Where Do You Stand in the Market Basket Battle?

The battle of the heirs of the Market Basket chain appears to be coming to a head next week as one side of the family battles for control over one of New England’s most successful grocery chains

The Lowell Sun reported the company's board of directors is scheduled to meet on July 18, to vote to oust CEO Arthur T. Demoulas, a son of one of the founders, who has been in control of the company since 2008. The fight is being led by Arthur S. Demoulas, the cousin of the CEO, who is also a son of one of the founders.

Market Basket has two stores in Portsmouth on Woodbury Avenue and Lafayette Road, respectively.

The latest action has consumer advocates and supporters of employees worried about their future. Over 37,000 people have already signed an online “Save Market Basket” petition, a petition that was recently created to urge three of the board members to back Arthur T. Demoulas as CEO. Demoulas has reportedly worked to expand the chain, hire more people, preserve profits, while not taking on corporate debt. 

The petition noted that the store chain is “a way of life” for thousands of loyal consumers. It fears that if Arthur S. Demoulas is able to get control of the company, it will be sold and prices could go up for consumers, which has prompted protestors to gather outside Market Baskets in other parts of the state.

The family has made headlines over the years about who controls the company, including claims and counter-claims, as well as lawsuits.

[Story written by Portsmouth Patch Editor Jason Claffey]