Clemens Out of Philly; Giant to Convert Units to Namesake Banner
CARLISLE, Pa. -- Starting this week, Giant Food Stores here will convert 13 recently acquired Clemens Markets to its own brand.
The transition is part of the breakup of stores owned and operated by the now defunct, Kulpsville, Pa.-based Clemens Markets, which sold off all of its 24 stores in two separate transactions in a deal that was revealed in early September.
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Seven Clemens units closed on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. and will reopen October 25 at 8 a.m. under the Giant Food Stores' banner. The seven stores are located in Abington, Harleysville, New Britain, Perkasie, Plumsteadville, North Coventry, and Quakertown, Pa. During the conversion, the stores' pharmacies, banks, and liquor stores will remain open, Giant said.
In a second phase, the six other Clemens stores in Giant's hands will close October 25 at 6 p.m., and reopen October 29 at 8 a.m. The stores affected in the second phase are in Conshohocken, Exton, Frazer, Langhorne, Spring House, and West Chester, Pa.
Giant will retain the name of Clemens' smaller, upscale FoodSource, with a store in Bryn Mawr, Pa.
Giant Food Stores acquired the 13 Clemens and one FoodSource units from the Clemens family on Sept. 5. In a separate deal, the Clemens sold eight other Clemens locations and two FoodSource stores to Keene, N.H.-based C&S Wholesale Grocers.
Last Friday, Jack Clemens, Clemens Markets' president and c.e.o., sent a farewell e-letter to his chain's customers.
"Clemens Family Markets has been proudly serving communities in Montgomery, Bucks and Chester counties since 1939 with quality goods, exemplary personal service and long family traditions," Clemens said in the letter. "The Clemens' family has been a part of our communities since our grandparents first sold meat products and crops from our local Pennsylvania farms, beginning around the turn of the last century. The family plans to continue this legacy and will remain active in our local communities through the continued presence of our Clemens Foundation.
"We believe the opportunity and resources that Giant Foods Stores and C&S Wholesale Grocers can provide will serve the community, our loyal employees and our customers well," Clemens added. "On behalf of the Clemens' family and our "family" of employees, we sincerely thank you for your business and for shopping in Clemens Family Markets. God bless you."
Giant operates 103 stores under the flagship brand, 114 as Tops Markets and 27 Martin's Food Markets in six states.
The transition is part of the breakup of stores owned and operated by the now defunct, Kulpsville, Pa.-based Clemens Markets, which sold off all of its 24 stores in two separate transactions in a deal that was revealed in early September.
(Story continues below.)
Seven Clemens units closed on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. and will reopen October 25 at 8 a.m. under the Giant Food Stores' banner. The seven stores are located in Abington, Harleysville, New Britain, Perkasie, Plumsteadville, North Coventry, and Quakertown, Pa. During the conversion, the stores' pharmacies, banks, and liquor stores will remain open, Giant said.
In a second phase, the six other Clemens stores in Giant's hands will close October 25 at 6 p.m., and reopen October 29 at 8 a.m. The stores affected in the second phase are in Conshohocken, Exton, Frazer, Langhorne, Spring House, and West Chester, Pa.
Giant will retain the name of Clemens' smaller, upscale FoodSource, with a store in Bryn Mawr, Pa.
Giant Food Stores acquired the 13 Clemens and one FoodSource units from the Clemens family on Sept. 5. In a separate deal, the Clemens sold eight other Clemens locations and two FoodSource stores to Keene, N.H.-based C&S Wholesale Grocers.
Last Friday, Jack Clemens, Clemens Markets' president and c.e.o., sent a farewell e-letter to his chain's customers.
"Clemens Family Markets has been proudly serving communities in Montgomery, Bucks and Chester counties since 1939 with quality goods, exemplary personal service and long family traditions," Clemens said in the letter. "The Clemens' family has been a part of our communities since our grandparents first sold meat products and crops from our local Pennsylvania farms, beginning around the turn of the last century. The family plans to continue this legacy and will remain active in our local communities through the continued presence of our Clemens Foundation.
"We believe the opportunity and resources that Giant Foods Stores and C&S Wholesale Grocers can provide will serve the community, our loyal employees and our customers well," Clemens added. "On behalf of the Clemens' family and our "family" of employees, we sincerely thank you for your business and for shopping in Clemens Family Markets. God bless you."
Giant operates 103 stores under the flagship brand, 114 as Tops Markets and 27 Martin's Food Markets in six states.