News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DATE:
 April 9, 2003
CONTACT: Stefanie Zakowicz
716 635 5885

   
NEW NIAGARA STREET TOPS OPENS FOR BUSINESS
New & Improved Store Adds Departments, Expands Selection

Williamsville, NY… The much-anticipated Tops Friendly Market, located at 425 Niagara Street in Buffalo, opened for business at 9 a.m. today, prefaced by a brief ribbon cutting ceremony. The new 40,000 square foot store, a franchise location owned and operated by Supermarket Management, Inc., replaces the existing building, which has proudly served Buffalo’s West Side since 1967.

"The West Side community has loyally supported our Niagara Street Tops for the past 36 years," said Philip A. Perna, President and CEO of Supermarket Management, Inc. "We are delighted to be able to provide our longtime customers with this exciting new store, which we hope will be a catalyst for the revitalization of this entire neighborhood."

The new Tops has been heralded as an inspiration for renewed economic development efforts on Niagara Street. It will employ 150 associates, including 50 new jobs created to staff the added departments.

“The presence of Tops gives the lower West Side community new hope and opportunity,” said Buffalo Mayor Anthony M. Masiello. “We see Tops as a magnet to bring people and new investment to the Niagara Street international corridor.”

"Tops Friendly Markets' investment in their Niagara Street location will help rejuvenate Buffalo's West Side neighborhood,” added Erie County Executive Joel A. Giambra. “I applaud Supermarket Management, Inc. for their commitment to one of Buffalo's hardest working neighborhoods and thanks to that commitment area residents have a state of the art supermarket to shop at in their own community."

The store features several brand-new departments, including a full-service Butcher’s Block meat department, a Cheese Shoppe and Petal Works fresh floral. Likewise, the new and improved in-store Baker's Oven bakery will provide customers a much wider variety of bakery items. The pharmacy, CarryOut Café, and in-store M&T Bank branch all contribute to a convenient, one stop shopping experience for today's time starved customers.

The new, larger store boasts an expanded ethnic and specialty foods selection, featuring Hispanic, African-American, Asian and Caribbean favorites. Customers will also find that familiar features of the old store have been upgraded and enhanced in the new location. Among those are the full-service Captain’s Choice seafood, dairy-frozen, health and beauty, general merchandise and produce departments.

In addition to the selection and convenience the new store offers, customers can take advantage of great values as well. Upon entering the store they will be greeted by the Wall of Values, featuring items from the current ad, and additional grocery and meat "Extra Value Zones" that offer attractive prices for budget-conscious shoppers.

Mayor Masiello and County Executive Giambra joined representatives from Tops and Supermarket Management in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8:30 this morning. A grand opening celebration that will include special promotions, entertainment and customer giveaways is planned for later this spring, after the old store is demolished to make room for parking.

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 159 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.

-end- Attached: Store Fact Sheet

Store Features and Amenities Tops Friendly Markets 425 Niagara Street Buffalo, NY

 Store Hours - the Niagara Street Tops will be open from 6:00 a.m. until midnight, 7 days a week.

 Pharmacy- Aside from filling prescriptions, the pharmacy features a consultation room, where customers can talk with a professional pharmacist, who can address various health questions or concerns. Tips for healthy living, including information about drugs, diseases and a good diet, will also be available. Hours: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. -6 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. -3 p.m. Sunday Closed Customers at the Niagara Street store will also be able to take advantage of Tops' Easy Fill program, which enables them to transfer prescriptions and refill orders over the phone or via the Internet.

 CarryOut Café- located adjacent to the deli, the brand-new CarryOut Café offers freshly prepared entrees, rotisserie and fried chicken pizza, made to order sub sandwiches, grilled sandwiches, soup and salads.

 Baker’s Oven full-service bakery – Offers a variety of fresh-baked breads, rolls, cakes, muffins, bagels, donuts and cookies.

 Specialty departments: Deli, Butcher’s Block and Captain’s Choice full-service meat and seafood departments, and the Cheese Shoppe.

 Petal Works Floral - A colorful assortment of fresh-cut and arranged of flowers available daily. Special arrangements are available through pre-orders.

 Other departments include: Walter’s Garden produce department. Bulk foods, Dairy/Frozen, and the health and beauty department.

 The Niagara Street Tops will include an M&T Bank Branch inside the store for added customer convenience.  The Niagara Street Tops will also offer many services and conveniences, including:  Western Union Money Orders  Western Union Wire Transfers  Utility Payments  Rug Doctor Rentals  Film Processing  New York State Lottery

 Payroll Check Cashing  Postage Stamps  Tops Gift Cards  Phone Cards  ATM  Bottle Return  Tops BonusCard offers special savings, BonusCard Rewards, BONUSPERKS, and other benefits. Customers can sign up for their BonusCard when they enter the store.

 By visiting the Tops Website at www.topsmarkets.com, Internet customers can access Tops weekly ad flyer on line, look up selected data from their BonusCard accounts and take advantage of Tops “Web Bucks” savings.

-end-

 

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