PITTSBURGH — Friedman's Freshmarkets has lost its federal case, according to court documents filed this week, and the future of the county's vacant stores is unclear.

Federal Judge Arthur J. Schwab on Monday ruled in favor of Merchants Distributors Inc., which claim that Harold Friedman Inc. borrowed money to stock the county's Friedman's stores and did not pay it back.

Schwab also ruled against Friedman's counterclaims that MDI's practices destroyed the business.

Schwab's ruling includes a mandate for MDI to submit a proposal for the amount or collateral to be paid by Friedman's after consulting with Friedman's attorneys.

It appears that Friedman's CEO Carole Bitter will not appeal the case to a higher court, as Friedman's attorneys will consult with MDI attorneys regarding the judgment proposal due on Friday, according to court filings entered Tuesday.

This is an excerpt, read the full story in the Butler Eagle.