Summer Fresh buys Conway store

Summer Fresh Supermarkets Inc. has purchased the Bear Country Market in Conway - the Springfield-based chain's second acquisition in six months.

As part of Summer Fresh's ongoing expansion in southwest Missouri, it acquired Pendergrass Food Fair in Greenfield in the fall.

Summer Fresh will officially take possession of the Conway store from owner Debbie Ginnings at 516 W. Jefferson Ave. in February, according to Summer Fresh President and CEO Brent Brown. The Conway store will be Summer Fresh's eighth location.

The company plans to add a full-service deli, bakery and beverage center to the store, as well as new signage and equipment. The store also will participate in Summer Fresh's temporary price reduction program, which passes wholesale discounts on to customers, Brown said.

Summer Fresh also will establish its Helping Hand Program in Conway to give to nonprofit organizations. Through the program, the company has given nearly $1 million so far in communities where it has stores.

Summer Fresh closed one location in 2007 when it offered its Plainview Road building to Community Blood Center of the Ozarks.