Not how I was hoping to kick-off 2011. Acme has announced that the following stores will be closing in February...
Cinnaminson, NJ: One of the greats... killed off by a new ShopRite. Ironically, ShopRite is now located in the rebuilt shopping center where the Acme used to be before moving to it's current location. If you have never been to this store... you must go now! One of the most unique interiors to be seen. This store had already been scheduled to go up on Acme Style on January 14th, so if you're not familiar with it, check back a week from this Friday.
Fallston, MD: Just recently had all of it's exterior signage upgraded to the new block-letter logo. This was one of the last stores in the chain to be sporting the red oval logo. The interior is the Convenience Store Decor with left-over 80's checkerboard flooring. The Fallston Acme would be facing impossible competition from a new Walmart and Wegmans being built just up the road.
Limerick, PA: This is one of those "crash and burn" stores of recent history. Opened big in 2007 but sales began falling off immediately. Giant and Target right next door. The Collegeville Acme was closed in 2009 partially in hopes of driving Acme shoppers to the new Limerick store. Didn't work.
Millville, NJ: Brand new ShopRite just next door. There was a Pathmark right across the street but was closed in October. Guess everyone just switched to ShopRite. The Millville store opened in 2005 as a replacement to an old "Colonial Cottage" model.
Moorestown, NJ: Somewhat of a "crash and burn" store. It has managed to hang on since opening in 2002. One of the first stores to arrive in a brand-new shopping center on the outskirts of town. Probably would have done well if Wegmans and Target didn't open in the same shopping center. This was a replacement store to the old "downtown" Moorestown store. For Acme Style coverage of the Moorestown stores, please click here.
Wayne, PA: Recentely featured on Acme Style. Rumored to be closing for years now. The lease is up in March. The landlord has long been planning for Acme to leave the building. For Acme Style coverage of the Wayne location, click here.
As mentioned above, Cinnaminson will be posted on Friday, January 14. Fallston and Limerick will be coming soon. Millville may not make to the blog. I currently don't have pictures of that store and wasn't able to make it there on my last trip to South Jersey. If anyone down in that area would like to cover that store for us, please let me know. Also interested in interior shots of Fallston. I have plenty of exterior shots but only one interior picture.
UPDATES 1.7.11: Word is some of these closed Acmes are being converted to SuperValu's Save-a-lot banner. Cinnaminson is among them. The Wayne store will be broken up into multiple stores. Panera and Chipotle are set to move it. As suspected, the Wayne closing has indeed been in the works for years now. The original plan was to close the store after the nearby Bryn Mawr store was demolished and rebuilt. After delaying that project for years, it is now set to happen this year. Other good news... there are alot of locations out there currently undergoing remodels with the latest version of the "Premium Fresh and Healthy" decor.
Please note: Acme Style does not report store closings until they are announced publicly.
Wow, I wasn't expecting them to close so many stores. Not a good way to start of the year.
ReplyDeletei am so upset...i work at the cinnaminston store and do not know what they will end up doing with me...i love my co-workers and regular customers...and such a like you said original store...why? it's only the contiuation...willingboro, morrisville, little maple shade, lenola road, burlington are all going to be next. how these lower volume stores can stay open but close a beautiful store who does more business beats me. but what beats me is what will happen to my livelihood and job now.
ReplyDeleteI have a picture of the Millville store on my Flickr page:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/nintendo85/3189324050/
Well, they still have a store in nearby Vineland.
I just can't believe they're closing SIX stores! Someone needs to save this company...
It is a bit of a mystery why Cinnaminson is on the list. Despite losing a massive amount of volume to the new ShopRite, it still beats many Acmes that will remain open. Perhaps the lease is up soon which is often the reason for Acme closing a store whose sales have fallen significantly. Wayne has been rumored to close for years now but Acme has held off until the lease was up. Cinnaminson is also a large store and may no longer be making a significant profit.
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate that Acme is closing six stores, but things could be worse. At least they're not in as bad shape as A&P/Pathmark.
