Future of Arbutus Superfresh in Doubt

Superfresh may lay off nearly 1,500 employees in Maryland as soon as July 9, including those working at the supermarket on the 5100-block of East Drive that has been a local landmark for generations.

On Monday, the grocery chain notified state officials that 1,477 employees at 22 stores in Maryland may be laid off.

Last month, Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., the parent company of Superfresh better known as A&P, filed a motion to seek court approval of bidding procedures to sell its 22 stores in Maryland.

As many as 15 potential purchasers have expressed interest in buying stores in a bidding process that will conclude at the end of May.

The manager of the Arbutus Superfresh declined to comment on possible plans for the location and the number of employees who are affected, referring inquiries to corporate headquarters.

Under state law, employers are required to notify state officials when they are planning mass firings, he said. So-called WARN notices are also required to be sent directly to affected employees.

George Murphy Jr., president of United Food & Commercial Workers Local 27, said union members employed at Superfresh first began receiving notices about April 29.

Shoppers at the Arbutus store mourned the passing of Superfresh.

"I'm very dissapointed," says Kate Kroner of Catonsville. "I work around the corner and I shop here often on the way home."

"It's a shame because it's so convenient," says Cheryl Bury of Arbutus. "It'll put a lot of people out of work too."