Benjy Egel
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Both Albertsons grocery stores in San Luis Obispo closed Tuesday night at 6 p.m. When they reopen Thursday at 4 p.m., the sign out front will advertise for Haggen, a health food supermarket slowly expanding across California.
Haggen (pronounced HAY-gen) will offer a number of traditional products as well as healthier foods, according to Barney Davaris, the store director for the Albertsons on Foothill Boulevard. The other store being converted is located on Johnson Avenue.
“We’re going to have a lot of name-brand stuff still,” Davaris said. “We’re also going to have a lot of gluten-free, organic things.”
Davaris and the rest of the staff at both Albertsons will be retained after Haggen takes over, he said.
One condition of Albertsons’ Jan. 30 merger with Safeway was that the chain needed to consolidate by giving up a few stores. Haggen, which originated in Bellingham, Washington, opened up its first California store in a former Albertsons in Carlsbad, near San Diego.
Albertsons in Atascadero, Lompoc and Arroyo Grande will also become Haggen, Davaris said. The stores in Paso Robles and Morro Bay will stay as they are.
Looks like yet another overpriced store selling food that gives the illusion of being healthier, more business for Smart & Final and Food4Less.
They better still have express meals.