Sunoco today announced they are buying 18 North Country Nice n Easy stores from Watertown-based Valentine Stores Inc., some of which are in Ogdensburg, Potsdam, Canton and Gouverneur.

The purchase totals $76.4 million, according to a news release from Sunoco.

"This acquisition includes 18 company-operated locations which sell approximately 20 million gallons of fuel annually and one standalone Tim Hortons restaurant," the release says. "As part of the transaction, Sunoco's subsidiary acquired a total of 19 fee properties, one leased property, and three raw tracts of land for future store development."

Sunoco operates approximately 1,300 retail fuel sites and convenience stores (including APlus, Stripes, Aloha Island Mart and Tigermarket brands) and distributes motor fuel to convenience stores, independent dealers, commercial customers and distributors in 30 states at approximately 6,800 sites.

Their parent company is Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.