P&C and Tops

2-5-10

If it keeps its local supermarket open, Tops Friendly Markets – the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Thursday, Jan. 28, approved its purchase of 79 P&C store – may not only be the newcomer in the market:
 It is looking to be a good neighbor as well. 
“We’ll be giving to local food banks and donating our products to food drives and local area hospitals,” said Kate McKenna, Tops spokeswoman, adding the company donates $10 million annually to charity.  “We really do a lot in the community.  It’s very exciting.”
But first, the Buffalo-based full-service grocery retailer has launched a 30-day evaluation process to measure the economic viability of each store and ultimately decide whether or not the location will be profitable.  The specific date representatives from Tops will be visiting the P&C in Hartwick Seminary is not known. 
“Unfortunately, a very small handful of stores will close, but we want to operate as many as possible,” McKenna said.
According to McKenna, the signage and the look of P&C will not change for three to six months.
“We’re not going to just come in there and slap our corporate name on the place.  We want this to be a smooth and easy transition for the employees as well as for the customers.  We’ll give it three to six months after the evaluation.  That way, the community can get comfortable with Tops,” she said.