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The 21 Sav-A-Center grocery stores in the greater New Orleans area could be sold as soon as October although potential bidders are still competing.
The Sav-A-Centers are owned by Montvale, N.J.-based Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., which wants one purchaser for all locations, including 19 in the New Orleans area. The other two are in Mississippi.
"It's always been our objective and focus to sell the stores as one unit," said A&P Executive Chairman Christian Haub. "At this point, I have no reason to believe we won't sell the business as one."
Some local bidders would rather buy just a few of the available stores. For them, buying all 21 Sav-A-Centers would be too costly or not make geographic sense.
One buyer scenario includes a consortium of independent grocers such as Breaux Mart and Zuppardo's Family Supermarket.
Barry Breaux, owner...