Stop & Shop and King Kullen announced on Wednesday that they have terminated their merger agreement through which Stop & Shop was to acquire King Kullen.

The decision comes a year and a half after the chain said it would buy 32 King Kullen supermarkets and five Wild by Nature natural food stores.

The deal was called off Wednesday, citing COVID-19 as a main reason.

"Both companies have put forth an incredible amount of effort to work through unanticipated challenges that have arisen, and we regret that we're not able to move forward. King Kullen has a strong legacy on the island, and we wish them continued success," said Gordon Reid, President of Stop & Shop.

A total of three King Kullen locations in Lake Ronkonkoma, Mount Sinai and North Babylon closed since the deal was announced.

Stop & Shop to buy LI-based King Kullen