Norwich Revisited

The Grand Union chronicles continue with another large CNY store previously covered as a Tops.

As we already know, this 25 year old building was built on the site of the former Victory Markets headquarters, which expains the store being well off the main roads.

But before we go in and explore the interior, we have a cart tax to pay.

Surprisingly, this store has no Bemis shopping carts, and retains its Job Lot-esque Tops fleet, with some fresh ones added in. The only carts that parted ways are the Kmart Technibilts. For the rest of the carts that remain that have not been photographed in this post, see Bouncers: The Least Worst of Tops under the Norwich header.

Now on with the store...

The amount of open space in the grand aisle and front end is quite a disturbing sight. Surely Grand Union could have done a better job of filling the floor with extra displays.

It goes without saying this is just another Tops store with Grand Union stickers slapped over all the Tops logos on the signage. Hard to say if C&S will ever give these stores a unique identity.

Now to close out the post with some memorabilia...

In larger stores like this, they actually offer larger reusable bags. These themed Grand Union bags are quite a nice touch compared to the less interesting Best Yet bags C&S has to offer.

Peru Revisited, and an update from Warrensburg

Continuing with The Adirondack Experience, we will take a look at one store previously covered as a Tops, and one we last looked at early last year.

Location: Peru, New York

In this case, Grand Union opted to keep the generic box sign Tops previously used.

Inside, we see nothing has changed at all from Tops. But there is one thing that has changed...

Cart Tax: These Bemis carts replaced the ratty refurbs Tops ordered nearly a decade ago.

And now for a change of venue...

Location: Warrensburg, New York

Much like the Rutland, VT location, the permanent Grand Union logo is stacked on a gable added to the Grand Union facade by Tops. The interior remains unchanged from last time, so let us look at something that has changed, again...

Cart Tax: These Bemis carts replaced the 2013 Technibilt 5141D and 6240 carts Tops ordered.

From the Archives: Runnings Plays Dress-Up

Our next post brings to a strange looking Runnings store in Clay, New York. All photos were taken on April 3, 2019.

This unusual specimen was originally home to Walmart #1831 from 1992 to 2014 when they moved to the former Sam's Club on Dell Center Drive. For some reason, the Vision Center pylon facade was re-done to this design, something Runnings does not usually do to the former big box stores they re-use.

From Food to Hardware - Kelley's Farm & Garden

Our next post takes us independently outside of the town of Cobleskill to a decently-sized hardware store. All photos in this set were taken on August 30, 2020.

This building was once home to a P&C Foods store. P&C closed sometime within the past 20 to 30 years. Most of the space is dedicated to farm and garden merchandise.

Piggly Wiggly's Entry to New York

Today's post takes us to a name not otherwise seen in the state of New York. The North Country awaits you...

Introducing Piggly Wiggly of Watertown, New York! This store opened on March 3, 2022 in what used to be Tops Friendly Markets #597. This was a Bonisteel-owned Big M before Tops acquired their stores in 2013.

Cart Tax: Almost all the carts here were at least carried over from Tops much like the stores converted to Grand Union. The set of ex-Commissary Technbilt #6542 carts were most likely acquired from a Great American store that closed in the past few years. Not sure if the 2009 Technibilt #6240 carts were here when Tops was here.

Fresh produce section in the front. It appears they kept the Tops decor package, even a year later. It is more than likely this is still the case for the Grand Union stores as well.

Since this store has a full grand aisle, the first aisle is reserved for water and mixers.