Stop & Shop won’t take over the King Kullen stores, the companies announced Wednesday, citing “significant and unforeseen changes” brought about by the Covid-19 epidemic. They had announced the agreement in December 2018.
“Both companies have put forth an incredible amount of effort to work through unanticipated challenges that have arisen, and we regret that we’re not able to move forward. King Kullen has a strong legacy on the island, and we wish them continued success,” said Gordon Reid, president of Stop & Shop. “Stop & Shop remains committed to the Long Island community, to serving our customers in the market well, and to investing in our associates and our stores in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.”
Brian Cullen, co-president of King Kullen, stated, “We look forward to continuing to focus on what we do best — serving our great customers across Long Island and supporting our hard-working store associates. We are enthusiastic about the future and well-positioned to serve Nassau and Suffolk Counties for many years to come. In short, we are here for the long term.”
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC is an Ahold Delhaize USA Company and employs nearly 60,000 people and operates over 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit stopandshop.com.
Headquartered in Bethpage, King Kullen is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution as America’s first supermarket. Founded in 1930 by Michael J. Cullen, King Kullen is a family-owned and unionized business operating 29 supermarkets and five Wild by Nature stores on Long Island. More information on King Kullen is available by visiting www.KingKullen.com.