Tops Friendly Markets to close Erie store while expanding others

Tops Friendly Markets announced Monday it will close one of its stores in Erie as it plans to renovate and expand five other store locations in and around Erie County.

The company will close its store at 1520 W. 26th St. when the store's lease expires this summer. The store and fuel station will cease operations on June 23 at 6 p.m., according to a news release from Tops.

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The decision comes as Tops plans to invest more than $6 million into two other stores in Erie, and ones in Waterford, Union City and Meadville.

Enhancements will include a new fuel station at the Tops store at 712 W. 38th St. in Erie, and new beer and wine options to the store at 1702 E. 38th St. in Erie.

"Closing a store is always a difficult decision," said Ron Ferri, executive vice president of operations and distribution for Tops Markets, in the release. "The expiration of the lease combined with the proximity of other Tops locations as well as the new amenities we’ll now be able to add at those locations all factored into the decision. We are offering all affected associates positions at nearby stores."

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Renovations at the other stores will include new exterior paint, enhanced facades and landscaping, new décor, energy-efficient lighting and upgraded self-checkouts, the release stated.

Other renovations include expanded fresh food areas with more local and organic selections; bakeries with larger selections of custom cakes and pastries; and delis and carry-out café areas with more on-the-go items and affordable restaurant-style options, the release continued.

Renovations at the two Erie locations along with the store at 230 S. High Street in Waterford are scheduled to be finished in the coming weeks, with a re-opening date of June 25. The Union City and Meadville locations will see renovations conclude in late summer or early fall, according to the release.

A.J. Rao can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @ETNRao.