A & P Service Counter

Q: Years ago I purchased an oak A & P service counter from a corner grocery store in Clifton, N.J. It’s 36 inches high and 10 feet long and has 21 drawers and 21 glass-enclosed pasta displays. Do you think it’s valuable?

A: A&P, a chain of grocery stores that was once the largest in the country, started out as the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. By the end of the 19th century, it had become the first grocery store chain in the United States. The value of your counter depends on its age and condition. If it dates from the early 1900s and is in great condition, it could sell for more than $1,000—perhaps much more. But there is always the issue of shipping. If you want to sell, contact an auction house that deals with early advertising and store items.