Ocean Avenue Waldbaum's Set to Close

The in Rockville Centre will close soon, one of six Long Island stores described as underperforming by its parent company.

Waldbaum's parent company, the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. said it had filed a motion with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, "asking approval to close 14 stores in four states as it prepares to emerge from Chapter 11. The store closures are expected to be completed in the company's fiscal first quarter, subject to court approval."

The other five Long Island Waldbaum's locations that will close are in Commack, Huntington, East Islip, West Babylon and Lake Ronkonkoma.

Sam Martin, A&P president and chief executive officer said, "We are continuing to take the steps necessary to position A&P to emerge from Chapter 11 with a strong future and ensure that we remain focused on our top priority — providing great value and service to our customers every day. As part of our preparations to emerge from Chapter 11, we have decided to close these 14 underperforming locations. While this was a very difficult decision that will unfortunately impact some of our customers, partners, associates and the surrounding communities, these actions are absolutely necessary as we continue to strengthen A&P's operating foundation and improve our performance."

A&P said it will work with union representatives to try to place workers in other stores, based on associates' collective bargaining agreements. The company said it "will also encourage loyal customers to shop at its other neighborhood stores in close proximity to the closing store locations."

The Rockville Centre Waldbaum's on the corner of Ocean Avenue and Sunrise Highway has long been on the decline, having been robbed twice within a six month span. In August of 2010, the supermarket was and on New Year's Day last year, an unknown amount of suspects through the supermarket's roof and made off with two safes.

Founded in 1859, A&P is one of the nation's first supermarket chains. The Company operates 336 stores in six states under the following trade names: A&P, Waldbaum's, Pathmark, Best Cellars, The Food Emporium, Superfresh and Food Basics.