A ‘Grand' finale?

A niche market may replace local supermarket, By Linda Fields MILFORD — Local residents who shop at the Grand Union supermarket on West Harford Street know by now that a change is underway. Many shelves have been emptied in the last week and rumors have been flying about the store being sold. Although parent company, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc. refuses to confirm the speculation, telling The Courier, “We do not have a comment at this time,” employees have been given applications to apply for their jobs with the new owner. (They were told this was merely “a formality.”) The word is that the new owner has a connection to Key Foods, but the store will not operate under that name. Instead, the new store will be in part a specialty store and serve a niche, focusing more on perishable foods like fresh meat, frozen foods, produce and dairy and less on dry packaged foods or drug store items likely to be purchased in a big box store. A concern to some employees is the ability to continue the long-held tradition at Grand Union to give back to the community. For example, the supermarket holds an antique auto show in the parking lot every year as a way to raise money for a child in need. The employees were reassured that the new owner will be community-minded and continue that and other fundraisers. We have been told the changeover may be complete by the time this newspaper goes to print. As for the new name - “Milford Farms” has been mentioned, but with township ordinances in place for sign changes, it is likely that the Grand Union name won’t disappear from the building any time soon.