History of TOPS

Now among the leading grocery retailers in the United States, TOPS Markets can trace its roots to a simple family store in Niagara Falls, NY in the 1920’s. What started as a small association of franchised stores grew into a regional leader, and eventually became part of one of the world's leading retailers, while remaining an integral part of the fabric of the community in which it all began.

TOPS Markets
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Armand J. Castellani is born in 1917 in a village 20 miles from Rome, Italy.  The Castellani family immigrates to the US in 1920 and moves to Niagara Falls, NY two years later.  Ferrante Castellani, Armand's father, operates a grocery store in Niagara Falls for many years.
  
  
• In 1951, Armand Castellani sets out on his own to open the Great Bear Market, on Pine Avenue and 10th St. in Niagara Falls. Thomas Buscaglia and Savino P. Nanula are also involved in the grocery business at this time, Buscaglia as a grocery salesman and Nanula as a meat department manager.
  
  
• Castellani and Buscaglia begin their association in 1952, operating the T. A. Buscaglia Service Company, in charge of selling and servicing food store equipment, and Armand's Great Bear Market.
  
  
• The company is incorporated under T. A. Buscaglia Equipment Co., Inc. one year later and Castellani and Buscaglia enter into a cooperative agreement with several small markets that eventually form the basis for the Tops Friendly Markets chain. 
  
  
• In 1960, the company opens its first modern supermarket, located at Portage Ave. and Cedar Street in Niagara Falls, and the name is changed to Niagara Frontier Services, Inc.  Savino Nanula is an integral part of the company's first management team.
  
  
• The Tops and B-Kwik chains have their inception as franchise systems are set up to facilitate the company's growth.  In 1962, NFS has a total of 300 employees and is composed of 15 stores.  Company headquarters is located at 60 Dingens Street on Buffalo's southeast side.
  
  
• In 1968, NFS goes public for the first time, trading on the American Stock Exchange. One year later the first Wilson Farms is opened in Tonawanda, NY.
  
  
• In 1986, NFS goes public for the second time, officially changing its name to Tops Markets, Inc.
  
  
• One year later, Tops celebrates its 25th Anniversary and introduces the "Tops Never Stops" marketing slogan.
  
  
• 1991 is a banner year as Tops is acquired by Koninklijke Ahold NV, a major international food retailer based in the Netherlands and the first Tops International Super Center is opened in Amherst, NY.
  
  
• Tops constructs a new, state-of-the-art 201,000 square foot headquarters building on a 21 acres of land in Williamsville, NY to accommodate its growing corporate team.
  
  
• In 1996, the company continues to expand, constructing a brand new $60 million Super Distribution Center in Lancaster, NY and taking over operations of the Finast chain in Northeast Ohio.
  
  
• Steve Odland is appointed President and CEO of Tops Markets, Inc. in February of 1998.
  
  
• In May of 1999, all 45 Finast stores in Northeast Ohio adopt the Tops Friendly Markets banner. Tops debuts its BonusCard.
  
  
• Tops acquires the Sugarcreek Stores chain on March 30, 2000, adding 87 stores to the Wilson Farms division.
  
  
• In May 2000, Ahold appoints Frank Curci as President & CEO of Tops.
  
  
• On August 30, 2000 the first Tops fueling station opens in Akron, OH.
  
  
• In the spring of 2001, Tops acquires 21 former Grand Union stores in the Adirondack region of New York
  
  
• In April, 2001 the Tops Xpress convenience store format debuts in Western New York.
  
  
• In December 2001, the 150^th Tops Friendly Market opens in Madison, OH.
  
  
• In 2001, Giant Food Stores, another Ahold Company based in Carlisle, PA forms an alliance with Tops Markets.  This new Shared Services was designed to allow both companies to continue to operate individually as separate and distinct businesses while partnering to support corporate functions. 
  
  
• In 2002, Tops celebrates its 40^th anniversary.
  
  
• Tops’ co-founder Armand Castellani dies on January 31, 2002, at age 84.
  
  
• On May 22. 2002, the 50^th Tops in northeast Ohio opens in Kent.
  
  
• On October 3, 2002, the 100^th Tops in New York State opens in Rome.
  
  
• On July 23, 2003, Tops opens a brand new 30,000 sq.ft store on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo. It is the first full-scale supermarket to serve the city’s East Side in several decades.
  
  
• In 2003, Max Henderson assumes the role of executive vice president and general manager at Tops.
  
  
• In September 2003, Shared Services evolves to the extent where Tops is fully integrated into the Giant organization.  The new structure results in many organizational changes consistent with Ahold’s strategy of operating local food stores that are focused on meeting the needs of the customers.
  
  
• As a result of the integration, Tops and Giant share each company’s unique strengths while maintaining local brands, resulting in increased long-term competitiveness and financial performance.
  
  
• In 2004 a prototype, one-of-a-kind Martin’s Super Food Store opens in Perinton, NY.
  
  
• Since 2004, four other Martin’s Super Foods Stores open in Amherst NY, Dunkirk, NY, Derby, NY and Batavia, NY
  
  
• In 2005, Ahold announces it has reached agreement on the divestment of its chain of 198 convenience stores, however will continue to operate under the banners of Wilson Farms and Sugarcreek.
  
  
• In 2005, Tops Markets announces that it will seek buyers for 31 stores located in Eastern New York and the Adirondack region in an effort to redefine its core market.
  
  
• In early 2006 Tops relaunches the Tops Never Stops logo and slogan in order to gain more brand equity in the Buffalo market. 
  
  
• In 2006, in redefining its core market for Ahold, Giant and Tops Markets made the decision to sell all 46 Tops stores in the northeastern Ohio region. 
  
  
• In November, 2006 Ahold announced that it will sell the 72 remaining Tops stores.
  
  
• In December, 2007, Tops Friendly Markets was purchased by Morgan Stanley Private Equity. This transition has allowed the company to operate as an independent, locally owned organization.  Tops considers their stores to have a “neighborhood grocer” feel – each store customized to fit the community it surrounds, with the product mix reflecting the cultural and ethnic variety of the individuals who encompass the Western New York area.