Former Friedman's store closer to sale
SAXONBURG — The owner of the former Friedman's Freshmarkets building in Saxonburg continues to work with potential buyers for the hulking structure on West Water Street.
“We are still working with multiple parties and we're getting closer,” said Shawn Beichler, the general manager and vice president of real estate for Alex Lee Inc. in Hickory, N.C.
The store has sat idle since January 2018, when it was closed by Carole Bitter, the owner of Harold Friedman Inc.
The Chicora and Greater Butler Mart stores also were closed at that time.
Alex Lee is the parent company of MDI, also of Hickory, which sued Bitter in January 2018 for failing to make payments on a loan and mortgage she took out in October 2016.
Bitter immediately countersued MDI, claiming its practices destroyed the 125-year-old business that her father started in Butler with a produce cart.
The lawsuit dragged on and finally was closed in March in federal court by Judge Arthur Schwab of Pittsburgh. MDI's position that Bitter failed to uphold her end of the contract was confirmed by Schwab.
Since then, residents in Saxonburg have been without a grocery store and must travel to Butler, Sarver or another area to shop.
“We're hoping to have an agreement within the next 30 days,” Beichler said.
He acknowledged that he is in negotiations with grocers and other types of businesses regarding the purchase of the 27,500-square-foot building.
Beichler would not name the companies.
Friedman's Freshmarkets that closed in other areas of the county, such as Chicora, were not involved in the MDI lawsuit.
