Tozier’s Family Market grocery store in Searsport, which abruptly closed last month, is expected to be sold to a new owner by the end of the week, according to the city manager.
Town Manager James Gillway said the potential buyer, whom he did not name, is in the final stages of purchasing the Route 1 grocery store and is expected to reopen the store in mid- to late fall. The buyer lives in Maine and operates other stores in the state, Gillway said.
According to the website, Tozier’s Family Market is owned by Dale and Mary-Jo Tozier. Dale Tozier could not be reached for comment.
The potential buyer plans to keep the grocery store open but will change the name and remodel part of the parking lot, Gillway said. The sidewalk in front of the store is currently being rebuilt as part of a $17.8 million project to upgrade a 2-mile stretch of Route 1, which resulted in the road through downtown Searsport being closed to southbound traffic for several months.
“A lot of people in Searsport are excited. They didn’t want it to turn into anything else,” Gillway said. “We need our neighborhood grocery store back. We really miss Dale and his family being here and taking care of us.”
Tozier’s Family Market locations in Brewer and Bucksport are not part of the planned sale, Gillway said.
Tozier’s Family Market at 87 S Main St. in Brewer closed last month. The Tozier family also owns and operates Tozier’s Market in Brewer at 483 S Main St., a smaller store that remains open, and the grocery store in Bucksport.
