Price Rite is Closing The End Of September

Price Rite Marketplace is planning to close its store on Dalton Avenue in Pittsfield by Sept. 30, After operating in the Berkshires for 14 years, the store's parent company made the announcement Thursday.

The Berkshire Eagle reports, Management of the regional discount supermarket chain did not provide a reason for closing the store, except to say that it was a "very difficult decision."

The store currently has about 40 employees, according to local store management.

Price Rite's parent company is planning to share information regarding potential job opportunities or available positions at other Price Rite stores in the region, Panza said. The chain's closest stores are in Chicopee and Westfield.

The chain operates 62 stores in eight states from New Hampshire to Maryland. It opened its first store in 1995, in West Springfield.

The closing of the store came as a surprise to city officials, particularly in light of al the work that was done, rebranding and remodeling this year as part of a company-wide initiative designed to make all of Price Rite's markets easier for customers to shop in and to keep the chain competitive in the growing discount grocery space.

Mayor Linda Tyer said, that the city would reach out to the company to see if there is anything that can be done to reverse the decision.

Price Rite is a very important part of the food ecosystem in this city.