The fierce

grocery wars claimed another victim this week as A &

P announced it was leaving the Atlanta market.

The chain

has 34 stores scattered throughout the metro area and

plans to sell 14 of the stores to Publix and Harris

Teeter. The other 20 stores will be closed by the

beginning of the summer, said company officials.

Locally, A

& P in Peachtree City will convert to a Harris Teeter

said employees learned of the news early Monday morning.

While he couldn't provide a specific date, Beaty expects

the store to close by the beginning of the summer.

The store,

located in the Peachtree Crossing Center, was originally

a Big Star grocery store. Long-time city residents

remember when Big Star came to town and was the city's

first chain grocery store. Now, the city features two

Kroger stores and a Publix. When Harris Teeter moves to

town, residents will discover a decidedly upscale store

that would seem to fit perfect with the city's

demographics.

The chain's

retreat from the market marks the second large chain to

leave the metro area. Earlier this decade, Birmingham,

Ala.-based Bruno's left the market after not being able

to dent Kroger's market share.