Tops is a chain of supermarkets in Western and Northern New York State. The Northern New York State stores were previously Grand Unions. Discuss about them here.
I worked for Tops for about 7 years during high school and college..up until about two years ago. They are a division of Ahold USA (owned by Dutch grocer Royal Ahold) and are actually operated by Giant Food Markets in Carlisle, PA. The local HQ staff were pretty much eliminated about three years ago when Tops and Giant were merged into one division.
Originally, Tops was founded by several families in Niagara Falls in the early 1960's. The Nanula's, Castellani's, and Bascaglia's (maybe more too...can't remember) ran the company until 1991 when they sold out to Royal Ahold. Larry Castellani, son of founder, Armand Castellani, was CEO until 1998.
There is absolutely no consistency in what you should expect at a Tops. There are a few older stores left that date from the 70's that are about 35,000 SF and then some "Super Center's" that opened during the 1990's that range from 90,000-115,000 SF...and then some other stores that opened more recently that are about 50-60,000 SF. The loss of local leadership within in the chain has led to Tops losing plenty of market share to Wegmans. THey still are the market leader, but are nowhere near the numbers they had during the 90's and earlier.
There are Tops all throughout WNY, Rochester/midstate, the Adirondack's, Northwestern Pennsylvania, and Northeastern Ohio.
alot of Grand Unions in Upstate NY became Tops
Just at Tops today..They're ok, but I like Wegman's a lot better. My mom works as a pharmacist for them.
BTW, what the heck is their logo supposed to be? It looks like a flying box to me..:huh:
I think I read about a week ago that Top's in Ohio is ditching in-store butchers and selling pre-packaged meat like the Wal-Mart Stupidcenters do.:barf:
Blah. STORES NEED HUMAN LIFE!!!!!;)
What's next, electronic cashiers?? Oh wait, they have those already..:mad::P
Actually, I like the electronic cash registers. Price Chopper has those. Hey, Jag, have you ever been to a Price Chopper?
QuoteOriginally posted by Jag67
Just at Tops today..They're ok, but I like Wegman's a lot better. My mom works as a pharmacist for them.
BTW, what the heck is their logo supposed to be? It looks like a flying box to me..:huh:
I think iits supposed to be a top ya know the one you spin?
lol:insane:
Here's a VERY old Tops from the 70's lol..So different from todays tops..
love the "Super food center":insane:
the retro sign...They havent used these since the mid-late 80's
What location is this? I might have passed it when I was in Buffalo. Is it the one on the corner of Suthwestern Blvd and Hamburg Turnpike?
in upsatse NY they have many tops locations
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
What location is this? I might have passed it when I was in Buffalo. Is it the one on the corner of Suthwestern Blvd and Hamburg Turnpike?
yah, it's in Hamburg. Know when it was built?
Well I'd have to say sometime in the 70's, by the looks of it, and the lights in the parking lot, but not living in Buffalo, I wouldn't know..heh.
That store, Tops #215 (McKinley), was built around 1982. It was one of the first "Super Centers" that Tops had. Go figure. Now it's pretty small and dumpy by comparison to newer locations.
Most of the older Tops stores have been replaced although a few do remain. The Derby store, built in 1976, is still open, although the new location is being built and will be open by Labor Day. This is a VERY old and small store. Some other old Tops stores are:
Dunkirk - also being replaced this year
Broadway and Bailey in the city of Bflo
Bailey and South Park Avenue in the city of Bflo
University Plaza near the Amherst/Buffalo city line - this has been remodeled extensively inside and outside over the years
Maple and Transit - completely remodeled in the last five years. Actually resembles the newer Tops layout, but was an old store on the lines of the McKinley store
I believe most of these locations were from the early 1980's.
hey, thanx for the info. Wow, 1982. That's still pretty old compared top the new ones. Out of all those you listed, I've been to the last 2. I remember somebody telling me that the university store was built in the mid 80's. I think it was renovated when the whole plaza was rebuilt a few years ago.
PS Jmn3 do you know when the Tops at Transit and North French rd. was built? That's the tops we always go to..
PS- I'm sure you know this but on Delaware ve. near the bon-ton sheridan location there's a former Tops, which became a Vix and then closed. What's funny is, thanks to deterioration, you can see the original 60's walls and floor under the newer stuff. Cool!!
wow, the Buffalo stores(the two I've been to) don't even look like that. Also, the Orchard Park store was replaced by a newer store as well.
If you want some small (and old) stores - check out some of the former Grand Unions that are now Tops in the Adirondacks - I was in the one in Elizabethtown a couple years back (and by the way Elizabethtown is the county seat for it's county) - that store was really small (smaller than several Grand Unions that closed during the bankruptcy).
Of course, when the next nearest store is 15 or 25 miles away, I guess you don't need to do much enlarging/updating to keep the customers coming in.
NO store needs remodeling to keep me from coming!!! The more dated the better!!
QuoteOriginally posted by Jag67
PS Jmn3 do you know when the Tops at Transit and North French rd. was built? That's the tops we always go to..
PS- I'm sure you know this but on Delaware ve. near the bon-ton sheridan location there's a former Tops, which became a Vix and then closed. What's funny is, thanks to deterioration, you can see the original 60's walls and floor under the newer stuff. Cool!!
Transit and North French, #227, was opened around 1995 I believe. Somewhere around '94-'96.
That old Tops on Delaware is really old! There are a ton of old Tops stores around town. Just off the top of my head:
Camp Road and Scranton Road - Hamburg (sits vacant except a satellite office of the Buffalo News; closed in 1992)
Orchard Park and Michael Roads - Orchard Park (occupied by an antique mall; closed around 2001/2002)
Ridge Road - West Seneca (half occupied by Big Lots; closed in 1997. Was originally a Twin Fair store. Tops opened in the late 1980's)
French and Union Roads - Cheektowaga/GardenVillage Plaza (closed in the early 90's; was a Vix for many years; now vacant)
French and Borden Roads - Cheektowaga (closed in the early 90's at the same time as the store on French and Union when the "super center" was opened at French and Transit)
Transit and Rehm Roads - Depew (closed in the early 2000's; may have been torn down (not sure, I haven't been over that way in a while))
Young Street - Tonawanda (now a Big Lots, closed around 2002)
This is just a small number of the old Tops stores still standing. There are plenty more around that I just can' t think of now...I believe the original Tops store at Pine Plaza in Niagara Falls is still standing.
