Harris Teeter still coming
By Ty Johnson
Published in News on February 21, 2013 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MICHAEL BETTS
Construction of Harris Teeter continues at Memorial Commons on Wayne Memorial Drive. The grocery store is scheduled to open in late 2013.
Despite indications that the company might be sold, Harris Teeter's corporate office indicated in a press release last week that it intends to continue with its strategic store growth plan and will continue to keep its headquarters in North Carolina.
That should mean that construction on the company's Memorial Commons location on Wayne Memorial Drive will continue as planned.
A spokesperson for the company directed an inquiry about Goldsboro's future location to a Feb. 13 press release.
Rumors began to surface about the grocery store chain's future over the past month, so to ease the nerves of customers and shareholders, the company confirmed that it has retained J.P. Morgan Securities as a financial adviser for a possible transaction.
The press release indicates that Harris Teeter was approached by two private equity firms with interest in purchasing the Matthews-based company and its holdings, but gave very little detail beyond that.
"There can be no assurance that these discussions will result in any transaction," the release reads, adding that there are also no assurances as to price, timing or other terms.
The release said the company will maintain the employment of its associates in its store and its distribution and manufacturing facilities in Indian Trail, Greensboro and High Point. It also indicated that there won't be any additional information about the possible transaction until discussions are concluded.
Construction on Goldsboro's 53,000-square-foot store began Oct. 8, 2012, and business owners near the site indicated they were told construction should be complete by this summer. The store is expected to hire 85 workers within three to four months of its opening, expected later this year.