Buehler’s Fresh Foods to Close Delaware, Ohio Store
WOOSTER, Ohio- January 4, 2016
Buehler Food Markets, Inc. today announced the decision to close their Delaware, Ohio store located at 800 West Central Avenue. It should be emphasized that the ACE Hardware Store will remain open, even after the supermarket closes.
“The actual date of closing will be determined over the next few weeks after consulting with our store management, employees, vendors and other tenants,” stated Dan Shanahan, President and COO of Buehler’s. “Most likely it will be mid-to-late February.” In the interim it will be business as usual with continued delivery of Buehler’s weekly ad. The supermarket does anticipate offering discounts over the next few months as they sell down inventory.
The painful decision to close came after a year of deliberating Buehler’s entire portfolio of stores. As the company continued to add stores, remodel and refresh their current base of stores, they had some hard decisions with respect to underperforming stores. Buehler’s tried a number of initiatives over the last few years at Delaware, but were at a disadvantage with only one store in a heavily overstored Delaware market.
Buehler’s extends its gratitude to the outstanding Delaware store team and their families for their years of service, understanding, and flexibility during this time of transition. 131 employees are affected by the store’s closing; 40 full-time, 23 part-time, and 68 seasonal. Eligible employees will be offered a position at other Buehler’s Fresh Foods locations. Those employees who choose not to transfer will be offered a severance package. Buehler’s will reach out to other Delaware supermarket retailers to recommend these individuals for employment.
Buehler’s Fresh Foods opened their first Delaware store in 1969, and moved to their present location at 800 West Central Avenue in 1986. E&H Family Group thanks the entire Delaware community, customers, and employees for 46 years of dedication, loyalty and support.
The ACE Hardware store, adjacent to the supermarket, will remain open. “We will continue to serve the hardware needs of the Delaware community with the friendly customer service ACE Hardware is known for,” stated Scott Buehler, President and COO E&H Hardware Group.
About E&H Family Group:
E&H Family Group is fully owned by the Buehler Family and operates fifteen Buehler’s Fresh Foods supermarkets located in Wooster (2), Orrville, Wadsworth, Medina (2), Brunswick, Ashland, New Philadelphia, Dover, Jackson Township, Delaware, Coshocton, Portage Lakes (Green) and Massillon, Ohio.
E&H Family Group also owns and operates sixteen ACE Hardware stores located in Orrville, Medina, Dover, New Philadelphia, Delaware, Jackson Township, Independence, Rocky River, Westlake, Avon Lake, Middlefield, Oberlin, Garrettsville, Hilliard, Plain Township (Canton) and Kamm’s Corner in Cleveland, Ohio.
E & H Family Group is a family owned company committed to environmentally responsible behavior, local sourcing of product and supporting the communities in which we operate. For more information visit www.buehlers.com
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