Giant Eagle Axes Smaller-Format GetGo Stores

PITTSBURGH — Less than two years after opening two smaller GetGo locations near The Ohio State University, parent company Giant Eagle Inc. is closing down the concept.

The small-format convenience stores moved into space vacated by 7-Eleven Inc. in 2013 and opened for business that August. However, according to The Columbus Dispatch, the c-stores have been shuttered.

"GetGo remains committed to the central Ohio market. However, these smaller format locations cannot accommodate the fresh food, in-store dining, fuel and convenience offerings toward which the GetGo business is continuing to evolve," Giant Eagle spokesman Dan Donovan said in a statement.

The retailer currently has 23 GetGo locations operating in central Ohio, all including gas stations.

In a report from two years ago, the newspaper reported that the campus-area stores were never intended to sell fuel when they originally opened, but "look(ed) forward to bringing customers high-quality fresh foods and convenience-oriented services," Donovan said at the time.

The stores' combined 40 employees were given the opportunity to continue employment at other company stores in the area.

Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle operates 232 supermarkets and 195 fuel and convenience stores throughout western Pennsylvania, north central Ohio, northern West Virginia and Maryland.