Giant Eagle in West Newton to remain open under temporary management

The Giant Eagle grocery store in West Newton, Westmoreland County, is remaining open under temporary management.Watch the report from West Newton in the video above.The doors were set to close permanently on June 23. But on Tuesday, Giant Eagle announced it had reached an agreement to temporarily transition the store to corporate management, allowing the doors to remain open to the community.The supermarket on Robertson Street is independently owned by Mike and Maryann Bingey, who have decided to retire and planned to close the store.“We are pleased to have come to a resolution that allows the Bingey family to begin their well-earned retirement while continuing to provide the West Newton community with life’s essentials,” Giant Eagle interim CEO Bill Artman said in a statement. “We are especially appreciative of the passion and collaboration from Mayor Popovich, who has provided valuable insights into the West Newton community.”All current employees will be offered the opportunity to continue working at the store once it's under corporate management, if they're interested. "It's a win-win for our community because they're going to retain the employees, and we're going to have a grocery store," said West Newton Mayor Mary Popovich. Watch our original report on the closure in the video player above.Giant Eagle Inc. said Giant Eagle will operate the location until the end of its current lease, which ends in December 2024, or until another operator agrees to take over the store.Popovich said this will allow them more time to find an interested buyer. She said this will give time for a smooth transition."I'm not sure about that; I can't confirm that," said Popovich when asked if interested buyers are looking to keep the store a Giant Eagle. "But it will be a grocery store."The West Newton Giant Eagle will continue to operate from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, and the Giant Eagle Pharmacy will operate from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.