July 29th was the last day the old Safeway was open. They had a few great sales of some things, like fill up a bag of anything that fits from the produce section for $3.00. So there were a lot of bags going out and the produce section was about empty in less than an hour. Since the new store is already open and just a few miles away most could of the other stock be moved.These photos were all taken the next day, the 31st. The store was closed and people from the chain's headquarters were there to basically strip away every evidence that it was once a Safeway.
The next photo shows a worker taking down the storefront lettering that has been up for several decades!
The last two photos show the worker taking down the tall lighted store sign. He 'sawzalled' the plastic front to take out the 10 foot florescent bulbs then just cut up chunks small enough to handle and clear it out.
The new owners of this old building from the 1950's will be remodeling inside and according to the local paper, will be opening again as a "Harvest Foods" store in late September or early October. This is supposed to be a small regional independent grocery chain in this part of the North West.
It is kind of interesting actually. Another independent, Boundary Trading Company had been the newest, largest and most modern store in town and the giant chain store Safeway was in an old and very small building and unable to compete with the new markets, even with the chains own weekly adds, with in store deli and coffee sections. Especially for Safeway which in most areas around here are very large and complete 'super' markets. Now the chain store is the biggest and newest store and the independent is in the small old building.
The last photo shows the banner put up a little later telling everybody that couldn't tell the store is closed that the store is closed!
Till next time, Tad
Comments