Plans for Bensonhurst Waldbaums up in the air

Deal or no deal.

Slated to become a Key Food after the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company’s July Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, Bensonhurst’s Waldbaums (8121 New Utrecht Avenue)—one of 17  stores covered under the asset purchase agreement with Key Food Stores Co-operative Inc.—is up for grabs again.

According to Community Board 11, after a recent auction, the deal for the asset purchase of the store fell through.

“This was a legal proceeding as part of the bankruptcy of A&P,” said Marnee Elias-Pavia, the board’s district manager. “It’s my understanding that there were some legal issues and that the New Utrecht location was not included.”

As this paper previously reported, the bankruptcy filing resulted in A&P closing several of its stores in the New York area and executing purchase agreements for approximately 120 of its stores for the price of $600 million, according to A&P.

Now nearby residents and local elected officials are protesting the loss of a supermarket, and lamenting the closing of the store , set to take place on Thursday, November 19.

Councilmember Vincent Gentile’s office, noting that “The Waldbaums has been a reliable and convenient mainstay in the community for almost 40 years,” confirmed that “There is currently no deal in place for a new supermarket.”

With that in mind, Gentile and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce have scheduled a protest to take place outside the store on its last day. Among those scheduled to attend are Assemblymembers William Colton and Peter Abbate and Councilmember Mark Treyger.

According to the Gentile’s office, the store’s closing will result in over 70 employees losing their jobs.

“This is a great disservice to Waldbaums’ loyal employees and Bensonhurst community members,” the statement continued. “With Thanksgiving fast approaching, Councilman Gentile and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce are prepared to voice their disappointment and call for action.”

Contacted for comment, A&P referred this newspaper to a website containing information on the bidding process.

The rally will take place outside of the Waldbaums at the 18th Avenue parking lot at 2 p.m.