Many shoppers will be surprised if not shocked at news that the parent company of Sobeys has signed a deal to buy 51 percent of Longo’s. The deal includes Longos grocery store chain and its Grocery Gateway e-commerce business. The price is said to be $357 million. Empire Company Ltd. of Stellarton, Nova Scotia, said the deal adds two high-quality banners to its business and helps it grow in Ontario. According to a news release Tuesday, Toronto-area grocer Longo’s and Grocery Gateway will continue to be led by CEO Anthony Longo. However, Empire said Longo’s will be able to benefit from its infrastructure and capabilities in areas such as sourcing, logistics and real estate. Longo’s is a post-war business phenomenon in Ontario where it grew from a family-owned fruit store to a large chain of widely-patronized grocery stores. It’s known most notably in South Bayview for its store in the former steam engine repair building on Laird Drive.
