Does Shaw's Deal Foretell More Changes to Somerville Supermarket Landscape?

Shaw's and Star Market agreed to sell several stores to Cerberus Capital Management as part of $3.3 billion deal, according to a report in the Boston Globe Thursday.

Somerville is home to both a Shaw's Supermarket and Star Market.

The recent deal led to some speculation about what would happen to Shaw's and Star Market locations in the Northeast. The Boston Herald reported the supermarkets' new owners may be interested in leasing their newly acquired real estate to other supermarket brands.

"Stop & Shop, Hannaford, Market Basket and Whole Foods would be likely buyers for any real estate or leases," the Herald said, quoting Mike Berger, senior editor of Duxbury’s Griffin Report of Food Marketing.

Somerville has already seen some turnover in its supermarkets when Johnnie's Foodmaster closed down its two stores in the city. The one on Beacon Street is expected to become a Whole Foods, and the one in West Somerville is vacant.

Meanwhile, Winter Hill is home to a long-vacant storefront that used to be a Star Market.

The Herald reported that "no immediate changes are planned for the West Bridgewater-based Shaw’s and Star Market grocery chains," but over time what do you think the deal would mean to Somerville?

Do you want Shaw's and Star Market to stay where they are, or do you want other supermarkets to move in?