End of the line for Bottom Dollar Food

It's official: Bottom Dollar Food will close its 66 store locations in the greater Philadelphia and greater Pittsburgh markets by Jan. 15 and retire the banner's operations.

In November, Delhaize Group — the parent company of Bottom Dollar Food — announced the sale of Bottom Dollar's stores and associated lease liabilities to ALDI Inc., which has expressed an interest in growing its U.S. footprint.

Aldi has not said whether itwill re-open any of the former Bottom Dollar locations following the closures.

Upon the closing of stores, Bottom Dollar Food will offer every associate severance, and eligible associates will be offered career transition services.

"We want to thank our associates, customers and communities for their support over the past four years," Gene Faller, vice president of retail operations for Bottom Dollar, said.