News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DATE:
 February 13, 2003
CONTACT: Stefanie Zakowicz
716 635 5885

   
TOPS FRIENDLY MARKETS PARTNERS WITH MONTANA MILLS BREAD
Williamsville, NY… Tops Friendly Markets and Montana Mills have announced a partnership that will feature Montana Mills specialty breads and baked goods in select Tops locations. The program, set to launch on February 16th, will initially be tested in ten stores in the Buffalo and Rochester market areas.

Tops stores will carry a variety of breads and baked goods, including Montana Mills’ signature Cinnamon Swirl Bread, along with other customer favorites such as Grandma’s White, Honey Whole Wheat, Cranberry Orange and Woodstock breads. The entire selection will also include an array of muffins, granola and bread accessories. Additionally, Tops will carry Java Joe’s® gourmet coffees, conveniently merchandised together with the rest of the Montana Mills products.

“The latest trends show that our customers are interested in unique and flavorful bakery items”, said Mike Bawol, Tops’ Senior Director of Bakery. “By adding the Montana Mills line, Tops aims to meet our customers needs, and in turn be a convenient destination for specialty beads.”

“We are very excited to be working closely with Tops Friendly Markets on our ‘Off-Premises Sales Program’, said Rick Frank, Director of Marketing and New Store Development for Montana Mills. “This is an opportunity to strengthen our market share while offering a leader in food retailing an upscale product their customers are looking for. We have a strong presence in the Rochester and Buffalo markets, however, we recognize that people are busy and may not have a chance to drive to one of our bread stores. The ‘Off-Premises Sale Program’ brings the breads and baked products to them.”

Tops plans to feature the Montana Mills products year-round, expanding the selection during the holidays to include gift boxes and novelty packs.

Montana Mills, which was formed in 1996 by Gene and Suzy O'Donovan, owns and operates upscale village bread stores in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States that produce and sell a variety of baked goods and satellite cafes that sell the items baked at the Company's village bread stores. The Company's stores are located primarily in suburban areas in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Montana Mills went public in June 2002 and trades on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol MMX. January 24, 2003 Montana Mills agreed to be acquired by Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. (NYSE: KKD).

Tops Markets, LLC is one of six retail operating companies under Ahold USA, one of the leading supermarket operations in the U.S. Tops currently operates 156 Tops Friendly Markets, 205 convenience stores under the Wilson Farms, Sugarcreek and Tops Xpress banners, and 9 B-Kwik Food Markets in New York, Pennsylvania and northeast Ohio. This and other recent news releases can be found on Tops’ website at www.topsmarkets.com.

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Tops Friendly Markets /Montana Mills Pilot Stores

 390 W. Main Street Batavia, NY

 1900 Clinton Ave. South Brighton, NY

 6914 Erie Road Derby, NY

 65 Grey Street East Aurora, NY

 6720 Pittsford/Palmyra Rd Fairport, NY

 3201 Southwestern Blvd Orchard Park, NY

 500 Elm Ridge Center Dr. Rochester, NY

 1601 Penfield Road Rochester, NY

 3507 Mt. Read Blvd Rochester, NY

 355 Orchard Park Road West Seneca, NY

 

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