The original Tops logo was in all caps, T O P S, and each letter was located in a separate diamond. I will look and see if I can find anything but I doubt this is on the net anywhere. The current logo dates back to at least the mid 1970's if not to the very early '70's or late '60's.
Thanks for the info. I knew it had to be built somewhere around there. The old tops/Vix on delaware must date to at least the early-mid sixties. I remember the french/ union rd. Vix. That was actually quite big for a supermarket back in the day. It's probalby pretty rough on the inside..I remember the Transit and Rehm one too..I remember seeing it right after it closed and it was all vacant and had no sign. Sad..I think it closed in 2000. I saw the tops logo in a magazine dated 1976, so It's gotta date at least from around there..
I work at Price Chopper in Fulton and they are buying a few Tops Stores in Oswego Fulton As many as 20 Tops Stores Are Up for Sale
I saw a Topps in Whitehall New York, near a Cvs. The TOpps was wooden brown, and very small.
News story today:
Tops sells 3 CNY stores to Price Chopper
Fate uncertain for Tops employees at supermarkets in Oswego, Fulton, Oneida.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
By Bob Niedt
Staff writer
Tops Markets is selling six of its Central New York and Upstate supermarkets to Price Chopper and putting 25 more on the commercial real estate market.
The supermarkets sold to Price Chopper include three Central New York stores: in Oneida, Fulton and Oswego. The others are in Owego, Sidney and Tupper Lake.
Price Chopper, which is based in Schenectady, already operates stores in Oneida, Fulton and Oswego.
"They are better facilities than the ones we are currently operating, and we look to be able to grow and expand our market reach in those three towns," said Neil Golub, president and chief executive officer of Price Chopper.
Down the road, Price Chopper will move into the Tops buildings and close its current stores in those communities.
What will happen to the Tops employees in those stores?
Golub said it is too early to say.
"They are employees of Tops Markets LLC," said Golub.
Tops and Price Chopper would not reveal terms of the sale of the six stores.
The 25 Tops supermarkets on the market include stores in Hamilton, Rome, New Hartford and Utica.
Tops employees were told of the sale Monday, months after rumors began circulating Tops would consolidate its operations in Western New York where it is based, near Buffalo and Price Chopper was hot on the trail of some of those properties.
Many of the Tops stores sold or being sold are in the Adirondacks, in one-supermarket communities. If all the properties are sold, Tops will spin off one-fifth of its store base. The company said it will funnel money from the sale of the stores into its remaining stores for upgrades.
Tops is backing out of a market area that stretches from Oswego up through Utica and Rome into the Northern Adirondacks to Lake Champlain.
Tops had been negotiating with The Penn Traffic Co., which is based in Syracuse and owns P&C Foods and other chains, to buy some of the 31 stores it decided to sell. So far, none have been sold to Penn Traffic.
For months, executives at Tops have told The Post-Standard that talk of a pending sale of its Central New York and Adirondacks stores was just rumor and nothing was for sale.
But other supermarket industry executives have said it has been no secret that Tops has been eager to sell the stores it announced Monday it is selling.
Tops, based in Williamsville, is a division of Giant Food Stores, which is itself a unit of the Dutch food giant Ahold. Tops operates 152 Tops Markets and a newer division, Martin's Super Food Stores, which has two units.
It'll be interesting to see who will pick up the remaining stores for sale.
This is kind of nice to see. Tops seemed to lose it self and has lost a drastic amount of it's market lead in it's core Buffalo market (and to a lesser extent, Rochester and Northwestern PA). Many of the Tops stores, even the newer ones, are 10 years old and older now in WNY...and it would be to their advantage to pump some revenue into updating these stores. Especially with Wegmans building incredible stores that resemble cathedrals all over town (see the completely redesigned and expanded Mckinley Parkway store...it has a tower....looks like a steeple!).
Here's the Tops in Oneida New York. This will beome a Price Chopper soon.
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
Here's the Tops in Oneida New York. This will beome a Price Chopper soon.
why is it gonna become a price choppwer soon is it closed ??
QuoteOriginally posted by Caldor1999
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
Here's the Tops in Oneida New York. This will beome a Price Chopper soon.
why is it gonna become a price choppwer soon is it closed ??
Ahold USA (parent of Tops) is closing/selling off just about all of the non-core market Tops locations. Basically, that means about every Tops store east of Interstate 81 is being closed/sold so that the chain can put more into their Buffalo/Rochester area stores.
so, that means the Northern New York stores are biting the dust as well? Some of those are the only supermarket that the specific town its in, has..
I work at Fulton Price chopper we open OCT 23
here is the 93,000 square foot tops supermarket that opened in 1995 with a 108,000 square foot kmart and that opened over an outdated mall
from http://www.pyramidmg.com/portfolio/west_seneca.asp
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
here is the 93,000 square foot tops supermarket that opened in 1995 with a 108,000 square foot kmart and that opened over an outdated mall
from http://www.pyramidmg.com/portfolio/west_seneca.asp
Actually that Tops did not open until 1997 at the "Shops at West Seneca" (which is just the crappy name they came up with to rename the site where the Seneca Mall used to be). The mall was demolished in the fall of 1994 and this Tops store opened in May 1997. K-Mart didn't open until about two or three years later. Looking at the picture, the left half of the Tops store (approx.) is the location of the former JCPenney building at the mall. Tops and K-Mart are set farther back than the mall was...so JCP was set about half in the current Tops store and half in the current parking lot.
Side note: That stupid name, Shops at West Seneca, has never stuck with people. Most people call it "The Seneca Mall" or more used is the great phrase that people in Buffalo adapt to anything "Where the Seneca Mall used to be." In fact, Tops gives location names and numbers to all stores and that one is Store #49 - Seneca Mall.
As of this July 6 press release, Tops is leaving the Ohio market:
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060707/1026398.asp
Tops to sell 46 stores in Ohio
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N.Y., Pennsylvania will be chain's focus
By MATT GLYNN
News Business Reporter
7/7/2006
Tops Markets plans to divest its 46 supermarkets in Northeast Ohio, which has been a trouble spot for the chain.
