The acquisition of kama'aina grocery store chain Star Markets by rival Times Supermarkets announced two weeks ago may result in the closure of two of Star's seven stores.

Times on its Web site disclosed that it plans to sell Star's Mo'ili'ili and 'Ewa Beach stores to CVS, the owner of Longs Drug Stores, in a deal that is expected to cost a significant number of Star employees their jobs.

Randy Slentz, Times director of marketing and merchandising, said Times has talked to CVS and a sale is possible but the two sides do not have an agreement.

A Times acquisition announcement posted on the company's Web site states that Times will sell the two Star stores to CVS as part of the Times-Star transaction.

The posting states that Bob Stout, senior director of store operations for Times, said "the remaining five Star locations will be rebranded as Times Supermarkets."

Karl Wissmann, president and CEO of Star, did not return calls on Thursday or yesterday.

A CVS representative could not be reached after normal business hours yesterday.

Though Times withheld financial terms of its agreement to acquire Star's seven stores on O'ahu, Maui and Kaua'i when it announced the deal July 7, Times representatives said the company would continue operating all seven Star stores.

Star suggested the same: "The agreement to sell our business to Times will ensure that (our) loyal employees and customers, who have put their trust in us for over 70 years, will still have a place to go for their daily shopping," Star's Wissmann said in a prepared statement at the time.

According to the announcement, the local Fujieki family, which has owned and operated Star Markets since 1927, decided early this year to leave the grocery business. The number of Star stores had been declining in recent years, including the sale of its Kane'ohe store to Walgreens in 2007.

Times has 12 stores and also operates two Fujioka's Fine Wine stores plus Shima's Market in Waimanalo. Its acquisition of five Star stores would still significantly increase its share of the market dominated by Foodland Super Market and Safeway. The combination also would give Times a presence on the Neighbor Islands.

Safeway operates 19 stores statewide, and has plans for several more stores in the works. Hawai'i based Foodland leads the state with 30 locations, and also is adding stores.

Times previously said it expected to employ more than 1,600 people after the Star acquisition — about 1,100 employees from Times and close to 600 at Star.

Pat Loo, president of the United Food & Commercial Workers Union-Local 480 that represents 40 meat division workers at Star, said Times earlier this month denied plans to close the two stores, though the union has advised members to expect jobs to be lost if the two stores are sold to CVS.

"Unfortunately these things happen," Loo said, adding that perhaps Times will emerge as a stronger company and be able to grow its number of stores and employees later.

The purchase of Star by Times is expected to take effect in September.