Demopolis Food World likely to close

Published 10:55 am Friday, May 1, 2009

An eleventh hour and $46 million bid by Southern Family Markets appears to have salvaged many of Bruno’s properties, but it appears the Demopolis Food World won’t reap the benefit.

The deal, which still must be approved in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, would transfer ownership of all 56 Alabama Bruno’s properties to Southern Family Markets, the retail arm of New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale, one of the nation’s biggest grocery distributors.

According to paperwork filled through the buyout process, Southern Family Markets plans to liquidate and close approximately 25 Bruno locations across the state.

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“As part of the bankruptcy proceedings, the Demopolis location was added to a list of stores planned for liquidation and closure,” someone close to the bankruptcy procedure told the Times who asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak about the transaction. “Now, once C&S takes ownership, or takes control, they can decide to keep the store open. If the sale is okayed by the courts, it’s really up to C&S at that point.”

Calls requesting comment from C&S Wholesale spokesman Brian Granger at the company’s headquarters in Keene, N.H., were not returned Friday.