SYRACUSE -- The potential loss of a local supermarket chain is raising concerns in several communities. For the third time in ten years, Syracuse-based Penn Traffic Co., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Penn Traffic is the parent company of P & C and the company sent out a letter this week to local community leaders warning them that the company could be forced to shut down its stores.
Pulaski is one of several communities in Central New York where the P and C is the only supermarket in town. Grace Shelter, who shops at the P and C in Pulaski, worries she will have to drive to other towns for food. " I don't really care about going to Wal-Mart all the time. I like the meat here and the produce better. So I would really hate to see it close down. Pulaski would have nothing for a grocery store," she says.
Pulaski's mayor Ernie Wheeler says the loss of the store would be a blow to the town's economy. " My concern is that people would have to travel to Oswego to Watertown to Central Square. If they close down people are going to be losing jobs," he says.
Penn Traffic says if it can not come up with the financing or a buyer it will be forced to shutdown its stores on February 15th. The company employs 5,700 people.
