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Market Basket Reaches Deal To End Standoff

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Hours after reaching an agreement to buy the company, the restored chief of New England's Market Basket supermarket chain celebrated with workers in a rally at headquarters Thursday, saying he loved them and appreciated their efforts in helping him regain control.

"Seeing all of you here today is like seeing a little piece of heaven on earth," Arthur T. Demoulas told several hundred workers Thursday morning in Tewksbury, some of whom shouted "We love you" and "Welcome back" during a speech that sometimes resembled a political victory speech, and often took on the tones of a rock concert.

"I am in awe of what you have all accomplished," he said.

Arthur T. Demoulas was ousted in June by a board of directors controlled by rival cousin Arthur S. Demoulas, causing workers to stage protests. Hundreds of warehouse workers and drivers refused to deliver food, leading to empty shelves and tens of millions in lost revenue. Customers stopped shopping at Market Basket, with some even taping their receipts from competitors in Market Basket store windows.

Demoulas on Wednesday announced that an agreement has been reached for him to buy for $1.5 billion the 50.5 percent of the company owned by Arthur S. Demoulas and his allies.

Here & Now's Robin Young speaks with Curt Nickisch, who has been covering the story for WBUR in Boston.

What do you see in the future for Market Basket? Will customers return? Tell us on Facebook or in the comments.

Guest

This segment aired on August 28, 2014.

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