Di Bruno Bros. to close three stores, citing quality issues

Shoppers mourn the loss of the upscale grocer's Main Line locations, blaming a decline in product quality and customer service.

Published on Jan. 30, 2026

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Di Bruno Bros., a beloved Philadelphia grocery chain, has announced it will be closing three of its five stores in the coming weeks, including locations in Ardmore, Wayne, and the Franklin Residences in Center City. Customers cited a noticeable drop in quality of products like rolls, bread, and other items that gave Di Bruno's its reputation, with some saying they no longer felt the stores offered value at their high-end prices. The company's executive vice president, Sandy Brown, pushed back on claims that the recent acquisition by Brown's Super Stores was to blame, saying Di Bruno's was already "very distressed" when they invested. Main Line shoppers expressed sadness at the retrenchment, though many acknowledged the stores had lost their "special touch" in recent years.

Why it matters

Di Bruno Bros. has long been a beloved Philadelphia institution, known for its high-quality Italian and specialty food products. The closure of three of its five stores, including locations that had expanded the brand to the affluent Main Line suburbs, signals challenges the company has faced in maintaining its reputation and customer loyalty in the face of increased competition and changing consumer preferences.

The details

Di Bruno's will be closing its Ardmore store on February 4th, and the Wayne and Franklin Residences locations on February 11th. The closures will affect 59 employees, who have been offered jobs at other Brown's Super Stores locations in the area. Some customers attributed the decline in quality to Brown's acquisition of an ownership stake in Di Bruno's in 2024, though the company's executive vice president, Sandy Brown, pushed back on that, saying Di Bruno's was already "very distressed" when they invested. Main Line shoppers lamented the loss of the upscale grocer, with many saying the stores had lost their "special touch" in recent years, with a noticeable drop in product quality and customer service.

  • Di Bruno's Ardmore store will close on February 4, 2026.
  • The Wayne and Franklin Residences locations will close on February 11, 2026.

The players

Di Bruno Bros.

A beloved Philadelphia grocery chain known for its high-quality Italian and specialty food products.

Brown's Super Stores

The parent company that acquired an ownership stake in Di Bruno Bros. in 2024.

Sandy Brown

The executive vice president of Di Bruno's parent company, Brown's Super Stores.

Mignucci family

The family that previously led Di Bruno's expansion before selling an ownership stake to Brown's Super Stores.

Wakefern Food Corp.

A New Jersey-based supermarket cooperative that later acquired the Di Bruno's brand and packaged-product portfolio.

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What they’re saying

“The quality went down, the taste went down. Why am I going to pay upmarket prices for a mid-market product?”

— Xavier Hayden, Lawyer (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

“It used to be spectacular, delicious ... extra special. Now, it's too expensive to justify, having 'lost that special touch.'”

— Dana Reisbord, Professor (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

“That gains you loyal customers, but I don't know if corporate appreciates that.”

— Mike Manley, Cartoonist (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

What’s next

Kimco Realty Corp. and Korman Communities, the landlords of the closing Di Bruno Bros. locations, say they are excited to "re-merchandise" the spaces and bring in new cuisine concepts to meet the pent-up demand in those areas.

The takeaway

The closure of three Di Bruno Bros. stores on the Main Line highlights the challenges facing even beloved local institutions in the face of changing consumer preferences and increased competition. The company's struggle to maintain its reputation for quality and customer service serves as a cautionary tale for other specialty grocers looking to expand beyond their core markets.