Karns Quality Foods will open its ninth store in the former Darrenkamp’s in Newberry Township.
Andrea Karns, vice-present of sales and marketing for the family chain, said the 39,000 square foot store at Newberry Commons will open in early 2020. It will be the only Karns store to operate in York County. .
The space became available last year after Darrenkamp’s closed its four stores in 2018, citing a competitive market and changing times.
That’s when Karns said he started getting phone calls, emails and letters from shoppers asking them to move into the vacant supermarket. Many of them stressed that they wanted a family market with local products, similar to those in Darrenkamp, she said.
“It hasn’t stopped since the announcement,” Karns added.
After conducting market research, she said it was clear the North York community was a perfect fit for Karns. The chain is based in Mechanicsburg and was started in 1959 by David Karns. Its stores operate in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties.
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The new store will feature an 84-foot full-service meat and seafood counter, updated decor and locally made products. It will also sell Karns’ private store brands, including Essential Everyday and its natural and organic offering, Wild Harvest.
For a small player in a competitive market with Giant Food Stores and Weis Markets, Karns held firm. It ranks fourth in market share in central Pennsylvania with sales of $137.25 million, according to Food World, a trade publication.
The chain opened a new store in Carlisle in 2013 and moved its Lemoyne store in 2014. It is expanding a store in New Bloomfield, adding 10,000 square feet.
Karns said they frequently hear from people who want them to open new stores.
“We really take our time as a company to grow smarter, making sure our resources are aligned and we’re able to meet the needs of everyone we meet and serve,” she said. . “It’s not about numbers, it’s about doing the job well.
The new store will employ 100 people and the apps will be available starting today, July 25. It will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
This story has been updated to clarify that this will be the only Karns grocery store operating in York County.
