Development

Mega-Gordy’s Deal Ahead of Schedule, Say Goodbye to Mega East

Tom Giffey |

If you want to push a shopping cart around at Mega! East for old time’s sake, you’ve only a got a few more days to do so. As part of the big gas-and-groceries switcheroo agreement between Mega! Co-op and Gordy’s Markets that was announced in early January, Mega! East will close its doors permanently at 10pm on Friday, Feb. 5. That date, revealed in a press release Tuesday, is a bit ahead of the original end-of-February target for closing the store at 1201 S. Hastings Way. Mega! Co-op will continue to operate Mega! West as well as grocery stories in Barron and Whitehall through Feb. 20. Those stores will then close and re-open as Gordy’s Markets on or before Feb. 26, the press release stated.

Meanwhile, beginning on March 1, the 14 Gordy’s Express convenience stores will begin their conversion into Mega! Holiday stories, a process that is expected to take about three weeks. According to Mega’s Mike Buck and David Schafer of Gordy’s, “both companies have made significant progress in preparation for this transition.” When the dust settles, Mega will own and operate 33 convenience stories while Gordy’s will own and operate 24 grocery stores.

And if you’re concerned about the future of your gift cards and gas points, here’s the scoop, according to the press release:

Mega! Co-op gift or Scrip cards can be used at Mega! grocery stores and Mega! Holiday convenience stores through February 20th and thereafter can still be used at any Mega! Holiday location. Additionally, Mega! Co-op members will continue to receive exclusive Member benefits like Gas Rewards, cash discounts, and discounted movie tickets offered at the Mega! Holiday convenience store locations.

For the next three weeks customers will continue to earn Pump Perks at any Gordy’s Market redeemable at any Gordy’s Express, and Mega! Co-op customers can earn Gas Rewards at the Mega! grocery stores and redeem them at the Mega! Holidays. After February 26, 2016, Gordy’s Markets and Mega! Co-op customers registered for either the Pump Perks or the Gas Rewards program will be able to earn fuel discounts at any Gordy’s Market and redeem them at all Mega! Holiday locations.