Price Chopper, also known as Market 32, has just finalized the acquisition of five former local ShopRite stores. The company proudly announced its plans to convert two of the recently closed ShopRite stores into Market 32 locations, representing a significant expansion and extensive footprint for the chain in the Capital Region.
The mystery of who would take over the five shuttered ShopRite stores has now been solved, providing Price Chopper an exceptional opportunity to significantly expand their footprint. “Our Market 32 brand has been extremely well-received and this gives us an excellent opportunity to expand our footprint in the Capital Region,” said Blaine Bringhurst, the president of Price Chopper/Market 32.
The company is set to sublease the Slingerlands location at the Vista Technology Campus, while weighing the options for the former Central Avenue ShopRite locations in Albany and Colonie. Despite being in close proximity to existing Price Chopper stores, the company refrains from operating the gas stations at these two former ShopRite locations should they be made into new Market 32 locations.
ShopRite had been in the Capital Region market for 12 years, with mixed results due to varying store strengths. The properties were built by Columbia Development and BBL of Albany, who later sold them to out-of-town investors. The landlord of the Niskayuna location expressed excitement about the arrivals of Market 32 as an anchor for the plaza, following the exit of ShopRite.
Price Chopper/Market 32 experienced significant growth over the past decade. The chain is now part of Northeast Grocery, based in Schenectady, with a recent deal involving the divestiture of 12 stores. This includes the sale of stores in Cooperstown, Saranac Lake, and Warrensburg to C&S Wholesale Grocers, while ShopRite’s closure in the Capital Region ended its 11-year run in the local market.
A total of 567 jobs were eradicated from the Capital Region due to the recent ShopRite closures, a significant impact on the community. However, Price Chopper/Market 32’s acquisition of the former ShopRite locations presents a positive outcome for the local market.
Frank De Riso, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1, spoke on Price Chopper/Market 32’s potential decisions regarding the newly acquired buildings in Albany and Colonie. He also mentioned an ongoing organizing campaign against the company for several months, highlighting the existing unionization of Tops stores.
