Three Jersey Shore Grocery Stores Closing

The parent company of A&P, Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection and plans on selling 120 stores. 

The Montvale-based chain operates 296 supermarkets under various banners and plans on closing the Pathmark at 1256 Indian Head Road in Toms River, as well as the A&P stores in Holmdel and Aberdeen, in the coming months. No specific date has been given.

It's the second time in five years the chain has filed for bankruptcy. A&P owes money to more than 100,000 creditors, according to company officials.

The company statement said the closures are part of a larger restructuring that includes asset-purchase agreements covering about 120 stores at a purchase price of about $600 million. USA Today reported about 12,500 employees work at those locations.

The company employs about 28,500 people, many of them New Jersey residents,  according to northjersey.com.