Giant Eagle to Exit Toledo Market

TOLEDO, Ohio -- As Giant Eagle Inc. prepares to enter the Indianapolis retail scene, the Pittsburgh-based grocery and convenience store retailer announced it will exit the Toledo market.

The 218-store regional chain will close both of its Toledo stores on May 3, the Toledo Blade reported, noting that Giant Eagle “never seemed to gain a solid foothold in the crowded marketing territory."

Giant Eagle entered Toledo in 2001, with a store in Rossford at the Crossroads Centre, followed two years later by a second store on West Central Ave. in Sylvania Township.

“It definitely is going to be a hit to our community,” Sylvania Township Trustee John Jennewine told the newspaper. “They were very strong supporters of the community, and very involved. We’re going to be sad to see them go.”

The two stores’ 179 workers, most of whom are part-time employees, will be provided with “a fair and equitable severance package,” according to the company.

“Our decision to close these locations was made only after careful consideration, particularly given the impact on our team members and customers, and after significant efforts to differentiate these stores in the marketplace,” stated Giant Eagle spokesman Dan Donovan.

Meanwhile, Giant Eagle has its sights set on the Indianapolis market, where it will open a GetGo convenience restaurant and fuel station along with a Market District grocery store in The Bridges development in Carmel, Ind., in 2015.