pharmacy will remain at its current location and offer an expanded line of products.
The regional grocer made the decision to close the 64,260-square-foot supermarket, which opened 17 years ago, following a recent customer business review that included an evaluation of competitive markets within the area. The review, which noted an ongoing lack of population growth within the surrounding community during a rough economic patch, recommended the termination of the store’s lease.
According to the company, many of the location’s 130 associates will be offered employment at other Big Y stores with openings from recent voluntary layoff packages offered last year.
“It is always difficult to close a store,” acknowledged Big Y president Charles L. D’Amour. “Fortunately, we are able to absorb many from this team within our other markets. We appreciate all of their help and support along with those loyal customers who loved shopping there. We hope that they will continue to visit other nearby Big Y’s for their grocery needs.”
Despite the store closure, Big Y still plans to develop two new locations and renovate five existing ones this year.
Big Y, one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England, operates 57 stores throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts with over 9,100 employees.
Known for its personalized customer service, the New Milford Pharmacy, the town’s leading community pharmacy, is Big Y’s 34th pharmacy. Most of this store’s pharmacists and employees will be asked to stay on, the grocer said, adding that the pharmacy will remain at its current location and offer an expanded line of products.
The regional grocer made the decision to close the 64,260-square-foot supermarket, which opened 17 years ago, following a recent customer business review that included an evaluation of competitive markets within the area. The review, which noted an ongoing lack of population growth within the surrounding community during a rough economic patch, recommended the termination of the store’s lease.
According to the company, many of the location’s 130 associates will be offered employment at other Big Y stores with openings from recent voluntary layoff packages offered last year.
“It is always difficult to close a store,” acknowledged Big Y president Charles L. D’Amour. “Fortunately, we are able to absorb many from this team within our other markets. We appreciate all of their help and support along with those loyal customers who loved shopping there. We hope that they will continue to visit other nearby Big Y’s for their grocery needs.”
Despite the store closure, Big Y still plans to develop two new locations and renovate five existing ones this year.
Big Y, one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England, operates 57 stores throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts with over 9,100 employees.