Every ACME out there is one ShopRite away from going out of business. It's pretty clear with the closing of Cinnaminson and Millville that they have NO intention of trying to compete with ShopRite. ShopRite must be LOVING THIS NEWS! ACME's got 5, maybe 10 years left. If ShopRite doesn't finish them off then Giant and Wegmans will.
ReplyDeleteShoprite's always been a store not to mess with, but now they're in juggernaut mode, rolling over marginal operators like A&P and Supervalu left and right.
ReplyDeleteWegmans also seems to have played a major role in many of the closings, and closings of the past.
ReplyDeleteThe fact is, Acme is NOT price competitive, nor do they offer anything special over another grocery store. Wegmans does both of those. Shop Rite has great "loss-leader" sales that get people in. Giant has low prices and a large selection of products.
I'm kind of surprised there are not more PA closings on the list.
Speaking of Giant, I wouldn't be surprised if they decide to move into NJ in the next few years. They're non-union though, but then again, so is Wal-Mart. I've never been in a Giant and I'm curious to see what their selection is like.
ReplyDeletethe cinnaminson acme is owned, and actually LEASES out spaces. rumor has it they are turning it into a "Save-A-Lot" and they wanted that store because it's attractive and the whole shopping center is being renovated...it will include a sonic, new chinese buffet, and someone has bought out the closed down vanity fair... think they seen a lot of potential with the building beings there is a lot of available space and it's paid off. just not for acme, of course.
ReplyDeleteI work for ACME in Willingboro, and I was told that ACME does not own that land. I could be wrong. We have heard alot of rumors of what is to come. Time will tell. It would not surprise me if the company that owns ACME (Supervalu) doesn't close all the ACME's over time and turn us all into Save-a-lots.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Acme!
ReplyDeleteWhen you're five days into the new year and a half dozen stores are closed with no signs of new stores being opened, you certainly can't expect much good to come in the coming months. While I'm not an advocate of operating locations that are losing money, I do have to agree with others that have posted about the Shoprites, Wegmans, Targets and Walmarts entering into Acme territories. What is Acme going to do? Close every single store when competition shows up? Since SuperValu is a huge company, I'm not quite sure why prices can't be made more competitive and even if they can't be brought down as low as the competition, the company is going to need to find a new approach to keeping customers. Shoprite has the cost-conscious part of the market covered so maybe it's time to go to the other extreme and follow Kings' lead? That would probably mean a lot more store closings but I think it would also open the door to other areas where Acme currently has no business operating stores.
But what do I know? All I see are stores disappearing with no signs of future expansion in sight, thus leading to an erosion of market share that is only going to become worse.
Five Shaws stores are getting the ax also. They are in Mass. and Rhode Island. Probably some Albertsons stores out west are getting whacked too. SVU dribbles the news out by banner without a corporate press release.
ReplyDeleteSupervalu's purchase of Albertsons has been an unmititgated diaster. Of course, Albertosns itself was flailing why was why it went up for sale back in 2006.
^ Supervalu's purchase of Alberstons kind of reminds me why A&P brought Pathmark? I'll tell you, had they not brought that chain, A&P would not be in the shape they are in right now. Acquiring a struggling chain is almost never good for the long-term IMO.
ReplyDeletethe choices given to cinnaminson and moorestown are all locations far away from everyone. and only four: newtown, pa. morrisville, pa. glassboro, nj. and levittown, nj. that signals to me they did this because people will quit, which is their goal. they didn't offer any locations within the proximity. mark my words, the goal is to be no more acmes. wonder what stores will be in the next round.
ReplyDeletelevittown, pa* typo sorry.
ReplyDeleteBy Michelle Karas mkaras@pottsmerc.com
ReplyDeleteLIMERICK — ACME Markets have announced that they will be closing the 31 W. Ridge Pike store in the Limerick Crossing shopping center by the end of February.
The store’s pharmacy is set to close Jan. 18, according to a press release.
The ACME at 700 W. Lancaster Ave. (Route 30 ) in Wayne is also set for closure.
