ShawneeDispatch.com

Shawnee — Associated Wholesale Grocers announced last week it would buy four Kansas City-area Dillons stores, including both stores in Shawnee, 7405 Quivira Rd. and 22210 W. 66th St.

Associated Wholesale Grocers, which also will buy stores in Olathe and Pleasant Hill, Mo., said it plans to sell the Dillons locations to retailers who have agreed to be supplied by the company's distribution center in Kansas City, Kan.

Cosentino's Food Stores, which already owns the Price Chopper at 5600 Hedge Lane Terr., also announced Jan. 29 that it would purchase the western Shawnee Dillons.

On Monday, Casie Broker, marketing manager for Cosentino's, said the Dillons location would be converted to a Price Chopper, and despite their close proximity, both would remain open.

"We're hoping that it gives us a little bit better reach in serving the Shawnee community," Broker said.

Broker said Cosentino's would take over operation of the gas station in front of the Dillons. The store would be closed for a few days when it converts to a Price Chopper, she said, time enough to change out the Kroger brand for the Best Choice and Always Save lines and to change check out systems.

Broker said currently there was no hard date for the store's conversion from Dillons to Price Chopper, but the dates of closure would be publicized.

Associated Wholesale Grocers did not return calls requesting comment on the future of the Dillons at 75th Street and Quivira Road.

Additionally, Dillon's is buying two Price Chopper stores in Topeka and three Homeland grocery stores in Wichita from Homeland Acquisition Corp. Inc., an Oklahoma City-based subsidiary of Associated Wholesale Grocers. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the deals are expected to close in February.

Caroline Boyer contributed to this story.

Comments