End of an Era: Grocery Chain Closes After 30 Years as Owner Blames Dollar Stores and Walmart
A beloved grocery chain is set to close its doors after three decades of service, citing rising costs and intense competition as the driving factors behind this difficult decision. The family-owned Sparkle Market, located in Reynolds Plaza in Transfer, Pennsylvania, will officially close on October 30.
Owner Tony Modarelli expressed his regret over the closure, attributing it to the high cost of living and the competition posed by larger retailers like Walmart. “We opened that store over 30 years ago. At that time, there were three grocery stores in Greenville, plus us,” he noted. “Now, the only options left in Greenville are Walmart, Aldi, and soon, nothing in Transfer.”
Modarelli acknowledged that Walmart’s ability to offer groceries at lower prices presents a significant challenge for smaller stores. “Walmart can sell their groceries a lot cheaper than we can, to be honest. They sell not just groceries, but also tires, TVs, and more. We focus solely on groceries,” he explained.
The closure of Sparkle Market is poised to impact the local community deeply. Modarelli emphasized the store’s connection to its customers, saying, “We know almost everybody that shops here. Most of the people in the community. We supported local baseball and little league teams, as well as churches. This will affect the whole area.”
While Sparkle Markets in Boardman, Warren, and Brookfield will remain open, the announcement of the Transfer location’s closure has prompted an outpouring of support on social media. Many fans took to Facebook to express their sadness and share memories of shopping at Sparkle Market.
One commenter shared, “This is the only place I like to stop. The staff is friendly, and their weekly sale prices are hard to beat. They usually have what’s advertised, unlike other stores.” Another added, “I love shopping there. Thank you for your service.”
As the community prepares to say goodbye to Sparkle Market, loyal customers are already considering making the trip to the Brookfield location to continue supporting the chain they love.
