Springetts Food Lion to become Saubel's

As a result of a merger between its parent company and the parent company of Giant Food Stores, Food Lion in Springettsbury Township will become a Saubel's Markets location.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, along with authorities in five other states, reached a settlement to allow the two major food retailers, Koninklijke Ahold N.V. (Giant owner) and Delhaize Group NV/SA (Food Lion owner), to proceed with a $28 billion merger, according to a news release.

The settlement requires the divestiture of 76 nationwide supermarkets, including four in central Pennsylvania, the release states.

One of the four is the Food Lion at 3611 E. Market St., which will be acquired by independent grocer Saubel's.

Food Lion spokeswoman Christy Phillips-Brown wrote in an email that the company is working through transition plans, but it anticipates most stores will transition to their new owners by the end of the year.

Jeff Johnson, a spokesman for the AG's office, wrote in an email that the office conducted an extensive review process regarding the long-term viability of each of the stores' buyers.

Saubel's owner did not return a request for comment on the transaction. The grocery store currently operates in Shrewsbury, Stewartstown and Whiteford, Maryland.

The other central Pennsylvania locations divested per the agreement are three Food Lion stores in Waynseboro and Chambersburg, which will be acquired by Supervalu, according to the report.