Bargain Hunters Head For P&C Closure Sales

POTSDAM - Customers looking for bargains are snatching up items at five North Country P&C stores, where inventory is being sold off to make way for Price Chopper's take over early next month.

Liquidation sales started over the weekend at P&C stores in Canton, Potsdam, Massena, Gouverneur and West Carthage, where large yellow banners announce, "Store closing. Everything must go."

At P&C stores in Ogdensburg, Watertown and Lowville, it appeared to be business as usual on Monday, with no special sales under way and no signs suggesting that change is forthcoming.

Tops Market, Buffalo, has not disclosed its plans for those stores. They were not included in Price Chopper's $14 million purchase last week of six former P&C stores including the five North Country stores and a store in Lincoln, N.H.

At the P&C stores slated to be converted to Price Choppers, items have been discounted by 10 to 50 percent, depending on the department. A liquidation company has been working with store managers to set up the sales, which are expected to last the next few weeks.

Ginney L. Green and her sister, Danielle R. Aldridge, both of Norfolk, were at the Potsdam P&C Monday stocking up on products for their daughters, including baby cereal, jugs of nursery water and pacifiers.

"We came to check out the sales. We're finding some good deals," Mrs. Aldridge said. "This pacifier is marked down to $1."

Other shoppers said they were disappointed that most food items, including meat, produce and dairy, were only discounted by 10 percent at this point.

Deborah M. LaPlante, Massena, said she usually grocery shops at the Massena P&C, but was in Potsdam for a dentist appointment so she decided to stop at P&C there after noticing the large sale signs outside the store.

"I needed a few things so I thought I'd check it out," Mrs. LaPlante said. "I'm not finding a lot of bargains. I'm not going to buy anything unless I'm really getting a good deal on it."

Decorative paper products like colored napkins and plates were reduced by 30 percent, while greeting cards were 50 percent off. Cosmetics, including make-up, and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals were reduced by 20 to 30 percent.

Thomas S. Burch, Canton, filled his cart at the Canton P&C, 111 E. Main St., with a 6-piece outdoor patio set that was marked down 30 percent from $169 to $118.

"I think that's a pretty good deal," he said. "Now I have to wait for the snow to melt."

While he was happy to find a bargain, Mr. Burch said he was concerned about the future of the store's employees.

"With this economy so bad, where are they going to go?" he said.

Posted notices inside the impacted stores warned customers that all sales were final and no returns would be accepted. Also, the five P&C s will no longer provide customers with cash back when they check out with a debit card.

Sales in this week's P&C advertising flyers are not being honored at the five impacted stores as their liquidation sales continue.

A sign in the lobby of the Potsdam P&C tells customers, "Thank you for all of your support and dedication over the years."