TOPS MARKETS 'HERE TO STAY'

The grocery store chain that took over 3,000 employees and 55 stores when Penn Traffic Co., Syracuse, went bankrupt officially reopened 20 New York stores Wednesday with local celebrations.

"Just in case there's any doubt, we are here to stay," Frank Curci, Tops Friendly Markets president and chief executive officer, told the crowd at a ceremony for the Pamelia store at 22050 Seaway Shopping Center on Route 11.

Stores in Lowville and Pulaski also held reopening celebrations.

"Our customers have high expectations for usand those expectations we're ready to meet," Mr. Curci said. "We plan to enrich the community by giving back with significant and long-lasting contributions. We will use local vendors, growers and agencies."

Tops, Buffalo, bought Penn Traffic's 79 P&C Foods stores for $85 million during U.S. Bankruptcy Court proceedings in late January. After making the purchase, Tops agreed in March to sell P&C stores in Canton, Potsdam, Massena, Gouverneur and West Carthage to Price Chopper.

Tops retained ownership of stores in Ogdensburg, Watertown, Lowville and Pulaski, although the Ogdensburg store was one of 24 that closed.

At the Seaway Shopping Plaza store, Tops has added employees as the store's business has grown.

"We were very happy to keep all the people employed," Mr. Curci said. "The number of team members has gone up since we added the store and we expect to continue to do that."

At a grand opening ceremony earlier in Lowville, store manager Scott Hanson commended his employees for handling months of uncertainty over the store's future and Tops for investing in the location.

"They changed the inside and the outside of the building," Mr. Hanson said.

The chain is spending $90 million over three years on all of its stores to upgrade them. Much of that investment is focused on former P&C stores. Renovating the facade, exterior and interior of the Seaway store cost several hundred thousand dollars, Mr. Curci estimated.

Improvements to the stores in Pamelia, Lowville and Pulaski will continue.

"All three are really important for us and we will continue to upgrade them in the future," Mr. Curci said.

Lowville Mayor Mary E. Youngs also lauded Tops's decision to continue operations in her village. "As we all know, the heart of the community is the grocery store," she said.

State Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, attended the Lowville ceremony, even though a grand opening was being held simultaneously at the Rome store. He also used the opportunity to praise the employees.

"I think one of the greatest resources we have when we promote our area is the workers," Mr. Griffo said.

During the ceremonies, Tops announced $500 donations to eight local organizations: Lewis County General Hospital, Lowville, for breast cancer awareness, the Lowville Food Pantry, Lewis County Head Start, Friends of Lewis County Hospice, Transitional Living Services of Northern New York, Northpole Fire Department, North Elementary School and Watertown Urban Mission.

James Albanese, a veteran customer service clerk at the Lowville store, was tapped to hold the American flag during the opening ceremony.

"I love it," Mr. Albanese said afterward when asked about the change to Tops. "I'm hoping it stays for a long time. And I hope we get more businesses in Lewis County."