Locally owned and operated grocer New Seasons Market is coming to Vancouver.
Earlier this week, the company announced plans to move into a 40,000-square-foot space – formally home to an Albertsons – at the intersection of Southeast 164th Avenue and McGillivray Boulevard.
“Over the years we have received more requests for a store in Vancouver than any other area,” said Lisa Sedlar, CEO of New Seasons Market in a prepared statement. “We are very happy to bring the ‘Friendliest Store in Town’ to the Fisher’s Landing neighborhood and the surrounding Vancouver community.”
Sedlar said New Seasons will be scheduling meetings with its new neighbors to brainstorm what features they’d like to see in the store as the company works through the design process.
“We look forward to hearing everyone’s ideas on how we can make the store easy and fun to shop,” she said.
Jim Rettig, owner of Cactus Ya Ya, a Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard restaurant that pulls in much of its customer traffic from 164th, said the addition of New Seasons will be a big boost to the entire neighborhood.
“That old Albertson’s location is in a nice visible spot,” said Rettig. “We’ve needed to get a good tenant in there for a while. This will be great for everyone.”
Tualatin-based Gramor Development is currently conducting a makeover of the shopping center.
“New Seasons Market’s fresh and locally sourced products along with their unique, community-focused business model has a large and very loyal customer base, they are unlike any other grocer currently in Vancouver,” said Barry Cain, president of Gramor Development. “We are excited that this cooperative partnership is bringing the first New Seasons Market in Washington to this growing community.”
The market said its Fisher’s Landing location will create approximately 175 jobs. The store is scheduled to open in late 2011.