"This geographically separate region is no longer considered a core part of Tops' market area, which is concentrated in New York and Pennsylvania," Tops' parent company, Ahold, said in a statement on Thursday.
The 46 locations are in Greater Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown and Norwalk. They employ about 3,800 full- and part-time employees.
The planned sale has no impact on Tops' operations in its hometown of Western New York, said Denny Hopkins, a spokesman for Tops. "Tops has a strong brand loyalty in New York, particularly in Buffalo Niagara," he said. He noted the chain is the market share leader in the Buffalo area, and No. 2 in the Rochester area.
Ahold has retained Chicago-based William Blair and Co. to coordinate discussions with potential buyers. Ahold used the same firm when it put the Wilson Farms convenience store chain up for sale.
Tops hopes to complete the process by the end of the year. Hopkins said the chain will consider all offers, including selling to more than one buyer.
Tops operates 119 Tops stores and four other stores under the Martin's banner in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. If all 46 stores are sold, it would reduce the number of stores under the Tops banner to 73. Tops is a division of another Ahold-owned supermarket chain, Giant of Carlisle, Pa.
Ahold executives have pointed to Tops' Northeast Ohio market as a drag on Ahold's U.S. retail sales. Last year, in a bid to turn things around, Tops named a new regional executive, closed two stores, and switched to selling prepackaged meat in that region.
"We had tried several initiatives there and unfortunately they did not meet the results we had expected," Hopkins said.
Hopkins called Northeast Ohio one of the toughest markets where Tops competes, particularly with an influx of discount chains vying for market share.
The plan to divest the Ohio stores follows previous steps Tops has taken to reduce its presence in New York state, by selling or closing stores in Eastern New York.
The chain said it wants to focus on its core markets in the Buffalo and Rochester areas. This year, it is pouring $20 million into 11 stores in Erie, Niagara and Orleans counties. It plans to spend up to $40 million to upgrade an additional 12 to 15 area stores next year.
Ahold will concentrate its resources on the New York and Pennsylvania markets where the chain is stronger, Hopkins said.
Ahold's shares rose 12 cents to $8.61 Thursday in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The stock has gained 14 percent this year.
e-mail: mglynn@buffnews.com
Very Interesting. Almost seems like there is more to this. Between this and the Eastern NY Market, they're dropping a lot of stores. Many of the stores in my Market were fairly new.
QuoteOriginally posted by Ames#1171
As of this July 6 press release, Tops is leaving the Ohio market:
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060707/1026398.asp
Tops to sell 46 stores in Ohio
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N.Y., Pennsylvania will be chain's focus
By MATT GLYNN
News Business Reporter
7/7/2006
Tops Markets plans to divest its 46 supermarkets in Northeast Ohio, which has been a trouble spot for the chain.
"This geographically separate region is no longer considered a core part of Tops' market area, which is concentrated in New York and Pennsylvania," Tops' parent company, Ahold, said in a statement on Thursday.
The 46 locations are in Greater Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown and Norwalk. They employ about 3,800 full- and part-time employees.
The planned sale has no impact on Tops' operations in its hometown of Western New York, said Denny Hopkins, a spokesman for Tops. "Tops has a strong brand loyalty in New York, particularly in Buffalo Niagara," he said. He noted the chain is the market share leader in the Buffalo area, and No. 2 in the Rochester area.
Ahold has retained Chicago-based William Blair and Co. to coordinate discussions with potential buyers. Ahold used the same firm when it put the Wilson Farms convenience store chain up for sale.
Tops hopes to complete the process by the end of the year. Hopkins said the chain will consider all offers, including selling to more than one buyer.
Tops operates 119 Tops stores and four other stores under the Martin's banner in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. If all 46 stores are sold, it would reduce the number of stores under the Tops banner to 73. Tops is a division of another Ahold-owned supermarket chain, Giant of Carlisle, Pa.
Ahold executives have pointed to Tops' Northeast Ohio market as a drag on Ahold's U.S. retail sales. Last year, in a bid to turn things around, Tops named a new regional executive, closed two stores, and switched to selling prepackaged meat in that region.
"We had tried several initiatives there and unfortunately they did not meet the results we had expected," Hopkins said.
Hopkins called Northeast Ohio one of the toughest markets where Tops competes, particularly with an influx of discount chains vying for market share.
The plan to divest the Ohio stores follows previous steps Tops has taken to reduce its presence in New York state, by selling or closing stores in Eastern New York.
The chain said it wants to focus on its core markets in the Buffalo and Rochester areas. This year, it is pouring $20 million into 11 stores in Erie, Niagara and Orleans counties. It plans to spend up to $40 million to upgrade an additional 12 to 15 area stores next year.
Ahold will concentrate its resources on the New York and Pennsylvania markets where the chain is stronger, Hopkins said.
Ahold's shares rose 12 cents to $8.61 Thursday in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The stock has gained 14 percent this year.
e-mail: mglynn@buffnews.com
here is the former tops supermarket in Whitehall new york (near the vermont border) and it is vacant as of May 30, 2006. when I Got gas across the street, I asked the person if a new supermarket will come and he said he has not heard of one. well the town is hurting because they have to drive 15 miles. well a price chopper could come. I have pictures of this tops 2 years ago and have to digitize the pictures.
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
here is the former tops supermarket in Whitehall new york (near the vermont border) and it is vacant as of May 30, 2006. when I Got gas across the street, I asked the person if a new supermarket will come and he said he has not heard of one. well the town is hurting because they have to drive 15 miles. well a price chopper could come. I have pictures of this tops 2 years ago and have to digitize the pictures.
more former whitehall one
hmm..that oval-shaped sign looks like it may have once been an Eckerd's drug
QuoteOriginally posted by Jag67
hey, thanx for the info. Wow, 1982. That's still pretty old compared top the new ones. Out of all those you listed, I've been to the last 2. I remember somebody telling me that the university store was built in the mid 80's. I think it was renovated when the whole plaza was rebuilt a few years ago.
PS Jmn3 do you know when the Tops at Transit and North French rd. was built? That's the tops we always go to..
