Quality Market to be closed or sold

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - This is the worst kind of news you can hear just before Thanksgiving.

The bankrupt parent company of Quality Markets will close or sell all thirteen of its western New York stores early next year.

A week after filing for Chapter 11, Penn Traffic announced it plans to cease operations in the supermarket business. That means it's the end of the line for the thirteen Quality Markets in western New York.

Penn Traffic is blaming several factors for the shut down, including the deep recession, and competition from other supermarkets, gas stations and pharmacies. It's hard to compete against Tops and Wegmans.

The shutdown is terrible news for the employees who are not allowed to go on camera. But many people told News 4 it was the attention to customer service they liked the most.

One Quality Market shopper, Richard Phillips, said, "Terrible. This was our favorite store. No question about it."

His wife Bee added, "I'm going to miss it too because it was real convenient. I could stop here on the way home from work."

Penn Traffic issued a statement saying it's working to find more money to stay in business, or even an offer to sell the company. The stores have a loyal customer base.

Carol Martin, another shopper, said, "I've had a lot of experience here in the last 15 years. When I was sick, they got me a chair, put me in the chair, brought me orange juice. They're just wonderful here."

"I'm pretty upset by that. It's right down the street from me. Convenience then, yes," said Lori Horn, another Quality Market customer.

Quality Market does not have a big footprint in the Buffalo metro area, but in smaller places, like this store in Ellicottville, it's the only supermarket for residences.

If a new deal is not hammered out, the stores will close in February.