Bensonhurst’s Waldbaums Will Likely Become Key Food

Another neighborhood fixture will take a hit as a part of A&P’s recent bankruptcy filing.

Waldbaums (8121 New Utrecht Avenue) is in contract to be sold to Key Food, along with 17 other A&P-owned stores. Last month, we reported that 25 A&P-run supermarkets — including Pathmark on Cropsey Avenue — were sold to Stop & Shop.

Close to 120 A&P-owned stores in total have been auctioned off to other supermarket companies for $6 million as part of the bankruptcy deal, with most of them being transferred to Acme Markets. In addition, A&P has decided to close 25 locations due to “lack of interest and significant ongoing store operating losses,” according to the company’s website.

“After careful consideration of all alternatives, we have concluded that a sale process implemented through chapter 11 is the best way for A&P to preserve as many jobs as possible, and maximize value for all stakeholders,” said Paul Hertz, President and Chief Executive Officer of A&P. “And while the decision to close some stores is always difficult, these actions will enable the Company to refocus its efforts to ensure the vast majority of A&P stores continue operating under new owners as a result of the Court-supervised process.”

A spokesman for the company told us that the sales are pending upcoming bankruptcy hearings, and that there is no timeline yet for the transfers.

What do you think of the impending sale of two of our neighborhood’s largest supermarkets? Will they be missed? Is Key Food and Stop & Shop an upgrade over Waldbaums and Pathmark? Let us know in the comments.