Bashas’ on Navajo to remain in business

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — None of the Bashas’ grocery stores on the Navajo Nation are expected to close as a result of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court that was announced by the Bashas’ Family of Stores Monday.

While a Navajo Nation Shopping Center official said that she had not heard anything, The Associated Press reported that the closures will mostly be in the Phoenix area with other stores in Page, Green Valley and Prescott also set to close.

Bashas’ is planning to close 10 stores July 21 and is expecting to eliminate about 1,000 jobs. The Bashas’ Family of Stores includes Food City, AJ’s Fine Foods and Bashas’ Diné Market.

There are Bashas’ stores in Window Rock, Tuba City, Dilkon, Piñon, Crownpoint and Kayenta, the Navajo Nation Shopping Center official said.

Bashas’ has financial backing and has obtained a debtor in possession loan commitment for $45 million to continue operations, according to Kristy Nied, a spokeswoman for Bashas’ Family of Stores.

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