D'Agostino's to Focus on NYC

MARK HAMSTRA

NEW YORK — D'Agostino's will exit its remaining store locations outside of Manhattan, the president and chief executive officer of the family-owned chain told SN, confirming local reports that the chain would close its last two Westchester County, N.Y., locations.

“We are just trying to concentrate on Manhattan. That's where our expertise is, and we think it's better to concentrate there,” said Nick D'Agostino III, adding that the chain could “possibly go back outside Manhattan once we think we're ready.”

He said no firm dates had been set for the closure of its stores in Rye Brook and Chappaqua. The closures would leave the chain with 13 locations in Manhattan, according to its website.

DeCicco Family Markets, a local operator in Westchester and Rockland counties, is preparing to open in the former D'Agostino's in Cross River, N.Y., which closed in June.

As previously reported, D'Agostino's recently joined the Foodtown cooperative's Allegiance Retail Services group, which D'Agostino said would give the chain some more buying leverage and access to the Foodtown private label, among other benefits.

“We think their retail services are something a company our size can take great advantage of,” said D'Agostino, who noted that D'Agostino's had previously been a member of the Foodtown co-op for many years.

He also said joining Allegiance would help D'Agostino's in working with vendors, particularly DSD vendors.

“They will take some of that burden off of us, and allow us to serve our customers better,” he said.

Both companies buy primarily though C&S Wholesale Grocers, Keene, N.H.