When asked how many employees will be affected by the Limerick store closing, ACME spokesman Steve E. Sylven said, “We are not disclosing the number of associates affected.”
He noted that “associates whose positions are eliminated will be encouraged to apply for vacancies in area stores” and “when possible, the company will move affected associates to other positions.”
The in-store Citizens Bank branch will also be closing, according to Sylvia Bronner, a spokeswoman for Citizens Bank. Bronner said Citizens Bank was made aware on Monday of the decision to close the Limerick ACME store.
“We’re working to re-employ all of our colleagues who are working in that branch,” Bronner said. “We are also working to keep customers informed that we will continue to operate with normal hours” in the meantime.
Bronner said the closing date of the in-store Citizens Bank branch at ACME is contingent on ACME’s plans. She noted that Citizens Bank customers also have the option of banking at a nearby branch location at 429 W. Ridge Pike, Limerick.
Sylven noted that ACME is “working to sublease the property going forward.” The terms of the current Limerick building’s lease were not disclosed.
A call to Berwyn-based Brandolini Companies, which manages the 121,875-square-foot Limerick Crossing shopping center, regarding the closing of anchor tenant ACME, was not returned. The shopping center opened in spring 2007.
As for the reason for the area store closures, ACME offered this in a prepared statement:
“ACME strives to ensure the success of all its stores. However, it is occasionally necessary to close those that are not meeting company goals in today’s competitive and difficult economic environment. While the decision to close a store is difficult — given the impact on associates and customers — ACME has a responsibility to do what is best for the long-term growth and success of the company as a whole.”
The statement continued: “ACME would like to thank customers and associates of the Limerick store and remind them that the ACME location at 2761 West Ridge Pike in Norristown, PA is ready to serve them with the same great prices, selection and service they’ve come to expect.”
An employee of the Limerick ACME store, who wished to remain unnamed, said the closing date is set for Saturday, Feb. 26.
ACME closed its Collegeville, West Chester and Ambler stores as well as one in Newton, N.J., in February 2009.
Founded in Philadelphia in 1891, ACME operates 125 supermarkets in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The company is owned by Minneapolis-based SuperValu.
To the guy who thinks Giant is moving into NJ:
ReplyDeleteBzzt. Ahold already tried South Jersey with the other Giant AS WELL as Stop & Shop with pretty bad results, and they seem to want to keep Giant PA and Giant MD/Stop & Shop very separate. They ended up selling a lot of their SNJ stores to Shoprite.
It's a shame though as Giant PA seems to know how to compete better with Shoprite than the Giant/Stop & Shop division.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/business_breaking/20110105_Acme_to_shutter_five_Phila__area_stores.html
ReplyDeleteI just read that Limerick opened two years AFTER Giant and Target (right next door!). What was Acme thinking???
ReplyDeleteI believe it was only six months to a year after the Target and Giant; I remember seeing them during their grand openings in fall 2006, and the Acme was no later than mid 2007. The Rite Aid also opened around that time, which led to the closing of the Eckerd down the street in early 2008 (although now there's a Walgreens across Rt. 422, making five pharmacies at one intersection including Acme).
ReplyDeleteWell, I have to send some (plenty) blame to Queen Judy.(Spires) Her hubby was a BIG WIG at ShopRite for many years, so what the Queen knew, ShopRite knew. I can't even recall how many Acme's were remodeled only to close and have ShopRite move in.(thanks for the free remodel) Lets face it, look at all the great companies from the past...Lit Brothers, Strawbridges, Woolworth's Robinson and Crawford (Acme) and many others. Once one or two generations have passed, and portions of the company are are sold off, and Madoff types are hired....they ruin the good name and the company by listening to big mouth promises. And as far as SuperValu, all they want is to sell product to their independant retailers. No over-head, no union, no benefits and so on. God Bless American Stores Co. Rest In Peace Acme.
ReplyDeleteI was the one who contributed the Fallston pictures - if my darn flash hadn't gone off inside the store, I'd have more interior shots. I will try to get back down there before it closes, which is sometime at the end of next month. I know the fairly new store manager really well (he was an assistant at Elkton for the longest time before being promoted).
