Stewart’s Shops is continuing to expand into northern New York, this time in Alexandria Bay.
The Ballston Spa, New York-based convenience-store chain said Monday it is under contract to acquire the Alex Bay Big M Market at 45560 Route 12 in Alexandria Bay.
The company also is acquiring the Dexter Market at 308 Brown St. in Dexter, CSP recently reported.
- Stewart’s Shops is No. 22 on CSP’s 2025 Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by U.S. store count.
These acquisitions are the latest examples of the investments Stewart’s is making around Watertown and the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, the company said.
Stewart’s also is rebuilding a shop at the corner of Coffeen and North Massey streets in Watertown. In addition, Stewart’s added three shops in fall 2025 when it bought the Sliders Food Mart c-stores in Clayton, Croghan and Harrisville. Stewart’s Shops sold a fourth location, in Lowville, that it acquired in the deal.
“We have been serving northern New York for decades, and these latest investments are the perfect opportunity to expand into two more vibrant, close-knit communities,” Stewart’s Shops President Chad Kiesow said.
The deals on the Alex Bay Big M Market and the Dexter Market are expected to close in the coming weeks, Stewart’s Shops said. Terms were not disclosed.
After the acquisitions, Stewart’s will renovate the properties with plans to begin operating at each location in the coming months.
While Stewart's Shops is mostly owned by the family of chairman William Dake, employees also own about 40% of the company through an employee stock ownership (ESOP) plan. It is known regionally for its milk, ice cream, coffee, to-go food, gasoline and other convenience items. The company has an extensive production, distribution and warehousing network that supplies its stores.
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