Magruder’s in Negotiations to Sell

ROCKVILLE, Md. — The owners of Magruder’s Supermarkets on Wednesday said they were negotiations to sell four of its food stores and that its liquor store in Washington DC has already sold to a new owner but would continue to operate under the Magruder’s banner.

The potential buyer for the four stores, located in Vienna, Va., Alexandria, Va., Gaithersburg, Md., and Rockville, Md., was not identified, but the group “wishes to purchase the stores and reopen them as quickly as possible,” Gary Bortnick, a vice president for Magruder’s, said in a written statement.

Bortnick and members of his family have owned Magruder’s — founded in Washington in 1875 — for 46 years.

“Although this is a difficult decision it has been a pleasure and a privilege to have been an important part of Washington history dating from the days of President Ulysses S. Grant to President Obama and 26 Presidents in between. However, now is the right time for our family to move on.”

Bortnick said the company on Wednesday began 50%-off sales at its remaining four locations.