ReplyDeleteHere's an article:
http://www.exploreharford.com/news/7457/fallston-shopping-center-acme-closing-its-last-store-harford/
A little over 30 years, and the look of the shopping center is right out of the 70's. Ugly.
One of the problems is that the store is hard as hell to get in and out of, if you're making left turns. It sits right at the corner of a very busy intersection - MD 152 & US 1. The Wal-Mart is a little further north on US 1, and they are putting in signalized intersections (you can see the store under construction at google maps).
A lot of employees took the buyout offered by Supervalu to Local 27 Acme employees a few months ago, because they saw the writing on the wall.
The Wal-Mart is due to open in March (delayed from January), and will be 140k sqft (expanded grocery) with a 60k or so sqft addition (supercenter) already drawn up for the future.
Bel Air is just a few minutes away, and Klein's (former Supervalu customer) Shop-Rites do a ton of business. They have six stores total, five in Harford County, one in Baltimore county. They are crushing their competition, because they were known before for their superior customer service and friendly employees, now they've got the Shop-Rite pricing behind them as well.
Giant has two stores, down from three (they closed their main Bel Air store, which is rumored to become a Whole Foods). There was even a Super Fresh, which steadily lost business as other stores were built in the area, and they failed to react - the store looked decrepit inside. The space is currently being renovated, but for what, nobody knows. Directly behind the old Super Fresh is a very busy Target. Weis has two stores (one a former Martin's that was divested when Ahold bought Giant-Landover), and Redner's took over a building that was supposed to be a Martin's, but never opened. It sat empty for over ten years.
The Wegmans coming to town will change the whole game. The small Weis nearby will probably close, and the Giant nearby will take a big hit (it's currently the #4 store in the chain). That's still a ways off, though. Currently, the state is building a separated grade intersection at MD 24 and MD 924 to handle all the current traffic, plus future traffic. Oh, and on the other side of that intersection, you've got a Wal-Mart, and a huge Target that doesn't really do a lot of business, plus a BJ's Wholesale Club.
I work in one of the 6 that are set to close. It is sad how this company NEVER addressed their pricing image. They felt as though great customer service will bring the customers in. They were wrong! Now the associates are being punished for their failure offering relocation stores that are in another state with the hopes we will all go away forever.
ReplyDeleteThe Limerick Acme opened 6 months after Target and Giant, not 2 years. Also, Target's grocery selection is minimal, so I do not believe that people would say "I'd rather grocery shop at Target than Acme."
ReplyDeleteDo you know if any stores are getting remodels that are older than 1990?
ReplyDeleteThe pitched-roof Trolley Square store in Delaware recently had the Premium Fresh and Healthy remodel. Narbeth PA remodel done recently as well... very small old store. Bill Haines sent in the tips on both of these stores. I'm hoping to visit Narbeth soon. Bill sent in pictures of Trolley Square which will go up on the blog soon.
ReplyDelete*Correction- Moorestown NJ Acme opened March 2003 not 2002. Soon, Moorestown (once voted-best town to live) Will hold 2 abandoned Acme buildings.
ReplyDeletewell dan sanders and maybe he is not to blame since his control might be limited, but supervalu will have a serious wakeup call...enough HAS been enough. we will tell every customer, friend, family, DO NOT shop ACME. they want to keep closing stores and use scare tactics on employees and ruin livelihoods they are no longer our "friendly neighborhood supermarket" and won't be!