PS- I'm sure you know this but on Delaware ve. near the bon-ton sheridan location there's a former Tops, which became a Vix and then closed. What's funny is, thanks to deterioration, you can see the original 60's walls and floor under the newer stuff. Cool!!
old tops in champlain ny that price chopper bought out and moved next door in the old ames.
what is now in the one in malone ny
Martin Super Foods which is ownd by Tops is Non Union in the buffalo area tops cosed and ope up as martin super foods so the dont have to deal with union
The Martin's stores in Buffalo (Derby, Dunkirk, Batavia, and for a short time, Amherst before reverting back to Tops) are unionized under Local One, just as the Tops stores. The bargaining agreement is exactly the same. I'm not sure where the rumor was started that the Martin's stores would be non-union, but they certainly are 100% unionized just as their Tops cousins are.
on wsyr chanel 9 news said last night that the whole tops chain is being put for up for sale
QuoteOriginally posted by shakethis1234
on wsyr chanel 9 news said last night that the whole tops chain is being put for up for sale
Sure enough, it's true.
News Story (http://www.rnews.com/Story_2004.cfm?ID=43416&rnews_story_type=18)
That will lead quite a void of markets. Makes ya wonder who will be interested in picking them up??
Price Chopper has shown interest in buying some old Tops locations. Perhaps they'll come out to the Rochester and Buffalo areas now.
I don't think so. I was told we're not going to enter any new markets right now. Expansion is going to continue in existing markets. For example by 2010 we're supposed to open 4 more locations in the Hartford, Connecticut area including Windsor which is supposed to be opening in May 2007.
I think they changed their tune. Read this and you'll see what I mean. http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2006/11/06/daily10.html?f=et55&hbx=e_du
QuoteOriginally posted by amesman
I think they changed their tune. Read this and you'll see what I mean. http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2006/11/06/daily10.html?f=et55&hbx=e_du
"Price Chopper, which owns 115 supermarkets in six states, bought six Tops stores last year. A number of the existing Tops are located near Price Chopper supermarkets. "
To me, it sounds like they want to purchase stores to move out of older existing stores, much like they did when they bought some P&C and other Tops Stores.
I would venture that Wegmans would also be a strong Contender in looking to purchase some stores.
Here in Cleveland, Giant Eagle bought 18 of our Tops Supermarkets, and Dave's Supermarket bought 5 of them. As of now the rest of them will close, including the one that is about 2 minutes from my house, which is huge. I also heard that Giant Eagle made everyone in the stores that they bought, re-apply for their jobs, and will slash pay rates and benefits after the takeover.
QuoteOriginally posted by Ames#1171
I also heard that Giant Eagle made everyone in the stores that they bought, re-apply for their jobs, and will slash pay rates and benefits after the takeover.
It's not the first time stores have done that. In 1996 when Shaw's bought the Edwards in Southington (and I assume the other Edward's they bought as well Waterbury, West Hartford, etc) they made the employees who wanted to stay on reapply for their jobs. I don't know about pay/benefit cuts.
When Giant Eagle bought some of the Big Bear's they made us all apply for jobs. Although in my opinion this was a good thing considering my store wasnt bought, but I was able to get a job in a store that had been bought. For most employees (unless they were low-pay cashiers) had to take pay cuts. We got a whole 10 cents a hour bump for every year we had been with Big Bear above the standard starting pay.
Here is the closed Tops in Parma, which will eventually become a Giant Eagle:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/jdb2001/Store%20Pics/HPIM0750.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/jdb2001/Store%20Pics/HPIM0752.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/jdb2001/Store%20Pics/HPIM0751.jpg)
There are a boatload of abandoned Tops locations around here. A couple have been turned into "Rego's Fresh Market," which pretty much painted the Tops aisle signs green and wrote "Rego's" on them before opening. A LOT of the Tops signage remains. There's an old location at Sheffield Centre that became an Apples market, which has the same signs from Tops before it, only they kept the aisle markers red, made new ones to match the existing Tops-done ones, and wrote "Apples" on the signs, with pictures of apples on them as well.
One former Tops in Elyria became a Giant Eagle, and then closed a short time later, since it couldn't compete with the Super Wal-Mart and other, larger Giant Eagle location in close proximity to it. Its last day was February 2nd.
The old Tops location in Avon Lake is sitting vacant, as is the new 'prototype' location in Brook Park. The Brook Park location used to be the $1.50 movie theater, and was the foundation for redoing the entire plaza's appearance to match the Tops building design. A Giant Eagle could move in, if one hadn't taken over the old Acme SuperCenter building around the corner when that store closed in 1996.
When Ames went under, Tops bought its building and demolished it to build a new store, moving from their old Pick-n-Pay outlot at Great Northern Mall to the new building. The old building is now home to Remington College, and the new building is sitting empty.
Something I've noticed is that all of the abandoned Tops stores still have all of their signage hanging up in tact. Is this a common practice? It's like they simply closed the doors and never looked back.
QuoteOriginally posted by Anonymous
Something I've noticed is that all of the abandoned Tops stores still have all of their signage hanging up in tact. Is this a common practice? It's like they simply closed the doors and never looked back.
The last time I looked in the Brooklyn, OH Tops, the registers and everything were still there. Like you said it looks like they just closed one day and never opened again.
Which Tops is the one you took the pictures of? You said Parma, which brings to mind three possibilities. The only one that makes sense to me is the one on Broadview Road across from the old Ames plaza. It's not the one on Pleasant Valley Road, since Wikipedia claims that it's now an Acme Fresh Market store. I know it's not the one by Parmatown Mall, since that one - at last check, unless it renovated/moved - was that modern-looking one that, once upon a time, used to be Gold Circle, then Hills. When Hills moved out, Finast moved over and turned the building into a superstore location, leaving their old location - next door, red awning and all - to become VIX Deep Discount (later VIX/3D Deep Discount Drug). They eventually closed, and the space was gutted to become Circuit City.
At any rate, that Tops looks like it was destined to be a Giant Eagle from the start. Its building design is identical to the GE ones, except that it has the signature Finast/Tops trapezoidal entrance design.
