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Vons to Take Over Builders Emporium Leases: Southern California’s biggest grocer is gobbling up 53 of 97 Builders Emporium leases in a shut-out strategy against competitors because the home improvement stores are the same size as supermarkets. Analysts expect Vons, which is headquartered in Arcadia, to convert six or eight into markets and hold on to the others until commercial rents rebound--then market them to non-rivals. Financial terms of the deal with Irvine-based Builders Emporium weren’t disclosed. The deal is expected to close in January.