Jun 11, 2014 By Rick Shrumbusiness Writerrshrum@observer-Reporter.Com 3 min read

A family with Washington County ties still has a healthy appetite for grocery expansion.

The four Duritza siblings are purchasing two of four Shop ‘n Save markets that Jim and Jeff Sorbara are selling in Western Pennsylvania.

Those stores are on Route 88 in Bethel Park and Route 22 in Wilkins Township, and will retain the company name.

Bob, Jeff, Scott and Laura Duritza own equal shares of ownership in the business their father, the late Bob Sr., started in 1973.

When their deal is consummated, expected to be in August, the family will own 11 grocery stores.

The other two Shop ‘n Saves are being bought by O’Hara Township-based Giant Eagle and will be rebranded.

Those stores are in South Fayette and Kennedy townships, the former at 3239 Washington Pike.

The transactions have not been completed, but Jeff Duritza confirmed the family’s deals.

He praised SuperValu, the Minnesota-based supplier of groceries to Shop ‘n Save and Foodland outlets, for alerting the siblings the two markets might be on the market, then assisting them with the process.

“On our end, this was fairly quick,” said Jeff, who lives in Washington County along with brothers Bob and Scott. Laura lives in Weirton, W.Va. “Our wholesaler, SuperValu, came to us and with their help, this is almost a done deal.”

Giant Eagle spokesman Dick Roberts confirmed that chain’s decision to buy the other two stores that were available.

Jim and Jeff Sorbara still own two Shop ‘n Save stores, on Route 50 in Heidelberg and in Cranberry.

The Duritzas are offering jobs at the Bethel Park and Wilkins groceries to employees who want to stay and who fulfill certain requirements.

Roberts said in a statement the 70,000-square-foot Giant Eagle in South Fayette will employ about 200, “likely including most of the faces area customers have come to know from the Sorbara family ownership.”

Employees in Kennedy, he said, will be considered for “open positions at various area company locations.”

When the deals are completed, the Duritzas will own 11 grocery stores: seven Shop ‘n Saves (Washington, Canonsburg, Bethel Park, Imperial, Rostraver Township, Wilkins and Weirton, W.Va.); three Foodlands (Interstate in Canton Township, plus Monessen and Monongahela); and Duritza’s Market (North Belle Vernon).

Their previous purchase was Interstate Foodland in January 2013.

Jeff Duritza is pleased, but bracing for a challenge.

“It’s exciting, but also stressful,” he said. “It’s a lot of undertaking at once. But we’ll work through it and all will be well.”