QuoteOriginally posted by Anonymous
Which Tops is the one you took the pictures of? You said Parma, which brings to mind three possibilities. The only one that makes sense to me is the one on Broadview Road across from the old Ames plaza. It's not the one on Pleasant Valley Road, since Wikipedia claims that it's now an Acme Fresh Market store. I know it's not the one by Parmatown Mall, since that one - at last check, unless it renovated/moved - was that modern-looking one that, once upon a time, used to be Gold Circle, then Hills. When Hills moved out, Finast moved over and turned the building into a superstore location, leaving their old location - next door, red awning and all - to become VIX Deep Discount (later VIX/3D Deep Discount Drug). They eventually closed, and the space was gutted to become Circuit City.
At any rate, that Tops looks like it was destined to be a Giant Eagle from the start. Its building design is identical to the GE ones, except that it has the signature Finast/Tops trapezoidal entrance design.
The Tops that I posted the pictures of is the one on Snow Rd. across the street from Ames that I used to work at. The store that you mentioned on Broadview was a Giant Eagle until a couple of months ago, but moved into the former Tops seen in my pictures. The Tops at Parmatown was recently demolished, as there is an existing Giant Eagle next to the vacant Circuit City.
Aw, they demolished that snazzy looking Tops? :( That sucks!
It's been years since I've lived out that way, so my geography's a little fuzzy. I'm trying to picture a Tops on Snow Road, but I'm coming up empty handed, unless my street geography is off. I think we're talking about the same one (the Ames plaza has an italian restaurant in it whose name escapes me, but I had a graduation party there years ago), and there's also a McDonald's and a car wash nearby.
QuoteOriginally posted by Anonymous
Aw, they demolished that snazzy looking Tops? :( That sucks!
It's been years since I've lived out that way, so my geography's a little fuzzy. I'm trying to picture a Tops on Snow Road, but I'm coming up empty handed, unless my street geography is off. I think we're talking about the same one (the Ames plaza has an Italian restaurant in it whose name escapes me, but I had a graduation party there years ago), and there's also a McDonald's and a car wash nearby.
Yeah they knocked it down a month or so ago. For what I don't know. I'm off tomorrow, so I'm going to try and get out and get some pics to post. The restaurant in the plaza is Dimtri's, and you are right, there is a McDonald's and Car Wash down the street. This area is on the corner of Snow and Broadview, so you are in the right area. Here is a snapshot from Google Earth:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/jdb2001/GoogleEarth_Image.jpg)
Ok here are some pictures:
Quote(the Ames plaza has an Italian restaurant in it whose name escapes me, but I had a graduation party there years ago)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/jdb2001/Store%20Pics/DSCN0172.jpg)
An updated picture of the former Tops on Snow Rd, now a Giant Eagle:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/jdb2001/Store%20Pics/DSCN0170.jpg)
QuoteThe only one that makes sense to me is the one on Broadview Road across from the old Ames plaza.
This is the store you are thinking of on Broadview, it was a Giant Eagle, but now sits empty because they moved into the old Tops on Snow:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/jdb2001/Store%20Pics/DSCN0173.jpg)
Quotethe one by Parmatown Mall, since that one - at last check, unless it renovated/moved - was that modern-looking one that, once upon a time, used to be Gold Circle, then Hills. When Hills moved out, Finast moved over and turned the building into a superstore location
Here is the site of the former Parmatown Tops. Gone, as is the Circuit City that was next door.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/jdb2001/Store%20Pics/DSCN0169.jpg)
And finally, here is a picture of the abandoned Tops on Ridge Rd in Brooklyn, just couple blocks from my house:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/jdb2001/Store%20Pics/DSCN0167.jpg)
Ah, the memories of that neighborhood. I remember that Tops at Ridge Park Square fondly. Back in '99, my grandma and I would spend Saturdays together out that way, but she'd have to work something like 8-noon, so I'd go into town with her and spend the morning by myself until she got out of work. I used to get breakfast at that McDonald's over there, then sit in the parking lot of RPS and watch my Saturday morning Fox Kids. (In particular, I always made time for Power Rangers Lost Galaxy. It was on at 9:30am on Saturdays on WB55. My little 2.1" TV could get enough reception that I could watch it!)
Anyway, that's neither here nor there. The old Giant Eagle on Broadview looks larger than the old Tops on Snow does, so why did they move? It just seems like a dumb move to me, like Staples opening next to Best Buy in what was left of Kmart over there, despite there being a fully functional Office Depot building RIGHT NEXT DOOR. (The Arhaus store could easily be moved, if it's even still there.)
Re: Parmatown - I can't believe that whole building was demolished. I also didn't know that Kohl's (is that the building on the far right?) was so close to it. Is the old OfficeMax still standing over there? (History: That spot was once the studios of WUAB-TV 43 before its merger with 19 and subsequent move to Downtown Cleveland.)
QuoteThe old Giant Eagle on Broadview looks larger than the old Tops on Snow does, so why did they move?
It's actually bigger inside than it looks. You can't tell it was ever was a Tops. They re-did everything inside, and it's a pretty nice store. But I prefer the one in Biddulph Plaza around the corner from my house though.
And this is what is going to happen to the former Giant Eagle on Broadview:
Catan's moving around corner
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Parma Sun Post
The Snow Road Pat Catan's store will relocate sometime this year to the former Gillombardo's Giant Eagle store on Broadview Road.
The vacant grocery store space also will be occupied by Ollie's Bargain Outlet, according to Shelley Cullins, economic development officer.
She said the leasing paperwork has been signed and that store officials are beginning to get their building permits. The store basically will be split in half to accommodate the new stores. It is not yet known when the retail operations will open.
Ollie's Bargain Outlet stores first opened in 1982 one in Mechanicsburg, Pa. and the other in Harrisburg. Today, there are 62 stores in eight states. The Parma store would be the first in the Greater Cleveland area. The nearest stores are in North Canton and Mansfield.
The concept of Ollie's is "Good Stuff Cheap," and officials say it is the Mid-Atlantic's largest retailer of close-out, surplus and salvage merchandise.
