Foodsource to Close in a Month

The at 663 W. Lancaster Avenue in Bryn Mawr will close permanently on October 22 according to a press release from GIANT, the store's parent company. A GIANT location in Abbington will close as well.

GIANT, which acquired Foodsource from Clemens in 2006, explained that they have several larger and newer stores within a five-mile radius that offer a wider selection of goods than Foodsource.

GIANT president Rick Herring said in the press release that the decision to close the store was a difficult one, but that it had become "outdated."

"We have numerous GIANT locations within the vicinity of both of these stores and are redirecting our resources from these outmoded store formats to growing our market share with newer, brighter, facilities," Herring said.

GIANT added that all Foodsource employees will be offered positions in other stores.

With the Bryn Mawr ACME under construction, Foodsource is the only grocery store open in Bryn Mawr.

Though the ACME is scheduled to open in March 2012, construction efforts were delayed because of recent bad weather and it is unknown whether they will be able to catch up for the intended reopening, Lower Merion Township Commissioner Scott Zelov said at Monday night's Bryn Mawr Civic Association meeting.

Bryn Mawr resident Karen Barton said the closure will be a blow to many in the community.

"This will be incredibly difficult for a lot of people, especially with ACME closed" said Barton. "My husband goes there everyday. We go there ritualistically on Sundays."

"Sure, there are places you can drive to," added Barton, "but not everyone can do that."