Two New England Supermarkets to be Leased to Hannaford
SCARBOROUGH, Maine -- Delhaize-owned Hannaford Bros., based here, will be adding its banner to two supermarkets in New Hampshire, one in New London and another in Bristol, according to published reports. The stores are being sold by the Cricenti family, which has operated Cricenti's Markets in New England since 1947.
The sale of the 38,700-square-foot New London store, to Melville, N.Y.-based real estate consulting firm DJM Asset Management, LLC, is slated to be completed in early August. DJM will then lease the store to Hannaford. The Bristol store will be leased to an independent operator who will run it under the Hannaford banner. A third Cricenti's store, in Hillsboro, N.H., which Hannaford didn't wish to lease, will continue to be run by the Cricentis until another manager can be found, DJM said.
According to a Hannaford statement, the New London store will be partially renovated, and shoppers can expect such changes as the addition of the grocer's signature natural foods and products department, Nature's Place. Also, Hannaford's premium private label brand Inspirations will be introduced on store shelves. The statement further said that the retailer might hire new employees to extend the New London location's hours of operation, but would offer current employees the opportunity to remain at the store.
"We are delighted to be adding a store in New London to the Hannaford family," noted Hannaford corporate spokeswoman Caren Epstein in the statement. "Cricenti's and Hannaford share a commitment to quality products, exceptional customer service, and community values." When contacted by Progressive Grocer, Hannaford declined to provide further information beyond that in the statement, which describes the negotiations to lease the Bristol store as "ongoing."
"Hannaford is good people," storeowner Bob Cricenti told the Concord, N.H. Monitor. "They'll run good stores."
Hannaford currently runs more than 144 supermarkets in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont. Twenty-five of its stores are in New Hampshire.
The sale of the 38,700-square-foot New London store, to Melville, N.Y.-based real estate consulting firm DJM Asset Management, LLC, is slated to be completed in early August. DJM will then lease the store to Hannaford. The Bristol store will be leased to an independent operator who will run it under the Hannaford banner. A third Cricenti's store, in Hillsboro, N.H., which Hannaford didn't wish to lease, will continue to be run by the Cricentis until another manager can be found, DJM said.
According to a Hannaford statement, the New London store will be partially renovated, and shoppers can expect such changes as the addition of the grocer's signature natural foods and products department, Nature's Place. Also, Hannaford's premium private label brand Inspirations will be introduced on store shelves. The statement further said that the retailer might hire new employees to extend the New London location's hours of operation, but would offer current employees the opportunity to remain at the store.
"We are delighted to be adding a store in New London to the Hannaford family," noted Hannaford corporate spokeswoman Caren Epstein in the statement. "Cricenti's and Hannaford share a commitment to quality products, exceptional customer service, and community values." When contacted by Progressive Grocer, Hannaford declined to provide further information beyond that in the statement, which describes the negotiations to lease the Bristol store as "ongoing."
"Hannaford is good people," storeowner Bob Cricenti told the Concord, N.H. Monitor. "They'll run good stores."
Hannaford currently runs more than 144 supermarkets in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont. Twenty-five of its stores are in New Hampshire.