Pat Catan, an entrepreneur in the craft industry, started his first Cleveland art supply store in 1954. The modest 600-square-foot location was on East 131st Street and Miles Avenue. Before that, Catan was mainly an Ohio floral supplies distributor. Now there are 20 Pat Catan's stores located throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania. Each store is packed full of craft supplies, including floral decorations and wood turnings, along with art and jewelry making supplies.
Catan was influenced by his experiences growing up in the Great Depression and serving in World War II, according to store officials. He found value in hard work and dedication. Officials say his family continues the tradition of providing quality products at reasonable prices.
Catan's spokesperson Ron Wire said the move is still in the planning stages and a timeline for the relocation has yet to be established.
QuoteThe Arhaus store could easily be moved, if it's even still there.
Yep, it's still there.
QuoteRe: Parmatown - I can't believe that whole building was demolished.
I was surprised too and I've been trying to figure out what was going to go in there. Well I did some digging, and guess what is going in there? A brand new Giant Eagle. I found this article on Cleveland.com:
Thursday, November 15, 2007
By Pat Salemi
Parma Sun Post
PARMA Day Drive.
These are commercial areas where residents soon will see progressive change and new development, say city officials.
Director of Community Development Erik Tollerup says the city has been meeting with property owners along Day Drive to discuss redevelopment of empty retail space.
"We recognize the need for it and are looking at different options including redesigning the area from big box retailers to possibly mixed use," he said.
One change that residents and shoppers definitely will see on Day Drive will be the demolition of the former Tops grocery store and Circuit City buildings, which were purchased by Giant Eagle. The project is expected to begin within the next few months.
Representatives of the area's dominant grocery store chain are in the process of presenting the company's plans for a new store on that site, Tollerup said. The building now occupied by Giant Eagle, which it leases from Wolpal & Associates of Pittsburgh, will be vacated once construction of the new store is complete. City officials are hopeful the space can then be redeveloped.
From The Buffalo News 7/20/12
http://www.buffalonews.com/incoming/article956610.ece
Tops acquires 21 sites from Grand Union
Move expands presence upstate, in Vermont
Tops Friendly Markets announced the acquisition of 21 supermarkets in upstate New York and Vermont on Thursday. The Amherst-based grocery chain reached an agreement with Grand Union Markets LLC, an affiliate of C&S Wholesale Grocers.
Tops said it made the move to expand its footprint throughout the region, which now boasts a total of 153 stores. Familiarity helped spark the deal.
"C&S is a partner and supplies most of [our] New York stores," said Katie McKenna, Tops' public relations manager. "These are stores that Tops has operated in the past, and it knows the area and communities. We're getting into smaller formats because that's what some communities are looking for."
The deal made great sense for both organizations, according to Michael Newbold, chief administrative officer for C&S Wholesale Grocers.
"It allows Tops to strengthen its retail network, while C&S will continue to focus on its core business of supplying innovative supply and logistics solutions to its wholesale customers," Newbold said in a release.
The average size of the new stores is about 20,000 square feet, and there are no immediate plans to change the name on store banners. The goal set forth by Tops is to bring excellent customer service and quality products to small communities.
"We plan ... to invest in those stores and the surrounding communities in an effort to best serve our associates and customers," Kevin Darrinton, Tops' chief operating officer, said in a release.
There are roughly 600 employees at the 21 locations, and Tops plans to keep all current workers on board.
McKenna said that the Grand Union name is very strong in most of the communities and that Tops' "strong operational perspective" will make the stores even more successful.
http://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-stories/headlines/regional-supermarket-chains/id38925/tops-bows-2-rebranded-stores/
Looks like Tops has taken over 3 former Big M markets in Elbridge, Jordan and Mexico (NY). Looks like Elbridge & Jordan are fairly close to each other (town-wise) on a map (just a bit west of Syracuse, for those who never heard of these towns).
That Jordan store is really small (11,299 Sq Ft) - probably some pharmacy stores in the Syracuse area bigger than that ;).
Quote from: Ames#1171 on March 20, 2008, 03:53:24 PM
Quote
the one by Parmatown Mall, since that one - at last check, unless it renovated/moved - was that modern-looking one that, once upon a time, used to be Gold Circle, then Hills. When Hills moved out, Finast moved over and turned the building into a superstore location
Here is the site of the former Parmatown Tops. Gone, as is the Circuit City that was next door.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/jdb2001/Store%20Pics/DSCN0169.jpg)
And finally, here is a picture of the abandoned Tops on Ridge Rd in Brooklyn, just couple blocks from my house:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/jdb2001/Store%20Pics/DSCN0167.jpg)
This Hills Department Store that was by Parmatown Mall, did it ever become an Ames Department Store at all, or did this Hills Department Store move to a different location before Ames bought out the Hills Department Store Chain therefore putting Ames at a different location than this one that was by Parmatown Mall when Ames bought out the Hills Department Store Chain?
Also, what direction is this former empty Tops Friendly Markets location in of the Super Kmart Center that is in Brooklyn?
Quote from: JoeC2364 on July 21, 2012, 12:00:58 AM
From The Buffalo News 7/20/12
Tops acquires 21 sites from Grand Union
Move expands presence upstate, in Vermont
Tops Friendly Markets announced the acquisition of 21 supermarkets in upstate New York and Vermont on Thursday. The Amherst-based grocery chain reached an agreement with Grand Union Markets LLC, an affiliate of C&S Wholesale Grocers.
The average size of the new stores is about 20,000 square feet, and there are no immediate plans to change the name on store banners. The goal set forth by Tops is to bring excellent customer service and quality products to small communities.
"We plan ... to invest in those stores and the surrounding communities in an effort to best serve our associates and customers," Kevin Darrinton, Tops' chief operating officer, said in a release.
There are roughly 600 employees at the 21 locations, and Tops plans to keep all current workers on board.
McKenna said that the Grand Union name is very strong in most of the communities and that Tops' "strong operational perspective" will make the stores even more successful.
Apparently the definition of no immediate plans to change the name is wait about 10 months.
If you go to gufamilymarkets.com and look at the ad links, you'll see that 9 stores have ads which note that your store will soon be Tops:
Greenville, Hancock, West Coxsackie, Hoosick Falls, Stamford and Tannersville in NY, plus Rutland, Northfield, and Hardwick in VT. However the other 12 stores do not mention this change - these are the Adirondack stores that had the Tops name once before (Ausable Forks, Bolton Landing, Chestertown, Corinth, Elizabethtown, North Creek, Peru, Saranac Lake x 2, Schroon Lake & Warrensburg, plus Northville).
