Ortley Beach Supermarket Will Gain Acme Label

Shoppers who frequent the Ortley Beach A&P will have to get used to the store having a new name: the A&P at Ortley Plaza is among 76 stores that are being purchased by ACME Markets, the company announced.

ACME announced its offer to buy the stores Tuesday, a day after it was announced that the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company -- the parent company of A&P, Superfresh and Pathmark stores -- was selling off stores as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing.

The ACME news release notes the offer is subject to customary legal and bankruptcy court approvals, including the potential for higher bids to be submitted and anti-trust approval. A&P has asked the court for an order requiring other bidders to submit their bids by Sept. 11, with an expectation that court approval for the sale of the stores would be received by Oct. 15.

ACME Markets, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AB Acquisition LLC (Albertsons Companies), operates 107 stores across Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey. ACME Markets was acquired by Albertsons in 20134, the release notes.

“The transaction, if completed, would expand the ACME Markets footprint in a strategic and vibrant market and build upon A&P’s rich history of delivering quality products and services in the neighborhoods they serve,” the release said.