Ahold to purchase upscale Providence supermarket

Ahold USA said Tuesday that a subsidiary would acquire Eastside Marketplace, an upscale supermarket in Providence, R.I., with the intention of continuing to operate the store under its current banner and management.

Scott Laurans, owner and president of Eastside Marketplace, will remain in an advisory role and store general manager Brian Pacheco will continue in his current position managing all aspects of the business. Known for speciality departments and service, Eastside has been voted "Best Local Supermarket" 12 times by Rhode Island Monthly magazine.

“This is a very exciting development for Eastside Marketplace," Laurans said. "For a world renowned company such as Ahold to say that they want to work with us is a testament to all the associates of Eastside Marketplace for the unique store they have helped create. They all have my thanks. Also, I personally wish to thank our thousands of loyal customers for their support and many ideas, which together have made Eastside so successful and such an important part of our community. We pledge to get better every day and to continue our support of the community.”

Eastside Marketplace was founed in 1981 when Laurans bought the former First National supermarket at its location. It originally operated under the IGA Foodliner banner.

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“We are very happy to welcome Eastside Marketplace to the Ahold family of stores. We have a great deal of respect for Scott, Brian and their team," Ahold COO James McCann said. "Eastside Marketplace is a terrific community asset and, with this transaction, Ahold USA is looking forward to working with the Eastside Marketplace team to do great things together."