Williamsville, N.Y. – Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania, announced today that the company will reopen its Owego, NY location on Sunday, October 23 after being closed due to significant flood damage.  The store, located at 1145 Rt. 17-C suffered devastation in the wake of Hurricane Lee and during the past six weeks has undergone major repairs to return the store to operating condition.  

In mid-September, the Owego community was devastated by severe flooding due to the effects of Hurricane Lee.  Houses were destroyed, families were displaced and businesses were shut down, and the Tops Markets located in Owego, NY was no exception.  The store suffered significant damage which resulted in Tops closing the store for six weeks as the company assessed the situation and gained an understanding of the extent of the repairs that were needed.

“The work to be done to repair the store was substantial, but the decision to re-open the Owego store was an easy one,” said Frank Curci, Tops’ president and CEO.  “We felt that it was important to get up and running as soon as possible so we could help our neighbors rebuild and regain what they lost.”

Tops management, associates and construction crews worked tirelessly to clean, repair and restock during the six-week period so the store could reopen quickly in order to serve the needs of the community.  

“We are committed to this community,” said Bob Gillan, Owego Tops store manager.  “We are happy to be able to re-open our doors so we can continue to provide an exceptional shopping experience, and help our friends and neighbors refill their pantries.”

In response to the flood-related devastation within the communities Tops serves, the company immediately launched flood-relief efforts.  In September Tops made a donation, valued at $10,000, of hundreds of cases of product to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, including peanut butter, tuna fish, cereal, electrolyte drinks, and canned soup.  

Tops also ran a two-week fundraising campaign from September 16 through October 2  in ten Tops Markets locations to help raise funds and collect products for community members affected by flooding.  Tops sold $5, $10, or $15 “Little Brown Bags of Hope,” filled with perishable and non-perishable products including canned goods, cereal, rice and peanut butter as well as a variety of cleaning supplies. More than 800 bags were sold and donated directly to organizations in affected areas including Sullivan Trail Chapter American Red Cross and the Food Bank of the Southern Tier.

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