NORWICH – The future of the downtown P&C grocery remains uncertain as Tops nears the end of its 30-day evaluation of former Penn Traffic stores.

While no decision has been made in regards to the Norwich store, Tops announced on February 18 the first New York State store-closing, a P&C in Hornell.

Tops Markets completed a court-approved acquisition of a majority of Penn Traffic’s assets on Jan. 29, according to Communications and Public Relations Manager Katie McKenna, including 79 supermarkets over a four-state area, including the local P&C on East Main Street.

The Hornell P&C will close its doors on March 20. Criteria used in the evaluation process of the store included economic viability, current store condition and the ability for the store to successfully compete in the marketplace, stated McKenna.

Local residents, and P&C employees, continue to ponder the fate of the local grocery, which provides services to those without transportation and the downtown community in general. Store Manager Larry Lash said he has not been informed of any closing plans, and would not comment further.