They Bought Fairway — Now They’re Acquiring All of NYC’s Morton Williams Stores

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On Thursday, August 7, it was announced that Wakefern Food Corporation, based in Keasbey, New Jersey, had entered into an agreement to purchase Morton Williams stores in the New York metro area, a Morton Williams spokesperson told ILTUWS in an email.

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Founded in the Bronx in 1952, the family-run Morton Williams currently has two locations on the Upper West Side: one at 15 West End Avenue between 59th and 60th Streets, and another at 2015 Broadway between West 68th and 69th Streets. Wakefern previously acquired Gourmet Garage (on 66th between Columbus and Amsterdam) in the summer of 2019, and Fairway Market on Broadway near 74th Street in March 2020.

“We are very excited to welcome Morton Williams to our Wakefern family of supermarket banners. This acquisition is an incredible opportunity to continue the legacy of a storied New York City grocer while building on the business and adding even more product offerings, value, and quality for shoppers,” said Wakefern President Mike Stigers in a press release. “Wakefern is committed to honoring the traditions of Morton Williams by bringing high-quality fresh foods and groceries to residents of one of the greatest cities in the world.”

At present, there’s been no indication that any of Morton Williams’ 15 stores in Manhattan, the Bronx location, or the Jersey City store will close. Wakefern will also retain the Morton Williams name. “A wholly owned subsidiary of Wakefern will operate the 17 stores in the tradition New Yorkers have come to expect, with special emphasis on fresh prepared foods, produce, and Wakefern’s award-winning private label brands,” a Wakefern spokesperson wrote in an email.

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Shaen Begleiter, president of the West 68th Street Block Association — who played a key role in bringing a grocery store back to the area after the Food Emporium closed at 68th and Broadway in 2013 — expressed gratitude toward Morton Williams, which opened at that location in 2024. “I appreciate that they never gave up on our area for a market,” Begleiter said. “The West 68th Street Block Association regrets losing the Kaner and Sloan families as valued community partners, and the new owners have big shoes to fill when it comes to being accessible and responsive to the community.”

Something we’ll be keeping an eye on: Wakefern implemented facial recognition technology in March 2023 at their Fairway location on Broadway. It’s not uncommon to see an off-duty police officer working security near the sliding entrance, as part of a New York Police Department program that allows officers to take private security details. Fairway is easily the busiest Wakefern brand on the Upper West Side. While the Morton Williams on Broadway has tight aisles, it’s not typically chaotic — but still the most anxiety-inducing, in our opinion. By contrast, the West End Avenue location offers a more spacious and relaxed shopping experience, tucked slightly off the beaten path. It’s similar to Gourmet Garage in feel, though the latter has a smaller footprint.

Fairway is also known to mark down the price of certain foods, like packaged chicken and fish from the butcher, or prepared items such as sushi, rotisserie chicken, and sandwiches from the hot bar. Both Gourmet Garage and Morton Williams are on the Too Good To Go app, a service that lets you buy a bag of surprise food at the end of the day at a steep discount. While you never know what you’re going to get, if you have a wide palate, we think it’s a fun one.

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“Like Wakefern, Morton Williams is family owned,” read the press release. Wakefern is known for its retailer-owned cooperative, where the majority of member companies are family-owned and operated. Some of these family businesses have been passed down through generations. Founded in 1946, the cooperative comprises member families that today independently own and operate hundreds of supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market, Di Bruno Bros. banners in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island

Morton Williams is now led by its third generation: Avi Kaner, son-in-law of Morton Sloan; David Sloan, his son; and Steven Sloan, son of William Sloan.

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