Turf Wars: Popular Grocery Chain Closes After 30 Years, Owner Blames Dollar Stores and Walmart

According to The Sun, A beloved grocery chain, Sparkle Market, is set to close its doors for the final time after 30 years of serving the community. Located in Reynolds Plaza in Transfer, Pennsylvania, the store’s last day of operation will be October 30. Owner Tony Modarelli cited rising living costs and stiff competition from larger retailers like Walmart as the primary reasons for this tough decision.

Modarelli reflected on the store’s history, noting, “We opened that store over 30 years ago. There were three grocery stores in Greenville plus us. Now the only thing left in Greenville is a Walmart, an Aldi, and there’s not going to be anything in Transfer.” He emphasized the challenge of competing with Walmart, stating, “Walmart can sell their groceries a lot cheaper than we can, to be honest with you. But they’re also selling tires, they’re selling groceries, they’re selling TVs — we’re selling groceries.”

The closure of Sparkle Market will leave a significant void in the local community, where Modarelli and his staff have built strong relationships with customers over the years. “We know almost everybody that shops there,” he said. “Most of the people in the community. We supported baseball, little league up there. We supported churches. It’s going to affect the whole area.”

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While Sparkle Markets in Boardman, Warren, and Brookfield will continue to operate, the news of the Reynolds Plaza location’s closure has left many community members heartbroken. Fans of the chain flooded the store’s Facebook post with emotional comments after the announcement.

One shopper lamented, “The only place I like to stop. Friendly staff. Their weekly sale prices are hard to beat, and they usually always have what is advertised unlike the bait-and-switch program others practice. Sad for the community as well.” Another expressed their sadness, saying, “Oh no, you will be missed. Who buys meat at Walmart, not me.”

The heartfelt responses reflect the strong connection the store has fostered within the community. As the final day approaches, many customers are already planning to make the trip to the remaining Sparkle locations in Brookfield to continue supporting the chain they love.