It's tough times for home-grown supermarket chain Bashas', which is closing 10 of its 156 Arizona Bashas' and Food City stores (seven located in the Valley) on July 21.

The Chandler-based company filed for bankruptcy protection yesterday, reports the Republic.

Up to 1,000 employees may be laid off as a result of the looming closures. And beyond job losses, the closures will inevitably be hard on the neighborhoods that are losing their local grocery stores.

Nothing like a big, boarded up buildings and empty parking lots to usher in the blight.  

• Chow Bella