Key Food to replace local staple

The grocery store at 5661 Riverdale Ave. will not be an A&P Fresh for much longer. The company filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy late last month and is in the process of either selling or closing its 296 stores.

Key Food Stores is “under agreement” to purchase the Riverdale Avenue A&P, according to A&P’s website.

On a recent visit, shoppers had mixed feelings about the expected transition.

“I like Key Food,” Patrick O’Rourke said while shopping at the A&P on August 6. “We go down to Johnson Ave. sometimes,” he added, referring to the Key Food location at 540 W. 235th St. 

“I happen to think this is not the best grocery store in the neighborhood,” said Riverdale resident Harry Cuebas, who was also at the A&P last Thursday afternoon.

Mr. Cuebas was not surprised that the company, which also runs the Pathmark, Food Emporium and Waldbaum’s grocery chains, is filing for bankruptcy.

“I kinda figured that. Even in the store on Central Ave.… when you walk in there, it’s not too busy,” he said, referring to a Pathmark in Yonkers. That store is currently in limbo — not marked for closing, but without any buyer lined up.

The manager of the Riverdale store declined to comment, referring all questions to the company’s corporate headquarters.

“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 A&P’s President and CEO Paul Hertz said in a statement on the company’s website. “The interest from other strategic operators has been robust during the company’s sales process to date, and we have every expectation that will continue in chapter 11.”

An announcement last month marked the second time in five years the company has declared bankruptcy, according to news reports.