The mayor of Gloucester, Massachusetts, has written a letter to the Market Basket board of directors urging them to resolve the current "crisis" because it is having a widespread impact on the community.

"It was not even 5 years ago that we in Gloucester cut a ribbon and celebrated the opening of a long-awaited Market Basket grocery store in our community," Mayor Carolyn Kirk said in the Aug. 20 letter. "I'm sure all residents in Gloucester join me in urging the Board to bring a resolution to this business crisis, restore the jobs, protect Gloucester Crossing, and maintain a beneficial competitive environment for the families and citizens of Gloucester."

Kirk said she met with the director of the Gloucester store, who told her that 245 employees have lost their jobs. She said many of them are elderly residents and students trying to pay their way through school.

Several local vendors have also been affected, as Market Basket is no longer buying from them. And neighboring businesses say they are seeing less traffic as well.