Dive Brief:
- Tops Friendly Markets is investing more than $6 million into five of its stores in the Erie, Pennsylvania, area in an effort to “refresh the store experience,” according to a Wednesday announcement.
- The renovations cover over 225,000 square feet and will expand the stores’ selections of local and organic produce, bring their bakery departments a larger selection of custom cakes and pastries, and add more on-the-go options to deli and carry-out cafe sections.
- Tops intends to close its store at 1520 W. 26th St. in Erie later this month in connection with the renovation initiative.
Dive Insight:
The investment will go towards renovations to five Tops Markets in Erie, Waterford, Union City and Meadville. In addition to providing the stores with expanded selling space, the upgrades will include the installation of new decor, energy-efficient lighting and self-checkout stations, according to the press release.
The exterior of each store will also be repainted and receive new landscaping, the announcement noted.
In addition, the Tops’ location at 712 W. 38th St. in Erie will receive a new fuel station, while another Erie store location, at 1702 E. 38th St., will expand to offer new beer and wine options.
“These significant investments are already underway at several locations and will elevate the customer experience and provide expanded access to fresh foods at our local stores. We’re excited to officially re-open three store locations soon and also finish off the additional renovation work,” Ron Ferri, the grocer’s executive vice president of operations and distribution, said in a statement.
The two Erie locations as well as a store at 230 S. High St. in Waterford are scheduled to reopen on June 25 with all renovations completed. The retailer expects to finish renovations at the Union City and Meadville locations by late summer or early fall.
Tops said it decided to close the W. 26th St. store in Erie in part because of the supermarket’s proximity to the stores it is upgrading, adding that it is offering all associates at the location jobs at nearby locations. Operations at the location will cease on June 23.
