Phoenix Hometown Grocer in Trouble
Monday July 13, 2009
Bashas' has announced that they are filing for bankruptcy protection and closing ten Arizona stores. Bashas' is the largest locally owned grocery chain in Arizona. The company owns the Bashas' grocery stores, Food City stores and the AJ's Fine Foods brand.
© Judy Hedding
Of the ten stores that were announced to be closed, seven were in the greater Phoenix area. The Bashas' stores scheduled to close on July 21, 2009 are Chandler Blvd and Kyrene, Chandler; Tatum and Bell, Phoenix; Cooper and Ray, Chandler; and Greenfield and Baseline, Gilbert. The Food City stores in the Phoenix area that will close are 43rd and Glendale, Glendale; 16th and Mohave, Phoenix; and 43rd Avenue and Thomas, Phoenix. Outside of the metro area, three stores -- in Green Valley, Prescott and Page -- will be closed.
© Judy Hedding
It has been a challenge for Bashas' to continue to compete with large chains and big box stores like Wal-Mart, and to offset efforts by labor unions to hurt their business, but they say they are not going away. This bankruptcy filing and slimming down of underperforming stores is a strategic move to keep the company viable and restructure its debt and leases.
Bashas' has about 150 stores in Arizona. I think I'll stop by a Bashas' store today. I especially like the stores that have the large, health food departments. And did you know that some of the stores even offer childcare while you shop?
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