Tops Buys Four Big M Stores
Tops Friendly Markets has completed its purchase of four Big M grocery stores.
The stores are in Boonville, Watertown, Sandy Creek and Adams. They were independently owned by William J. Bonisteel and family.
Earlier this year, Tops acquired Big M supermarkets in Elbridge, Mexico, and Jordan.
The acquisition expands Tops’ reach into Northern and Central New York.
“We are excited about this growth opportunity for Tops, as we bring these new stores into the Tops family,†said Frank Curci, Tops Markets’ president and CEO, in a statement. “These stores are a natural addition to our current footprint.â€
He said each of the four stores will be remodeled and will transition to the Tops banner by late June. The stores will remain open during remodeling.
Three years ago, Tops bought 79 former Penn Traffic Co. stores and has spent more than $90 million to upgrade its entire chain. It recently launched a standalone brand of gourmet specialty market called Orchard Fresh.
Tops said all 280 employees at the four locations have been offered jobs with Tops.
Orchard Fresh is an upscale fresh market concept that Tops Markets opened.
From the buffalo news
It isn’t exactly grocery wars, but life is about to get more interesting for Buffalo shoppers.
A week from today, homegrown Tops Friendly Markets will open an upscale health food and gourmet store called Orchard Fresh in an affluent Orchard Park neighborhood.
The new venture is aimed at foodies who don’t mind paying a little more to try wildebeest steaks and ostrich hot dogs; health-conscious eaters who want to know that their food is fresh, humane, healthy and eco-friendly; and people with special dietary needs, such as vegan and gluten-free. None of those consumers typically mind forking over a little extra cash to ensure they get the type and quality of food they want.
The new store format is a big gamble for Tops, which got its start in the 1920’s and now has 62 stores across Western New York.
The move also reflects a new reality for food stores: Traditional grocers like Tops are under siege. Discounters Aldi, Save-A-Lot and Walmart compete for price-focused shoppers. At the high end, Wegmans, Premier Gourmet, and Dash’s already compete for gourmet shoppers, and California-based Trader Joe’s plans to enter the Buffalo market later this year at Boulevard Consumer Square in Amherst.
The high end â€" specialty and gourmet items â€" is a $75 billion-a-year industry and growing faster than any part of the grocery business, said Louise Kramer, of the Specialty Food Association.
“There is a lot of opportunity for both more high-end and low-cost offerings; it’s the mid-cost products that are suffering,†said Jenna Telesca, an editor at Supermarket News. “This is why you see supermarkets starting to offer more gourmet-type fresh product â€" to go after that, filling that need.â€
$30 olive oil
Visitors to Orchard Fresh will have no trouble telling it isn’t Tops.
Part green grocer, part butcher shop and fish market, part gourmet take-out restaurant, Orchard Fresh’s inventory is 85 percent freshâ€"organic produce, fish flown in daily, hand-cut cheeses, grass-fed beefâ€"and 15 percent packaged dry goods. It flips traditional supermarket percentages, where just 13 percent of inventory is fresh, perishable food, according to Nielsen Perishables Group.
The 18,000-square-foot store â€" a little larger than an NHL hockey rink â€" has a station for grinding your own nut butters. An executive chef (trained at the Culinary Institute of America) prepares vegan, organic and gluten-free take-out every day. There are more than 150 varieties of bottled cooking oils and vinegars in bottles on shelves (more are available in a bulk section), the most expensive of whichâ€"Dom Diogo extra virgin olive oilâ€"sells for $30.99 for 500 mL.
Instead of Coke and Pepsi, Orchard Fresh will stock Grown-up Soda and several varieties of organic coconut water. You won’t find Cheerios or Lay’s potato chips, but will see Barbara’s Cereal and Tyrrells English Crisps. The store also has hand-picked small vendors, local and national, like Eden Farms and Tipton Mills, to produce private label items specifically for its shelves.
It won’t all be $30 olive oil, Tops insists.
“These smaller companies want their brands in our stores,†said Kevin M. Donovan, a South Buffalo native who was recruited to direct Orchard Fresh from his post as chief operating officer at Maryland’s Conscious Corner, a group of stores known for being socially responsible. “Some of them are sending their first shipments at a 50 percent discount. Things will be affordable.â€
‘Super labor-intensive’
For Tops, Orchard Fresh is a gamble.
Fresh food isn’t easy. Orchard Fresh is opening as British grocer Tesco closes a failed attempt at launching similar Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market stores in the United States, which focused on fresh food and freshly made takeout items.
Locally owned Dash, like Orchard Fresh, has smaller stores that differentiate themselves by offering many gluten-free options and focusing on locally made gourmet products, high-quality meat and seafood, and specialty sweet indulgences, as Orchard Fresh will.
“They’re going to see it’s not easy to run a small store with a large percentage of perishables,†said Joe Dash, Dash’s president. “It’s super labor intensive and you really have to micromanage every [item] to keep it all fresh.â€
However difficult it may be, Tops sees Orchard Fresh as its best opportunity to grow and compete throughout Central New York and Pennsylvania. Three years ago, Tops bought 79 former Penn Traffic Co. stores and has spent more than $90 million to upgrade its entire chain. More recently, it has opened smaller Tops stores, like the 30,000 square-foot store at Harlem and Kensington in Cheektowaga, filling in its already well-developed territory.
To succeed, Orchard Fresh must take customers from other stores. “Wegmans would obviously be affected the most,†said Burt Flickinger III, a retail analyst and managing director of New York City’s Strategic Resource Group.
Wegmans does not seem worried.
“When a new retailer or concept enters a market wherever we have stores, we don’t change course,†said Theresa Jackson, a Wegman’s spokesman.
Orchard Fresh may even take some sales from farmer’s markets and farm stands, but more significantly it could discourage other grocers from entering or expanding in the Western New York market.
“It will make some of the chains that have been expanding, like the Fresh Market in North Carolina, think twice about coming in and taking on both Orchard Fresh and Wegmans at the same time,†Flickinger said.
