Wegmans to close Chase-Pitkin stores

The Wegmans-owned Chase-Pitkin Home and Garden Centers is exiting the home center business.

The exit begins with the closing of their Great Northern Chase-Pitkin store in Syracuse and one in Big Flats, by the end of the first quarter of 2006. Two remaining Syracuse stores and 10 Rochester-area home centers will also close in the future, but as yet, no timetable has been established.

Chairman Robert Wegman explained the reason for the decision. 'We have thoroughly analyzed our position in the home improvement business and have come to one conclusion: The industry is dominated by a small number of very large national players with thousands of stores, and Chase-Pitkin is simply not big enough to compete successfully and grow the business. The investment necessary to become competitive in the home center business would be enormous and the risks high, with no guarantee of success.'

He added: 'My greatest concern is the impact this decision will have on our Chase-Pitkin employees. They have done an incredible job sustaining our business in the face of intense competition, and for that, we are very grateful.'

According to Bill Strassburg, president of Chase Pitkin, the next phase will concentrate on helping employees in their transition to a new career, either with Wegmans or another company. Employees who want to work at Wegmans, and are determined by the company to meet the necessary qualifications, will be able to do so.

Those who choose to explore other career opportunities, or who may not have the required skills, will be offered a severance package.

Chase-Pitkin employs 1660 part-time and 507 full-time people in its 14 stores, corporate office, and distribution center. There are 33,353 employees working for Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.

In the home improvement business for more than 140 years -

Once a local giant in the home-improvement business, Chase-Pitkin found itself a regional retailer, doing $250 million in sales per year. It was able to survive by re-inventing itself and updating its processes and technology, and staying on the cutting edge.

Newark's Chase-Pitkin, in the Wegmans-owned Newark Plaza, is one of the 10 Rochester area home centers. Its closing will put scores of full-time and part-time people out of work.

The Newark store replaced a Sibley's Department Store in 1988. Sibley's was part of the original Newark Plaza, constructed in 1956.

Remaining in business to supply homeowners' needs are Plassche Lumber, a smaller home center store on Route 88 North, just outside of Newark, HEP Materials, plumbing and heating supply store on Rt. 31 East, Lake Country Kitchens & Baths on West Union, and Colacino Electric Supply, on West Union. Longtime family businesses Caves Lumber and Carr Lumber closed years ago, unable to compete with the big home centers.

As the new Economic Development Committee met at Newark Village Hall Monday evening, Chase-Pitkin, along with Wegmans, was listed as one of the many assets of the community. Newark Mayor Peter Blandino commented, 'It is very sad, and bad news. Chase-Pitkin was definitely an asset to the community and will be missed.'

Chase-Pitkin as a company can be traced to brothers Ethan, Lewis, and Martin Chase, who formed Chase Brothers Nursery in 1857. In the 1920's Newark's C.H. Perkins held an interest in the company. Lewis Chase's daughter married William Pitkin who joined Chase in running the company.

Pitkin, a descendant of Col. Nathaniel Rochester, was Mayor of Rochester from 1845-46. William Pitkin's great grandson J.M. Pitkin, a Newark industrialist, built 'Southaways, ' a 1929 stucco mansion at 1141 South Main St. in Newark.

Rumors have persisted for years about Lowes or Home Depot building near Wal*Mart in the eastern part of Newark, but the lot beside Wal*Mart remains vacant.

As with men's suits and shoes, will the homeowner have to travel 20-30 miles to find a complete selection of home improvement products?

(Reporter John Zornow contributed to this story, which was submitted by Wegmans Corporate Headquarters.)

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