|
Tops Never Stops
A public re-opening celebration marked the completion of a $3 million construction and renovation project at Tops Friendly Market in Auburn. Store employees, local officials and customers were in attendance for the ribbon cutting ceremony held to celebrate the addition of the store's new fuel service station, as well as the completion of renovations that touched every department inside.
Some of the changes improve product quality and inventory size, while others improve customer convenience. Renovations included new energy-efficient display cases, expanded departments and four self-service checkout lanes. The Auburn store also donated $2500 to five local charities during the ceremony. The project in Auburn was part of a larger $150 million statewide capitol investment plan, which included renovating stores in Cortland and Ithaca as well.
Several upgrades in Auburn, such as its expanded organic department, were based on Tops customer’s recommendations. “We listened to our customers, and being locally owned and operated, we’re better able to respond to their needs,” said store manager Rich Szachta. “We’re offering shoppers an enhanced in-store experience, paying special attention to convenience, quality, variety and overall great value,” he continued.
On a larger front in January, Tops Markets bid was accepted to buy all 79 stores run by bankrupt rival Penn Traffic Co., a move that will further deepen its roots in New York and Pennsylvania and extend its reach into other Northeastern states. Penn Traffic operates 79 P&Cs, Quality Markets and BiLo stores in NY, PA, VT and NH and employs nearly 5,800 people.
Tops now employs more than 10,000 people. It operates 67 company-owned supermarkets and five franchise outlets in western and central New York, plus four supermarkets in Erie, Sayre and Bradford in northwestern Pennsylvania.
Szachta said that the company expects to keep “the majority, if not all,” of Penn Traffic's workers. The buy out will also preserve shopping options in rural communities, where stores were sure to close otherwise.
|
