That meant dedicating significant amounts of store space to kosher foods, oriental selections, Caribbean specialties and Indian foods, among others. Even with all their advance research, Tops officials now admit they really weren't totally prepared for when the Maple Road store opened. What Tops also found was that the store quickly became the destination that was first envisioned. With Tops International, it was drawing local customers from 25 or 30 miles away. In another surprise, they found the store was becoming a destination for tourists, as well.
People come to the store and get blown away.
The store has become more than just a supermarket. For many it is a de facto town center where customers meet for coffee and baked goods. The store's calling card, however, remains its diverse offerings. Tops International carries more than 100,000 items, which is far more than the typical supermarket, which may carry 30,000 or so items. Just in terms of square footage, the store is nearly 130 percent larger than the industry average.