Tops of the Pops

Michael Davis Photo

After Wegmans pulled out of its Pond Street location last year, the community outcry made it seem like a really bad idea. Enter Buffalo-based Tops Friendly Markets, armed with a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes deal from the city of Syracuse. They spent $1.5 million to renovate the structure into a full-service grocery store, calling it North Side Tops Market. The 28,000-square-foot store opened to much North Side fanfare on Jan. 15. Pictured is Charlie Forrey, restocking the produce section.