Haggen to convert Shoreline Safeway in February, LFP Albertsons in June

The Aurora Safeway will be among the first
stores to be converted to the Haggen banner

Pacific Northwest grocery chain Haggen took ownership of the Albertsons store in Monroe, Washington, at 12:01am Thursday morning and began the process of acquiring and converting 146 stores nationwide, with 26 in Washington, including one each in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. 

John Clougher, Haggen CEO Pacific Northwest, said, “We’re excited about the changes we’re making to enhance these stores, and we’re confident customers will like the new look, the new offerings, and their new full-service grocery destination.” 

Haggen will convert the 26 stores across Washington in February, March and June, based on the following tentative schedule:

February

· Monroe (19881 SR 2; former Albertsons)
· Port Angeles (114 E Lauridsen Blvd.; former Albertsons)
· Wenatchee (1128 N Miller; former Albertsons)
· Shoreline (15332 Aurora Ave. North; former Safeway)

March

15 stores in Washington, mostly in the Puget Sound area, from Puyallup to Everett, are scheduled for March.

June

· Lake Forest Park (17171 Bothell Way Northeast; former Albertsons)
· Burien (15840 1st Ave. South; former Albertsons)
· Renton (14215 SE Petrovitsky Rd.; former Albertsons)
· Bremerton (2900 Wheaton Way ; former Albertsons)
· Milton (2800 Milton Way; former Albertsons)
· Federal Way (31009 Pacific Hwy South; former Albertsons)
· Liberty Lake (1233 N. Liberty Lake Road; former Safeway)

The amount of time it will take to convert each store will vary. Some stores can be converted within two days after the change of ownership, while others will take longer. Both interior and exterior signage will change at all locations.

Clougher noted that the store offering will also change. “Haggen has built its 81-year-old business on providing excellent, locally sourced, fresh produce and high quality meats and seafood. That focus will definitely be reflected in the new stores.”

Opportunity for local farmers, producers, and non-profits to meet Haggen leaders

Haggen’s commitment to being local extends beyond its sourcing and into the communities around its stores. To get to know its neighbors and these neighborhoods better, Haggen is inviting community members that are interested in partnering with the brand to meet with company leaders soon after the conversions of the acquired stores.

At these informal, public meetings, local farmers and producers can discuss selling their wares on Haggen’s shelves, non-profit organizations can learn about Haggen’s community giving, and small businesses can explore co-marketing programs.

“We hope community members will join us for a fun evening to learn about how we can work together to strengthen our community,” said Clougher.

The local meeting for the stores scheduled to be converted in February has been scheduled for 5pm, Thursday, March 12, 2015 at Shoreline Community College.

Charitable donations

Additionally, with each grand opening, Haggen plans to partner with five local non-profits, donating $1,000 to a single organization on the first day the store opens and 2% of sales to four additional organizations on four consecutive Saturdays.

Clougher said, “We have a long history of giving back to the communities we serve. We want to demonstrate that commitment as soon as we open our doors.

About Haggen

Founded in 1933 in Bellingham, Washington, Haggen has built its business on providing guests the freshest and most local products with genuine service, while supporting the communities it serves. The company currently operates stores in Washington and Oregon, and is in the process of acquiring an additional 146 stores. With this acquisition, Haggen will expand from 18 stores with 16 pharmacies to 164 stores with 106 pharmacies; from 2,000 employees to more than 10,000 employees; and from a Pacific Northwest company with locations in Oregon and Washington to a major regional grocery chain with locations in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona. Throughout its eight decades in business, the company has supported regional farms, ranches, fisheries and other businesses, creating a lasting and sustainable local food economy. The company remains focused on building local, sustainable food economies as it expands.

Correction: community meeting is on Thursday.
Updated 02-14-2015 9:45pm