Shoppers Finalizes Maryland Store Purchase

Shoppers Food & Pharmacy’s bid to buy a Superfresh store in Ellicott City, Md., has been approved by the court overseeing the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings of the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., from which the Supervalu discount banner purchased the location.

“We are excited to become part of the Ellicott City community,” noted Tim Lowe, president of Bowie, Md.-based Shoppers. “We’re looking forward to serving our new neighbors and friends with a special local focus that can come only from a neighborhood grocer.”

Shoppers anticipates that it will take possession of the store on July 7. On that day, the store pharmacy will open, with the main part of store slated to reopen to the public by July 17. The location's hours will be 6 a.m. to midnight daily, while the pharmacy will operate Mondays through Fridays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The banner plans to renovate the store over the summer and will hold a grand reopening celebration later in 2011, sharing additional details about the event, as well as  the services and amenities the store will offer, as they become available.

Shoppers also will consider rehiring existing Superfresh employees, based on terms and conditions of employment that it establishes. The grocer has a working relationship with the union representing the associates, and will work with the local to decide how to proceed if recognition is legally required.

Part of the family of grocery stores owned by Minneapolis-based Supervalu, Shoppers operates 56 locations in Baltimore, northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. The banner targets price-conscious consumers by offering more than 30,000 everyday low prices and a commitment to save up to 15 percent or more every day with no card necessary.

Last month, Montvale, N.J.-based A&P said that it had auctioned off 12 Superfresh stores in Maryland and Washington, D.C., including the Ellicott City location, for expected proceeds of $40 million, peding bankruptcy court approval.