Stop & Shop closing 2 Rhode Island stores, 32 in region. Local mayors react.

Photo: from Stop & Shop first Corporate Social Responsibility Report

Stop & Shop to offer positions to all impacted associates and remains focused on growth through price investments and store remodels

Stop & Shop today announced the next steps in its plans to position the company for growth. In addition to continuing to make investments in price and the customer experience as part of its growth strategy in its markets, Stop & Shop will close 32 underperforming stores by year-end. Following the closures, Stop & Shop will continue to have a strong presence across its five-state footprint with more than 350 stores. Stop & Shop associates at impacted locations will be offered other opportunities within the company.

“Stop & Shop is proud of the deep roots and community ties we have developed as a neighborhood grocer of more than 100 years, and we remain committed to nourishing our associates, customers and communities,” said Gordon Reid, President, Stop & Shop. “As we announced in May, Stop & Shop has evaluated its overall store portfolio and made the difficult decision to close underperforming stores to create a Healthy base for the future growth of our brand.”

The stores are anticipated to close on or before Nov. 2, 2024, include:

Rhode Island

• 11 Commerce Way, Johnston
• 176 Pittman St., Providence (Eastside Marketplace)

The Johnston location is in close proximity to the popular Market Basket (1 of 3 in RI), as well as a BJs bulk purchase store.

Mayor Joseph Polisena, Jr. reacted to the news with this statement:

“As a former employee of that location, I feel for the current employees and hope they all have an opportunity to transfer to another location. With that being said, this is the free market at work.

Over the last few years Stop & Shop was known for a diminishing quality of product and charging 10¢ for paper bags. The consumer responded by frequenting other grocery store locations and this is the end result.”

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Mayor Brett Smiley, of Providence, reacted to the news of the pending closure of East Side Marketplace, an iconic market on the East Side of the city. While there is a Whole Foods a short distance away (one of 3 in RI), East Side Marketplace is a loved brand, beginning as an IGA, with special service to the Jewish community, with a wide variety of kosher-like foods and service during the holidays, including home delivery:

“Closing any supermarket, including the East Side Market in Providence, disrupts the daily lives of many, especially those who have been relying on this market for years. This closure impacts our community’s access to fresh, healthy food.

The City is committed to working with local leaders to continue supporting the well-being of our community and increasing access to healthy meals. We hope Stop and Shop will be a good partner in transitioning plans to ensure that the food security needs of their long-time customers are still met.”

UPDATE: From Stop & Shop: “We will continue to offer Stop & Shop pickup and home delivery from our nearby locations.” This service was formerly known as Peapod.

Other stores that are set to close in New England/NY/NJ:

Connecticut

• 100 Division St., Ansonia
• 211 High St., Torrington (931 Torringford St., Torrington will remain open)
• 1937 West Main St., Stamford (2200 Bedford St., Stamford will remain open)
• 855 Bridgeport Ave., Milford (1360 East Town Road, Milford will remain open)
• 72 Newtown Road, Danbury (44 Lake Avenue Ext., Danbury will remain open)

Massachusetts

• 932 North Montello St., Brockton
• 36 New State Highway, Raynham
• 341 Plymouth St., Halifax
• 539-571 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury
• 165 Needham St., Newton (bfresh Market)
• 415 Cooley St., Springfield (1600 Boston Rd. and 1277 Liberty St., Springfield will remain open)
• 545 Lincoln St. Worcester (940 West Boylston St. and 949 Grafton St., Worcester will remain open)
• 24 Mattakeesett St., Pembroke (125 Church St., Pembroke will remain open)

New Jersey

• 1083 Inman Ave., Edison
• 1049 US Highway 1 South, Edison
• 4861 US Highway 9, Howell
• 1278 US Highway 22, Phillipsburg
• 581 Stelton Rd., Piscataway
• 625 Paterson Ave., Carlstadt
• 1221 State Route 27, Franklin Township
• 130 Skyline Dr., Ringwood
• 505 Richmond Ave, Point Pleasant Beach
• 2275 West County Line Rd., Jackson

New York

• 2965 Cropsey Ave., Brooklyn
• 130 Wheatley Plaza, Greenvale
• 7 Samsondale Plaza, West Haverstraw
• 294 Middle Country Road, Coram
• 240 East Sanford Blvd., Mt. Vernon
• 132 Fulton Ave., Hempstead
• 2525 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow

“Our associates are a strong community dedicated to growing and working together, and all of our store associates will continue to have a place in the Stop & Shop family as we look forward to serving customers at other nearby locations,” added Reid.

Stop & Shop will communicate specific store closing dates to local customers well in advance of any store closures. Stop & Shop remains committed to serving its communities through other store locations, online shopping and home delivery services.

“Stop & Shop is focused on growing through large, multi-year price investments and a stronger customer value proposition, both in-store and online. This means we’ll be focused on delivering lower everyday prices, as well as even more savings for our customers through strong promotions,” added Reid. “Since 2018, we have completed more than 190 store remodels, with the customer shopping experience in mind. These stores are outperforming other Stop & Shop stores that haven’t been remodeled. We’re taking these learnings and implementing them at other stores as we build upon our strong foundation, similar to our new Boston flagship location, opened last month in the Allston Yards development. We look forward to continuing to serve and care for our communities and to grow Stop & Shop as a local brand for many years to come.”

After the store closures are complete, Stop & Shop will operate more than 350 stores spanning five states, including 81 stores in Connecticut, 115 in Massachusetts, 47 in New Jersey, 91 in New York and 25 in Rhode Island.

About Stop & Shop

A neighborhood grocer for more than 100 years, Stop & Shop is an Ahold Delhaize USA Company and employs 58,000 associates and operates nearly 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. More about Stop & Shop, visit www.stopandshop.com