Sponsored By

Darrenkamp’s to close its doors

Longtime Pennsylvania grocer to sell store to Giant Food

Russell Redman

September 5, 2018

3 Min Read
Supermarket News logo in a gray background | Supermarket News

Pennsylvania grocer Darrenkamp’s is closing down after 86 years in business and has agreed to sell one of its four locations to Giant Food Stores LLC.

The family-owned supermarket retailer said Tuesday evening that it has begun the liquidation process and plans to shut all of its stores — in Lancaster, Elizabethtown, Etters and Mount Joy, Pa. — by early November.

Darrenkamp’s said it will close the Elizabethtown, Etters and Mount Joy in a phased approach and will notify customers at a later date.

Carlisle, Pa.-based Giant, part of Ahold Delhaize USA, is buying the Lancaster store at 106 Willow Valley Square, where Darrenkamp’s also has its corporate headquarters. Once the transaction is completed, Giant will close the store and remodel the location under its banner.

Joe_Darrenkamp_of_Darrenkamps_Nicholas_Bertram_of_Giant_Food_Stores_0.pngJoe Darrenkamp of Darrenkamps and Nicholas Bertram of Giant Food Stores.

“Our family has been in the grocery industry for 86 years, and it’s tough saying goodbye,” Joe Darrenkamp, president of Darrenkamp’s, said in a statement. “We extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our customers, employees and supporters. It’s been an honor for our family to serve Lancaster and the surrounding communities for so many decades.”

Darrenkamp’s was founded in 1932, when George Darrenkamp — whose father, Henry, had sold produce door to door — opened a general store in the front room of his home at 719 Union St. in Lancaster. His sons Dick and Jerry later joined the growing family business, and in 1948 the father-and-sons team built a 3,000-square-foot market at 713 Union St. in Lancaster and changed the company’s name to G. Darrenkamp & Sons.

Related:Giant Food pushes ahead with eatery, e-commerce efforts

Of Darrenkamp’s current locations, the Mount Joy store was opened in 1997 and expanded from 35,000 to 45,000 square feet in 2003. The grocer acquired Willow Valley Market in Lancaster in 1998 and later expanded the store from 30,000 to 50,000 square feet. Darrenkamp’s closed its original Union Street store in Lancaster in 1999. The chain’s third store, a 44,100-square-foot unit, opened in 2007 in Elizabethtown. And in 2014, the company ventured outside Lancaster County to open its fourth location, a 38,500-square-foot store in York County at Newberry Commons in Etters.

“This was a very difficult decision because we will miss serving our neighbors and because of our long history serving the Lancaster community for so many years,” co-owner Dave Darrenkamp commented about the company’s closing. “Knowing how this affects our customers and employees made the decision even tougher.”

Giant, with 171 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, operates eight stores and has about 1,300 employees in Lancaster County. Associates at all Darrenkamp’s stores can interview for comparable positions at Giant locations, including the Willow Valley store being acquired, the companies said.

“Giant is pleased with this opportunity to open a grocery store at this Darrenkamp’s location and continue to serve the grocery needs of Darrenkamp’s longstanding customers,” stated Giant President Nicholas Bertram. “We are thrilled to continue our renewed commitment to the greater Lancaster market and our relentless focus on growth.”

In June, Giant unveiled a $22 million investment plan for Lancaster County, including a 38,000-square-foot e-commerce hub at its former North Reservoir Street location, four store remodels, a price-cut program and a new fuel station at its Lititz store. The e-commerce hub will serve as a grocery delivery center and curbside pickup site.

The Lancaster investment builds on a $70 million plan, announced by Giant in April, to expand its store network across Pennsylvania. The initiative includes six new stores, two store remodels and four new fuel stations over the next two years.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like