Grand Union: Not Again?

Grand Union on NY 86 in Saranac Lake in the Adirondack Mountains

Retail Regents, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 It's been five years since the merger of Tops and Price Chopper, which had led to several overlapping locations in small towns to be sold to C&S Wholesale Grocers, who revived the Grand Union name, yet this past year, old habits die hard while recent events make it difficult to operate, even in outlying rural communities with little competition since even there, some residents can have a transportation barrier, such as the over-60s, disabled, low-wage earners and others on a limited income. The Owego store was the first of the new generation to close last year, with ALDI opening nearby to boot. Now the stores in Norwich, Cooperstown, and Watertown are next. Chenango County has had no proper public transport for over a years time, so the authorities are scrambling to help those who can't get to the outskirts of town while waiting for new bus service to even occur. Baseball country also has a local place, as does Peru in Champlain Valley, trying to be Davids if the Goliaths are slain, as it were. Jefferson County has more options by comparison, yet between having something close at hand and even finding another union chain, this is happening coast to coast, and with Grand Union, you know how things happen in threes. There have even been some rumors in Cortland on Facebook, and that's the largest and nicest one I've seen of the current chain. The old guard Grand Union had dealt with the economy of that time, mismanagement, debt, administration, embezzlement and liquidation. The Enron of supermarkets! While the new ones are dealing with different challenges, it does make me want to get back to one of the few I can reach because it does worry me and these communities. There isn't much time left now.
    Tops could return to Cortland, Watertown, Rome, Warrensburg, Peru, and Saranac Lake if things take a turn for the worse all over again since these stores either have enough competition or are far enough from a Price Chopper or Market 32 now that it's been long enough since they were told to spin off, yet even the Liverpool one closed with Tops just up the road. As for Grand Union, it'll be hard to find a new chain tied to UFCW or you'll be lucky to get anything at this stage these days. Otsego County could even wind up with ALDI since it's the one place where the two don't compete. The sole non-NY store in Rutland, VT might sell to Albertsons Shaws or Star Market (feel the Bern would make sure).
It's not quite the Grand Union I grew up with, but one closure of any place is one too many. It's sad that it's come to this once more. More as this develops.

Tully's Good Times

Better AI of Fayetteville Tullys

 Tully's Good Times are known for their chicken tenders and sports display, with locations throughout Central and Western New York and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Some CNY locations were previously the Ground Round (Liverpool and possibly Fairmount), Uno's Pizzeria and Grill (Fayetteville, pictured), and Friendlys (Tullys Tenders in Oswego). The last post led me to take it further with Tullys. While two on the list have been confirmed by the chain as far as them wanting to open them, they're in the same boat as for the rest the way we do things around here. The same family also own CopperTop Tavern, which only have a few locations, while having closed Good Buddy's Pub in Fairmount up W Genesee St from that Tullys, where TJs Big Boy and IHOP used to be and is now Second Chance Diner, which in turn, moved in from Camillus, but more on that another day. In Liverpool, Tullys Tenders have been looking to build on NY 31 between CR 57 and NY 481. Microns construction may prompt that of the truncated version of the chain that is already on NY 104 after going up the previous highway. Originally from Batavia, the chain are now based in East Syracuse, and the east side location is the de facto flagship. Someone on Facebook had brought up one in the Mohawk Valley that is also in the works, akin to the one shown. As for the rest of the region, I'll just have to look around the region for other closed restaurants that can be done up as usual, or even just built from the ground up, if that. Now I must go back at least once a month for lunch now that they gave me a punch card to draw me in.

Liverpool (Clay/Bayberry) - NY 31, build from scratch (no pun intended); Tullys Tenders (confirmed)

New Hartford - CR 21, former Unos/Outback Steakhouse?; Orchard Plaza (plans confirmed for new location in that area)

Cortland - NY 281 & 222; former Eckerd/Rite Aid (since another pharmacy is unlikely)

Ithaca - NY 13, 34 & 96; former Burger King (building could be demolished since it's a state)

Oneida - NY 5; former KFC? (could be too small, so may also be replaced by original building site)

Horseheads - CR 35 & 75; Arnot Mall (I don't know Twin Tiers well enough to think of another spot)

Auburn - NY 5 & US 20; Fingerlakes Mall (even Cayuga County is tight on space along that corridor)

Advocates, Incorporated: Dine for Dollars

Fayetteville Tullys AI made from Unos

 Every month, Advocates Incorporated, a non-profit organisation that I've been involved with for the past couple years, partner with a different restaurant in Onondaga County, either a local business or the franchise of a regional or national chain, where if you mention the promotion or show it to them on your phone or tablet, the restaurant will usually match 20% of proceeds that are donated back to Advocates. They've worked with indies like King Davids, Home Run Pub and Stingers Pizza Pub; regional chains like diBellas, Tullys and Friendlys; and national ones such as Panera, IHOP, Red Robin (we've done two locations to get both sides of the county), and Texas Roadhouse (Clay, not deWitt). Tullys only want old school print, so you'd have to do it at home or work if possible, or go to the library or shipping place (I had to around the corner at the last minute after learning the hard way), yet they also do the same for our star players other cause, the local theatre company Front Row Players (last time, they were neck and neck). For me, if something doesn't get on with my stomach or budget, or is located too far for me to get to at that stage, then I just don't need to every month. We're not the Bob Geldof and Midge Ure (Band Aid) of Advocates, of course. We're just two complicated artists trying to find time for a coffee, mind (we eventually did, but that's a story for another day). Do check both NGOs' sites and socials for more information (FRP may only do this once or twice a year, and is otherwise unrelated to the monthly appeal). Is likely just tax deductible for the business, not the customer, yet it would be more relevant coming from a local place (you might know how that goes).

Special thanks Nicholas Courgi.