Acme Parent Company Buys Safeway for $9 Billion

Acme Markets’ corporate parent, the Albertsons grocery-store chain, on Thursday purchased Safeway Inc., for about $9 billion.

Albertsons is controlled by an investor group led by Cerberus, a New York-based private-equity firm. Other investors included Philadelphia-based Lubert-Adler Partners, Kimco Realty Corp., Klaff Realty L.P., and Schottenstein Real Estate Group.

With the purchase of Safeway, the group will now control about 2,400 grocery stores, making it one of the largest chains in the country.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20140307_Acme_parent_company_buys_Albertsons_for__9B.html#yfZ07Jksrr6jsbWd.99

Known For Its Beer, Yuengling Brings Back Its … Ice Cream

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Schuylkill County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

People have been screaming for the ice cream, and Yuengling‘s Ice Cream listened.

On Thursday, the ice cream with the same name as the Pottsville-based brewery began its first run of batches after a 29-year hiatus. The company, based in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, originally intended to start production in March, but it moved up the date in response to strong demand from retailers that wanted to get it on shelves sooner.

“I think we have one of the most popular nonexistent products on the market,” said David Yuengling, 51, president of the company and second cousin of brewery owner Dick Yuengling.

The 1-quart containers of Yuengling’s Ice Cream are being produced at Leiby’s Dairy Inc. in Tamaqua, Schuylkill County, and they are expected to be on shelves by mid-Feburary at Weis Markets, Acme Markets and select independent grocery stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia and Virginia.

Read more: http://www.ydr.com/business/ci_24933307/known-its-beer-yuengling-brings-back-its-ice

Will Buyers Keep, Sell Or Shut Your Acme?

Ailing Acme Markets, one of the Philadelphia area’s largest employers with more than 13,000 local workers at more than 100 supermarkets, will be taken over by a group of private equity firms and real estate investors, its owners said this morning.

Supervalu Inc. “announced today a definitive agreement under which it will sell its Albertsons, Acme, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s and Star Market stores and related Osco and Sav-on in-store pharmacies” for $100 million in cash plus the assumption of $3.2 billion in debt.  The sellers hope to close the sale later this winter.  The deal covers 877 stores including the Acmes.

Buyers are a group led by former Chrysler owner Cerberus Capital Management LP and including Kimco Realty Corporation, Klaff Realty LP, Philadelphia-based Lubert-Adler Partners and Schottenstein Real Estate Group.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-phillydeals/Acme-Markets-sold.html#ixzz2Hdg8wx9g
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The 12 Worst Supermarkets In America

Editor’s note: If you live in Pennsylvania, you will see many familiar names!  Fortunately, I don’t shop at any of these stores 🙂

Not all supermarkets are created equal.  For many Americans, stopping by a chain supermarket has become a major chore, involving long lines, rude employees, unsanitary conditions and poor selection.  Consumer Reports recently conducted a survey of more than 24,000 shoppers to rank the best and worst out of 52 grocery store chains – and the results show just how disappointing customer experience can be at some megastores.

Read more:  http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Media/Slideshow/2012/04/13/12-Worst-Supermarkets-in-America.aspx

Limerick Acme To Close In February

Acme closed their Collegeville Shopping Center store and moved it to 31 W. Ridge Pike, next to the new Court At Upper Providence Shopping Center, a few years ago.  Now it would seem the “new store” is under performing due to competition from Giant, Target and Wegman’s and will close by the end of February.

With the departure of Acme from Ridge Pike, the closest Acme stores within a 20 mile radius of zip code 19468 are Phoenixville, Norristown, Lansdale and King of Prussia.

The Wayne Acme is also on the chopping block along with three stores in New Jersey and one in Maryland.

Another big empty building!  Ironically, the old store in Collegeville was doing much better!  Just proves the grass is not always greener!