MONTVALE, NJ – The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company Inc. (A&P) filed a motion with the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York seeking approval to close 14 stores in four states as the company prepares to emerge from Chapter 11. If the motion is allowed, the company anticipates all store closings to be completed in the fiscal first quarter.

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