Two longtime, family-owned grocery companies with deep Utah roots are joining forces.

Ridley’s Family Markets announced Feb. 2 that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Terrel’s Markets, a community-focused grocer operating six stores in central Utah. The transaction is expected to be finalized on or near the first week of April.

The acquisition will bring Terrel’s locations in Fillmore, Gunnison, Mount Pleasant, Nephi, Payson and Santaquin under the Ridley’s Family Markets umbrella. Over time, the stores will transition to either the Ridley’s Family Markets or Macey’s banner, with company leaders emphasizing continuity for employees, customers and the communities they serve.

A shared commitment to community

Both companies trace their identities to family ownership, local involvement and customer service — values leaders say made the partnership a natural fit.

“This decision was made with great care and a strong sense of responsibility to our employees and the communities we serve,” said Scott Hymas, president and CEO of Terrel’s Markets. “Ridley’s Family Markets shares our values, our commitment to service, and our belief that grocery stores should play a meaningful role in their communities. We are confident that our team members and customers will be well served as Ridley’s continues the legacy of Terrel’s.”

Terrel’s Markets has served central Utah communities for decades, building a reputation for friendly service and strong local ties. The company’s six supermarkets have long been gathering places in their respective towns, supporting schools, youth programs and community events.

Ridley’s Family Markets, founded when Jerry and Connie Ridley opened their first store in Payson, has grown into a regional grocery retailer serving communities throughout the Intermountain West. The company remains family-owned and guided by principles of kindness, operational excellence and community engagement.

A full-circle moment for Payson

The acquisition carries special meaning for Ridley’s, as one of the current Terrel’s locations is in Payson — the same community where the Ridley family’s grocery roots began.

Company leaders described the move as something of a homecoming.

“We have tremendous respect for the Seely family, the Terrel’s organization, and the outstanding teams who serve customers every day,” said Anita Ridley, chairperson of the board of Ridley’s Family Markets. “This is more than a business transaction — it is the joining of two companies built on family values, kindness, and community involvement. We are honored to welcome Terrel’s team members into the Ridley’s Family Markets family and look forward to growing together.”

Ridley also noted the longstanding relationship between the two families behind the companies.

“The Seely and Ridley families have known each other, respected each other, and worked together for many years,” she said. “We are humbled by the trust and respect that the Seely family has shown in allowing us to carry on their legacy in these communities.”

What customers can expect

As part of the transition, Ridley’s leadership has emphasized its commitment to supporting employees and maintaining the customer service standards customers have come to expect from both brands.

Additional details about store branding, operational changes and specific timelines will be shared with employees and customers as April approaches, according to the company. Leaders have indicated that the transition will be gradual, with a focus on minimizing disruption.

Ridley’s Family Markets is known for clean, welcoming stores, competitive pricing and strong local involvement. The company places particular emphasis on hunger relief efforts, youth activities and charitable giving, often serving as a leading contributor to community causes in the towns where it operates.

Company officials say those priorities will continue — and expand — in the communities currently served by Terrel’s Markets.

“We are grateful for the trust placed in us by the Seely family,” Anita Ridley added. “Continuing their legacy through the stores, the teams and the communities they have served so well is something we take very seriously.”

Looking ahead

For residents in Fillmore, Gunnison, Mount Pleasant, Nephi, Payson and Santaquin, the familiar faces and local focus of their neighborhood grocery stores are expected to remain, even as signage and branding evolve.

While change often brings uncertainty, company leaders from both organizations have framed the acquisition as an effort to strengthen and preserve the small-town grocery tradition both companies represent.

By uniting two family-driven retailers with shared values and histories, Ridley’s and Terrel’s aim to ensure that local grocery stores remain more than just places to shop — but community anchors for years to come.