Customers Report Boardman Sparkle Closing Nov. 23
BOARDMAN, Ohio – The Boardman Sparkle Market, which has operated since 1946, will close Nov. 23, customers of the store report.
Customers said they learned of the closing Wednesday from employees at the store, 6315 Market St. According to the store’s website, it is owned and operated by the Anzevino family. Open seven days a week, the store’s recent additions include a coffee bar with an array of fresh baked goods near the front of the store.
Other nearby Sparkle stores are on South Avenue and Western Reserve Road, as well as on South Meridian Road. The South Avenue store was acquired last year by Tony and Theresa Modarelli.
According to the Sparkle website, which lists 19 locations in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, the chain was founded in 1955 by four local independent grocers who “banded together to challenge the national industry giants that had entered area markets.”
Local operators Tony Schiavone, John Halowach, Tony Santisi and Claid Post joined with a group of existing Akron-area independent grocers who had established their own retail-owned warehouse, Betsy Ross Foods, and created the Sparkle Markets name. They were joined by Paul Bindas, who converted his independent grocery store to a Sparkle and joined the four.
Over the last 20 years, Giant Eagle and more recently discount grocers such as Bottom Dollar Foods, have entered the marketplace, providing stiff competition for the Sparkle chain.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
CLICK HERE to subscribe to our twice-monthly print edition and to our free daily email headlines.