After a 20-year absence, Gristede's reentered the New Jersey market by opening more than ten supermarkets there, beginning in 2002. According to "The Record", Catsimatidis was attracted to the market after researching a potential acquisition, Kings Super Markets Inc. Both chains had a similar customer base and similar approach. Gristede's was bidding against rival D'Agostino Supermarkets, Inc. to acquire Parsippany, New Jersey-based Kings Super Markets from Marks & Spencer PLC (M&S). Neither company was able to secure the necessary financing to buy the 28-unit chain, and in August 2003, M&S pulled Kings off the market.