Mega buys parcel by Highway 93 Express store

TBL has learned that EEC, LLC, a real estate division of Mega Management Inc., which owns three MegaFoods grocery stores and 11 Mega Express gas/convenience store operations in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, has finalized the purchase of about a 40-acre parcel located to the north of the existing Mega Express gas/convenience store located along Highway 93 in Eau Claire. Terms of the land acquisition from property owner Frank Carr were not disclosed.

"We wanted this parcel for our property portfolio, especially if we decide to expand or rebuild our Mega Express location there, which is our fastest-growing "C-store"," said Lambrecht, who added, "We also made this acquisition as a defensive move so that one of our competitors did not come in and build another store in that area."

Meanwhile, the Consumers Cooperative Association Board of Directors, which oversees all of the Mega-related operations, including two Mega Lube Centers and a petroleum division, will be meeting late next month to discuss the possibility of developing a fourth grocery store in the Chippewa Valley.

"For the past year, we have solicited input from consultants and done the research to do an analysis of the feasibility of another grocery store...so we hope to present all of the information to the board during a weekend retreat at the end of October," said Lambrecht.

Dean Larsen of Acquisition Realty & Development handled the land sale. TBL