The Giant Eagle supermarket in Ligonier is under agreement for sale, according to businessman George Hathaway, who has owned the outlet for about five years.
Hathaway declined to disclose the prospective buyer, but said Friday he expects the new owner will continue to operate the store as a Giant Eagle franchise.
The sale, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year, should not affect employment, he said. About 125 people work at the outlet at 117 S. Walnut St.
"I expect the transition to be as smooth as when I purchased the store," said Hathaway, who bought the outlet from veteran store operator Jack Bache in 2000. Bache had operated the former A&P grocery store since 1983. The store has 39,000 square feet of space.
Hathaway is selling the business operation only. Bache still retains ownership of the store building and property.
"This was just a great opportunity for me to sell the store," Hathaway said. "I've been in business for about 30 years, and I decided that the time was right to sell the store." He did not disclose a sale price.
The Ligonier Giant Eagle has survived despite ever-increasing competition in the supermarket industry in this area, heightened by the additions of major national players including Wal-Mart and Target.
Hathaway said the store has continued thanks to the patronage of the people of the Ligonier community.
"That's the toughest part for me," he said. "The people there have been great to me."
Hathaway also operates a Giant Eagle store in Johnstown and said he may sell that operation to his son, John, who has worked in some of his other store operations.
Hathaway, who is married to Westmoreland County Judge Rita Hathaway, also once operated a Giant Eagle in Bridgeport, Ohio.
