October 23, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

Local markets consider Caruso’s takeover
by JOEL HOFFMANN

Weaver’s Way Co-op, a West Mt. Airy-based market, is in negotiations with CMS Companies to take over Caruso’s Market.

“We’d love to be there,” said Glenn Bergman, general manager of Weaver’s Way. “Many of our members would like us to be there. The issue is the cost of getting into Chestnut Hill”

Bergman was unable to disclose how much CMS executives were seeking in rent, but he said his market could not afford to sell food at a reasonable price at the rate CMS has proposed.

“It works if the price is right,” he said. “But right now the price is not right.”

Bergman said he would provide more details if a deal were made.

But Bergman is not CMS’s only suitor. Richard Hwang, owner of the Joa Mart convenience store in Mt. Airy, said he was interested in renting the Caruso’s property at 8434 Germantown Ave., but he was waiting to receive more information from CMS.

Dan Belfield, manager of the Market at Lafayette Hill, debunked rumors that his market was also negotiating with CMS.