Future Of LI Waldbaum's Locations Remain Uncertain After A&P Bankruptcy

JERICHO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- With a number of supermarkets in danger of closing, some Long Islanders may soon have to find a new place to shop.

The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co., known more commonly as A&P, filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, putting the fate of the company's subsidiaries -- grocery chain Waldbaum's and convenience store/pharmacy Pathmark -- in jeopardy.

Some of the affected stores have been bought out or bid on by other companies, like supermarket giant Stop N' Shop, PSK Foodtown and Asian grocery chain H Mart.

In Jericho, one usually busy Waldbaum's is now barren, with empty shelves and signs that the entire store is up to 50 percent off.

The Jericho location is set to close just several day before Thanksgiving. H Mart placed a bid on the location, but it has not been finalized yet, due to disputes over hiring previous Waldbaum's workers, 1010 WINS' Holli Haerr reported.

Many local regulars and employees at the neighborhood location still don't know what they're planning to do.

One part-time Waldbaum's employee said it's tough coming to work as the fate of the location still remains up in the air.

"It's just depressing because the shelves are empty -- it's hard," he said.

Another employee expressed uncertainty about his future if the store does close.

"Currently I don't have anything lined up," Adam, another employee, said.

Five A&P locations in Long Island closed in October, with 33 locations sold or bid on so far. Thirteen stores still remain unsold. One Waldbaums in Bayside, Queens was bought out to be replaced by a Stop N' Shop.