Vernon Stop & Shops Escape Closure List

VERNON, CT — Both Vernon stores have escaped the chopping block amid an announcement that five Connecticut Stop & Shop stores have been designated for closure.

The supermarket chain Friday announced the next steps in its plans to "position the company for growth," which actually means shuttering 32 "underperforming" stores by the fall.

Following the closures, Stop & Shop will have 350-plus stores across its five-state footprint.

Stop & Shop staff members will be offered "other opportunities" within the company, according to the announcement.

"Stop & Shop is proud of the deep roots and community ties we have developed as a neighborhood grocer of more than 100 years, and we remain committed to nourishing our associates, customers and communities," Stop & Shop Presient Gordon Reid said. "As we announced in May, Stop & Shop has evaluated its overall store portfolio and made the difficult decision to close underperforming stores to create a healthy base for the future growth of our brand.”

The 32 impacted store locations are anticipated to close on or before Nov. 2, according to the announcement.

Connecticut locations are:

• 100 Division St., Ansonia
• 211 High St., Torrington (931 Torringford St., Torrington will remain open)
• 1937 West Main St., Stamford (2200 Bedford St., Stamford will remain open)
• 855 Bridgeport Ave., Milford (1360 East Town Road, Milford will remain open)
• 72 Newtown Road, Danbury (44 Lake Avenue Ext., Danbury will remain open)

Vernon has stores at 50 Windsorville Road and at 10 Pitkin St.

"Our associates are a strong community dedicated to growing and working together, and all of our store associates will continue to have a place in the Stop & Shop family as we look forward to serving customers at other nearby locations," Reid said.

Stop & Shop will communicate specific store closing dates to local customers "well in advance," according to the announcement.

"Stop & Shop is focused on growing through large, multi-year price investments and a stronger customer value proposition, both in-store and online. This means we’ll be focused on delivering lower everyday prices, as well as even more savings for our customers through strong promotions," Reid said. "Since 2018, we have completed more than 190 store remodels, with the customer shopping experience in mind. These stores are outperforming other Stop & Shop stores that haven’t been remodeled. We're taking these learnings and implementing them at other stores as we build upon our strong foundation, similar to our new Boston flagship location, opened last month in the Allston Yards development. We look forward to continuing to serve and care for our communities and to grow Stop & Shop as a local brand for many years to come."

After the store closures are complete, Stop & Shop's more than 350 locations will include 81 stores in Connecticut, 115 in Massachusetts, 47 in New Jersey, 91 in New York and 25 in Rhode Island.