Tops to Debut 35th Store in N.Y.’s Erie County

Tops Markets LLC will have 35 locations in upstate New York’s Erie County after it buys the North Boston Market Place on Boston State Road in North Boston, N.Y. Williamsville, N.Y.-based Tops has entered into a purchase agreement and will assume operation of the grocery store when the transaction closes.

“North Boston Market Place has served the surrounding community for many years, and we plan to continue the tradition of providing shoppers with an exceptional shopping experience,” said Tops president and CEO Frank Curci. “As a neighborhood store, customers will see increased variety, a commitment to health and wellness, and exceptional value and savings in an overall enhanced store setting.”

In the next few months, the grocer will undertake a major renovation of the location, including new interior and exterior signage, a new storefront, and refreshed décor, in common with similar capital improvements the chain has made across its market area over the past three years. The deal is expected to close on July 9, on which date the store will close, reopening the next day as a Tops location.

The North Boston Market Place first opened under the ownership of Bob Marean as a Tops-sponsored B-Kwik 40 years ago. Bob’s son, Mike, has been part of the business for more than three decades.

The approximately eight full-time and 22 part-time employees at the North Boston location all can apply for continued employment with Tops, according to the company, which declined to disclose specific terms of the agreement.

Tops currently operates 133 full-service supermarkets – 127 company-owned and six franchise locations – and has more than 14,000 associates in upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania.