Nicholas Markets joins Wakefern Food co-op

New Jersey-based Nicholas Markets, owned by the Maniaci family, has become the 51^st family to join the Wakefern Food Corp. cooperative.

Nicholas Markets operates four stores in North Haledon, Cedar Grove, Colonia and the Township of Washington, N.J., under the Foodtown banner. Upon their conversion, the stores will be rebranded as The Fresh Grocer, a Wakefern trademark. Currently there are nine The Fresh Grocer stores, with eight located in the greater Philadelphia area and one in Wilmington, Del.

The Maniaci family has been part of the Allegiance Retail Services LLC cooperative, operating Nicholas Markets as Foodtown. The supermarket chain was founded in 1943 by Rocco and Nicholas Maniaci, grandfather and father of David Maniaci, current president and CEO of Nicholas Markets Inc.

“The competitive landscape in New Jersey has grown fierce in recent years,” said Maniaci. “I believe Wakefern’s deep roots in the state will help me navigate this and other challenges facing the supermarket industry.”

“We are excited to welcome another member into our Wakefern family,” said Joseph Colalillo, Wakefern’s chairman and CEO.  “Nicholas Markets is a strong addition to our cooperative. David and his associates are deeply committed to serving their communities and providing exceptional quality and fresh prepared foods to their customers.”

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Joe Sheridan, Wakefern president and COO, noted, “Adding Nicholas Markets stores to The Fresh Grocer banner strengthens Wakefern’s competitive position in northern New Jersey. Membership in our cooperative allows independent operators to maintain their entrepreneurial spirit while benefiting from the scale and services Wakefern offers. We look forward to welcoming the Maniaci family to Wakefern.” 

Wakefern Food Corp., based in Keasbey, N.J., is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States. Founded in 1946, the cooperative comprises 51 members who today independently own and operate 353 supermarkets under the ShopRite, The Fresh Grocer, Price Rite Marketplace, Gourmet Garage and Dearborn Market banners in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.