According to Supermarket News, Lucky’s Market has agreed to sell its remaining seven locations to co-founders Bo and Trish Sharon.
On Jan. 29, Lucky’s said that it has entered asset purchase agreements with the Sharons, two chefs who launched the Colorado-based specialty grocery chain in 2003.
This comes after the grocer announced that it would be closing 32 of its 39 stores by Feb. 12, laying off about 2,500 employees. The chain has stores in 10 states: Florida, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Ohio and Wyoming.
The stores that would continue to operate under the Sharons are in Traverse City, MI; Cleveland and Columbus, OH; Columbia, MO; Melbourne, FL; and North Boulder and Fort Collins, CO. These locations employ about 600 associates. Lucky’s said the proposed sales are subject to court approval and an overbidding process.
“We are grateful to our wonderful team members and customers for all their support, dedication and loyalty over the years,” Bo Sharon said in a statement. “While this is a difficult situation across our company, we remain passionate and optimistic that we can continue to offer our communities access to healthful foods in this smaller footprint, preserving hundreds of jobs.”
On Jan. 28, Lucky’s said it entered asset purchase agreements with Aldi and Publix Super Markets for 11 stores in Florida. The locations slated to be acquired by Aldi include five leased locations and one owned property in Coral Springs, Oakland Park, Sarasota, Vineland, Colonial Landing (Orlando) and Venice. Publix confirmed that it’s under contract to buy five leased Lucky’s stores in Clermont, Naples, Neptune Beach, Orlando and Ormond Beach.
Lucky’s reiterated that it “continues to have active dialogue with various buyers.” The company said that it expects to cease operations in the coming weeks at the 32 stores earmarked for closure and is running clearance sales for customers at those locations.
