NEW BRITAIN, Conn. -- The publisher of The Herald of New Britain and the Bristol Press has told employees that the two newspapers could go out of business by January unless buyers step forward.

Both daily newspapers, which date back to the late 1800s, are owned by the struggling Journal Register Co.

Edward Gunderson, publisher of The Herald and the Press, told staff in a memo on Monday that "in the event that there is no buyer, then we anticipate the facility will be shut down. ... You will not have the right to displace other employees."

Marcie Jones said she was worked in the classifieds section of the New Britain Herald for the past 27 years, and doesn't know what she'll do if she's suddenly out of work.

"I'm kind of old to look for another job," she said. "I don't know what I'm going to do."

The Journal Register's stock fell so low earlier this year that it was de-listed from the stock market and was trading at a penny a share this week.

Bristol Mayor Art Ward said he understands the economic reality, but still calls losing a hometown paper devastating,

"It's a major factor in the community, making people aware of what's going on, and the total process, and I think without that, it leaves a big void," he said.

Employees said they are still hopefull that a buyer will come from somewhere and save the paper and their jobs, just as the Journal Register company saved The Herald from an earlier shutdown.

"Somebody bought The Herald before and we're hoping it will happen again, and we'll have a new owner and we'll still be here," said employee Dave Gumbus.

Gunderson declined to comment Tuesday.

Journal Register also owns the New Haven Register, The Middletown Press, The Register Citizen of Torrington, 17 weekly newspapers in Connecticut and Connecticut Magazine.

Ward said he plans to reach out to Tim Steward, the mayor of New Britain on Wednesday to see if they can develop a joint-strategy to save their papers.