By Carol P. Bartold     

Jul. 29, 2015:  Despite initial worries that A&P's corporate bankruptcy filing might leave Bronxville without a supermarket, actions taken last week indicate that ACME Markets will purchase the Cedar Street store. 

Under the bankruptcy agreement filed July 19, 2015, A&P will close 25 stores and sell 120 stores to ACME Markets, Stop & Shop, and Key Foods. ACME Markets has entered an agreement to acquire 76 of the stores, one of them being the Bronxville store. The ACME offer is subject to legal, bankruptcy court, and antitrust approval. 

A&P has asked the court to set a September 11, 2015, deadline for the submission of bids to purchase its 120 stores for sale. If bids from parties other than ACME, Stop & Shop, and Key Foods are received, A&P has asked the court to hold one or more auctions on September 25 and 26 and hold a sale hearing on October 1. A&P expects the court to approve the sale of its stores by October 15, 2015.

ACME Markets, based in Malvern, Pennsylvania, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Albertsons Companies and operates 107 stores in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey. The acquisition of 76 A&P stores would expand ACME's presence to New York and Connecticut. 

"I feel that as long as we have a good supermarket that Bronxville residents and others can rely on, we're in good shape," said Susan Miele, executive director of the Bronxville Chamber of Commerce. She urged people to consider their village supermarket a local business and to support it as they do other businesses in the village. 

"Supermarkets are up against so much competition now that did not exist even a few years ago," Miele said, citing Bronxville's proximity to Whole Foods at Ridge Hill, Trader Joe's in Eastchester, and Fairway Market in Pelham. "People go out of their way to shop at their favorite grocery store," she said. 

Mayor Mary Marvin expressed relief that Bronxville will continue to be served by a supermarket. "I hope ACME will fully engage with the community, be an engaged part of our central business district, and embrace the Bronxville Chamber of Commerce," she said. 

According to Miele, the Bronxville A&P store manager expressed concern for the store staff and their continued employment after the transition to ACME Markets. To date, Miele said, he has received no information about employment prospects or about a store transition date. 

A&P has stated that its stores remaining open during the transition period will operate normally and that customers can expect to see them fully stocked. Stores will continue to offer customer loyalty programs and to accept returned merchandise.

"If you want to be sure Bronxville has a supermarket in the long run," Miele said, "shop at it. Keep it in business."

Pictured here:  Façade of the Bronxville A&P. 

Photo by A. Warner