Two more stores?
If Orchard Fresh succeeds, says Frank Curci, Tops’ chief executive officer, Tops plans to expand to as many as three Buffalo locations, most likely in the northtowns in Clarence or Amherst.
Curci hopes Orchard Fresh will “capture more of the customer’s wallet within our system†while bringing in new customers from elsewhere.
“It’s not that we’re trying to hide the fact that we’re Tops, but it’s a completely different format,†Curci said, adding later: “Tops is still our bread and butter.â€
Flickinger, the retail analyst, describes Orchard Fresh is an “inspired initiative.†Fresh-food failures like the one by British grocer Tesco, he says, had more to do with “Brits trying to interpret what Americans want to buy.â€
“In this case,†he said, “it’s local leadership knowing local consumers, local farmers, local suppliers and talking to local shoppers about what they want.â€
Tops has changed hands again...
http://www.buffalonews.com/business/tops-to-get-new-owner-in-deal-backed-by-current-management-20131114
Good. Maybe they'll move back into all of their still-empty abandoned Ohio stores and reopen!
Quote from: jason83080 on January 04, 2014, 01:38:59 AM
Good. Maybe they'll move back into all of their still-empty abandoned Ohio stores and reopen!
Always possible - they are certainly closer to the existing Tops(with P&C's added in) in NY/PA than some of the stores they recently took over from Grand Union.
Additionally - it seems that parts of Ohio (at least the area nearest to PA) are lacking any major chains aside from Giant Eagle - probably due to all the closures in the past years. Although there are a lot of smaller "independent chains" in many areas.
Ohio is weird there seems to only be walmart and Kroger
Quote from: BillyGr on January 04, 2014, 01:58:48 PM
Always possible - they are certainly closer to the existing Tops(with P&C's added in) in NY/PA than some of the stores they recently took over from Grand Union.
Additionally - it seems that parts of Ohio (at least the area nearest to PA) are lacking any major chains aside from Giant Eagle - probably due to all the closures in the past years. Although there are a lot of smaller "independent chains" in many areas.
It's not so much 'closures' as 'Giant Eagle wound up owning everything because they bought out Stop-n-Shop.' Tops pulled out of NEOH, which was the only major closure that I can think of. Super Kmart is all but a thing of the past. Walmart's hit-or-miss when it comes to food. In all honesty, the only major somewhat-national chain in the Cleveland area is Giant Eagle.
We used to have IGA stores around, as well as Food Centre, but those chains either closed up shop completely or just pulled out of the market. There was also Food 4 Less, but those came and went. Now, we've got Heinen's for your upper-crust market, and Aldi/Save-A-Lot for the budget-conscious market. Oddly, there's a Giant Eagle for every income level: Market District for your upper-crust market, Good Cents for the budget-conscious, and Giant Eagle for everyone else. They're also conquering the gas station market with the GetGo stores!
As for why we're in this thread, the Brook Park, OH, Tops in the Brookgate plaza is becoming a Rose's Discount Store. They should be opening soon.
I was in one of the ex-Grand Union Tops locations in Northfield, VT today and I noticed that they carried very few of Tops' own private label brands, instead carrying the Best Yet brand they carried in their later years as Grand Union. In fact, looking up some random locations it seems like all of the ex-Grand Union locations are in the same boat. Is there any reason for this?
Whatever reason can't be logistical as the remaining Ahold Delhaize rejects they bought in the Hudson Valley appear to carry Tops-branded products and those are as distant if not more from Tops' core than the ex-Grand Union locations. What might be at play?
Perhaps it is logistical, but more based on C&S than Tops itself?
Since C&S is HQ around Keene, NH, they would probably be closer to the (few) stores in VT and those in Northeastern parts of NY than Tops' facilities are? Thus easier for them to deliver to those.
With the other more southern stores, C&S probably doesn't have any easy(ier) access then Tops does, so it wouldn't be any difference for one over the other.
https://progressivegrocer.com/tops-close-10-underperforming-stores-part-restructuring
So 10 stores closing (Syracuse (two locations), Rochester (two locations), Fairport, Lyons, Geneva, Fulton, Elmira and Saranac Lake, N.Y).
Not sure on most of those but the Saranac Lake one makes sense - there have been two stores there since they were Grand Union (then Tops, then back to Grand Union and back to Tops) not that far apart (maybe a mile) - one more in the town and one just on the outskirts.
Always seemed kind of silly for an area as (relatively) small as that is to have two that close.
Tops was best when it was operated as part of Ahold / Giant-Carlisle. It's been a slow ride downhill ever since...
Quote from: BillyGr on August 30, 2018, 05:23:36 PM
https://progressivegrocer.com/tops-close-10-underperforming-stores-part-restructuring
So 10 stores closing (Syracuse (two locations), Rochester (two locations), Fairport, Lyons, Geneva, Fulton, Elmira and Saranac Lake, N.Y).
Not sure on most of those but the Saranac Lake one makes sense - there have been two stores there since they were Grand Union (then Tops, then back to Grand Union and back to Tops) not that far apart (maybe a mile) - one more in the town and one just on the outskirts.
Always seemed kind of silly for an area as (relatively) small as that is to have two that close.
Saranac Lake seemed rather odd as both appear to be 1960s Grand Unions that went through the Tops > Grand Union Family Markets > Tops cycle. The one on the Essex County was the one that closed while the one on the Franklin County side got refreshed. At first glance, it looks like nothing was done to it (since this wasn't a full-scale gutting remodel), but the inside got a new coat of paint, register lights, new decor, and a fresh set of refurbished carts.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/tops-markets-trustee-blames-morgan-stanley-for-grocers-bankruptcy-11581553545
Well then, it appears that Tops #721 kissed the Grand Union checkstand lights goodbye. Wonder how many others got the new tall,slim checkstand lights.
It appears Tops is ramping up the remodeling, even in more neglected areas, such as the Grand Union territory. Here are some pictures of the newly-remodeled Northville store.
20230511_163757.jpg
20230511_163833.jpg
20230511_163846.jpg
The Stamford store is still hanging onto their old Grand Union checklane lights.
IMG_20240502_170031797.jpg