SCARBOROUGH, Maine — Hannaford Supermarkets has reached an agreement with Paradis Shop ’n Save to purchase supermarkets the company operates in Houlton, Caribou and Calais. The purchase of the stores is expected to be completed later this fall.
Paradis stores in Fort Kent, Madawaska and Brewer are not affected by the agreement, according to a Hannaford press release.
The Houlton and Caribou stores will become Hannaford supermarkets with full-service pharmacies, and the Paradis family will operate the Calais store until Hannaford finds an independent company to run it.
“Paradis appreciates the opportunity that we have had to serve these communities but the time for us to sell to a great organization like Hannaford is right,” said Craig Paradis, treasurer of Paradis Shop ’n Save, in a press release. “We have enjoyed the many friendships that we have made and wish all the customers and associates well in their new endeavor with their new employer.”
Hannaford expects to offer all associates at the Caribou and Houlton stores positions with the grocer, and company representatives plan to speak with employees to ensure they understand the transition process and to answer any questions.
The Houlton and Caribou transitions will take place after the sale is final. The transition timing of the Calais store has not been determined, pending finding an independent to operate that store.
“Hannaford has been serving Maine communities for more than 130 years, and we are excited to be adding new Maine stores to our family,” said Tom Perry, Hannaford director of operations for Eastern Maine, in a press release. “We are committed to being a community partner in every market we serve and to providing customers with the everyday low prices, outstanding fresh foods and fantastic customer service they expect from Hannaford.”
The Paradis stores already were wholesale customers of Hannaford and sell many Hannaford-brand products.
“Customers will continue to see familiar faces and the products that they have come to appreciate once this transition takes place,” Perry said.
Hannaford, which was founded in Portland in 1883, operates 57 stores in Maine and is headquartered in Scarborough. It operates 185 stores in the entire Northeast, including Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.