Town & Country Grocers to Sell 8 Stores
Town and Country Grocers in Fredericktown has entered into an asset purchase agreement to sell its stores, according to a press release from the company.
This includes eight in this area: Country Mart stores in Bonne Terre, Ironton, Park Hills, Potosi, Farmington and Fredericktown; and Town and Country stores in Ellington and Piedmont. The new owners plan to keep these eight stores open.
The transaction of the employee-owned stores remains subject to ordinary due diligence and Town and Country shareholder approval, the release said.
Town and Country was founded by prominent Fredericktown businessman Bob Hufford, who died in 2018. He bought his first store in 1970 and grew his empire to 42 stores across Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky. In 2009, the stores were sold to the employees.
Looks like Harps Food bought them. I never did see a follow-up story with more details, but found this on the Daily Journal Online from Mar 11, 2020:
In addition to 20 grocery stores that Harps Food Stores of Arkansas announced yesterday that it would acquire, four more grocery stores owned by the family of the late Bob Hufford will be sold, this time to Town & Country Super Markets Inc. (TCSM)
According to Joe Polizzi, president and CEO of Town & Country Super Markets based in Salem, the Piedmont and Ellington Town & Country stores, the Ironton Country Mart, and the Salem, Arkansas, Town & Country, will come under the TCSM umbrella.
Who bought?
Were all of Sold stores bought by the same buyer, or were properties sold separately, different buyers?
who will own/operate the Piedmont location? Schnucks? Former T&C employees?
What changes are to be expected for employees/ shoppers? Will this effect the Deli or Pharmacy in the Piedmont location? What changes,will there be improvement expected in any of the different departments, of meat,produce,dairy, breads/baked goods, frozen section?
Will new owners try enticing shoppers with “free samples?” Or display or larger varieties, recipie ideas?