Tops Acquiring 3 Big M Supermarkets

Tops Markets LLC has entered into an agreement with the Farrugia family to purchase three Big M supermarkets in the towns of Elbridge, Mexico and Jordan, N.Y. The deal marks the third acquisition this year for Williamsville, N.Y.-based Tops, expanding its reach further into areas of northern and central New York state.

The grocer’s earlier 2012 acquisitions were of 21 Grand Union locations, and a store in North Boston, N.Y. In 2010, Tops acquired the stores of the now defunct Penn Traffic banners.

The sale of the Big M stores is expected to close by Dec. 31, subject to customary closing conditions. Specific terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed.

Said Tops president and CEO Frank Curci of the deal, “These stores are a natural addition to our current footprint.”

“Because of [employee] support, we were able to grow into an organization employing close to 200 associates,” noted Michael Farrugia. “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 will offer the approximately 161 associates at the three locations continued employment with the company and operate all locations without interruption in service upon closing.

Tops operates 151 full-service supermarkets -- 146 company-owned and five franchise locations -- under the Tops, Grand Union and Bryant’s banners, employing more than 15,000 associates in upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania and western Vermont.