ReplyDeletei personally think (and without a business degree) if a store is not "meeting" expectations as they say; evaluate and conquer. store by store. moorestown has a wegmans across the street, see what they offer that acme does not that would appeal to customers, and just offer it a little cheaper (Even if it's just 20 cents), lower prices on all STAPLE items like breads, milk, canned goods, frozen foods...offer more services, as in have a bagger at all times at every register to assist a customer...just MATCH or slightly lower prices on things people buy the most of, and GM can remain a little higher...because that stuff is always higher in a grocery store anyway. it doesn't take a business degree! put a huge banner on the damn store that's 20 feet wide or whatever saying "WE WILL MATCH OR BEAT OUR COMPETITORS!" to attract people to inquire in, and keep the word to it, and people will come, and the salaries or costs of associates will balance out once the income increases...i see some income better as NO income and/or just losing income.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised that the Maple Shade store survived and they closed Cinnaminson! The Maple Shade store is nasty and trashy! I only go there for emergency stuff and I only live a mile from it. The store makes me want a bath when I come out! If they leave it open I hope they upgrade, YUCK!
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in CA Albertson's (same company different name)was losing the battle of the price war t Sav Mart...guess they can't learn that in this economy people are looking for decent prices not 10 for 10 on stuff you only want 2 or 3 of!
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ReplyDeleteThere was a BIG meeting with President: Dan Sanders and store management; which was followed by TRIP in see Craig Heckert (Ceo, Supervalu) Does ANY ONE KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON... ARE MORE STORE's CLOSING... or Acme being sold, or they closing ALL STORES????
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete6 more stores are closing by the end of february,a total of 13 by years end
ReplyDeletecinnaminson is slated to be the first "super" save a lot in the area
ReplyDeleteI WILL BE SUPRISED IF THE CINNAMINSON ACME MAKES IT TIL' THE CLOSING DATE. THAY ARE SENDING PALLETS OF GROCERY TO OTHER STORES AS WE SPEAK. NOBODY HAS BEEN TOLS WHERE THEY ARE GOING EXCEPT FOR THE DEPT. HEADS. SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO PLACE ANYBODY.EVERY STORE IS MAXED OUT ON HOURS.
ReplyDeleteTHIS WHOLE CLOSING CRAP WAS NOT THOUGHT OUT,IT IS OBVIOUS THEY WANT PEOPLE TO QUIT OR RETIRE. THAT IS WHY THEY ONLY OFFERED THOSE 4 STORES FOR US TO TRANSFER TO.
ReplyDeleteI WAS RAISED ON MY FATHERS ACME SALARY.THESE DAYS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO THE SAME .I HAVE WORKED FOR ACME AND STILL HAVE FAMILY WHO IS WORKING THERE.THE PEOPLE WHO MADE ACME STRONG ARE LONG GONE!THE OTTINGERS AND BONDS OF THE DAY MUST BE ROLLING IN THEIR GRAVES AT THE DISRESPECT THIS NEW REGEIM IS GIVING THEIR EMPLOYEES !
ReplyDeleteonce you start seeing a lot of management present on a daily basis or near it (esp when it only used to just be a few times a month the dm would stop in and occasionally some other people)you know your days are numbered...it's never a good sign. this is the world of corporate america, walmart supposably used to be a decent company when sam walton ran it...till he passed...he'd probably roll over in his grave if he seen how they treat their employees now too...but to all the people complaining...get out of retail! go to school for a career in demand, or find a talent you can put to good use...everyone sitting around (yes, understandably reasons to be anxious and upset) complaining, get on the ball and figure it out...we all know it's hard because for most of us affected this is all most people know...let's take back america, become better people and show it off...because you don't want to give them what they want, rub it in their faces once you rise to your top. acme isn't the only company this has happened to in this and the last century!
ReplyDeleteit is hard to stay posotive and rise up when they transfer you an hour away from home !Going back to school is a good option !
ReplyDeletewell to one of the anonymous posters we have not seen another "six" locations close. what i am more p'd about is THE UNION HAS DONE NOTHING FOR US, OR HAS THE COMPANY. are they intermingling?
ReplyDeletetrust me when i tell you, it is a sign of the times especially when the union people that we just gave 10% raises to, shop in Wegmans, the last time i checked they are NON union.....Thanks alot M A O you know who you are
ReplyDeleteThe ShopRite I currently work at did $350,000 the day before our last snow storm. The Acme I use to work at does that for an avg week ! No way they can compete with a ShopRite.
ReplyDelete