Defying the chains

It took 72 years to do it, but Community Market has finally decided to open a second location.

The owners of the landmark supermarket in Penn Hills and the operators of Giant Eagle stores in Verona and Oakmont are taking over the former Food Gallery in Fox Chapel.

In contrast to the Food Gallery, Community Market built its reputation with highly competitive pricing and powerful advertising, a strategy that, in part, has allowed it to survive the onslaught of the huge chains. Its owners say they have every intention of employing that same strategy for their newest location.

The Food Gallery, with four Pittsburgh area stores, found that it was becoming harder to compete with the large chain stores. But the Fox Chapel location, the new owners maintain, was profitable as a Food Gallery store.

“We’re very pleased to buy a successful operation like the Food Gallery in Fox Chapel,” says Jerry Rosenberg, one of the new owners.

The store was founded in 1927 by Lou Rosenberg. Rosenberg’s son, Jerry, says the 30,000-square-foot store won’t be enlarged, but it will have new dairy cases and freezers installed, improved lighting, wider aisles and a bigger staff.

Jerry Rosenberg’s son, Howard, and brother, Paul, also share in running the family business.

Time will tell if trendy Fox Chapel will take to an old stalwart like Community Market.

Ray Marano