Albertsons/Safeway 2018 & 2019: Openings and Closings

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Re: Albertsons/Safeway 2018 & 2019: Openings and Closings

Post by arizonaguy »

storewanderer wrote: January 14th, 2019, 10:39 pm Thornydale Safeway in Tucson is closing. I thought that store was slated for a relocation/replacement...

This is a former Abco that never got a Lifestyle remodel. Low volume operation for a while...
Wasn't Safeway going to build a replacement store across the street at one point?

There's a Bashas' about a mile south of this store and several Fry's stores in the area including a newer Marketplace store a few miles north.
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Re: Albertsons/Safeway 2018 & 2019: Openings and Closings

Post by architect »

Not official yet, but the Randalls at Exposition Blvd and Lake Austin Blvd in Austin will likely be closing over the coming months as the property's lease comes up for renewal. UT Austin owns the property, and as of now, intends to lease it to HEB.

This property is a tight squeeze, but would likely be an excellent location for a two-level HEB. The existing Randalls store was originally opened by Safeway in the 70's before being converted to Appletree and then Randalls; it is definitely showing it's age and is drastically undersized for the amount of traffic it pulls.

https://www.statesman.com/news/20190226 ... est-austin
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Re: Albertsons/Safeway 2018 & 2019: Openings and Closings

Post by storewanderer »

architect wrote: February 27th, 2019, 8:25 am Not official yet, but the Randalls at Exposition Blvd and Lake Austin Blvd in Austin will likely be closing over the coming months as the property's lease comes up for renewal. UT Austin owns the property, and as of now, intends to lease it to HEB.

This property is a tight squeeze, but would likely be an excellent location for a two-level HEB. The existing Randalls store was originally opened by Safeway in the 70's before being converted to Appletree and then Randalls; it is definitely showing it's age and is drastically undersized for the amount of traffic it pulls.

https://www.statesman.com/news/20190226 ... est-austin
It appears the chain saw this coming as this store did not receive the lighting fiasco enhancements.

Interesting UT Austin is going to negotiate with 7-Eleven to remain in its spot but does not appear to be negotiating with Randalls. I wonder who walked away from the table on this one.

This seems like just the kind of store you want to keep. Hard to duplicate location, captive audience (students), small simple size (low ceilings too- must be great for heating and AC bills)...
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Re: Albertsons/Safeway 2018 & 2019: Openings and Closings

Post by architect »

storewanderer wrote: February 27th, 2019, 8:36 pm
architect wrote: February 27th, 2019, 8:25 am Not official yet, but the Randalls at Exposition Blvd and Lake Austin Blvd in Austin will likely be closing over the coming months as the property's lease comes up for renewal. UT Austin owns the property, and as of now, intends to lease it to HEB.

This property is a tight squeeze, but would likely be an excellent location for a two-level HEB. The existing Randalls store was originally opened by Safeway in the 70's before being converted to Appletree and then Randalls; it is definitely showing it's age and is drastically undersized for the amount of traffic it pulls.

https://www.statesman.com/news/20190226 ... est-austin
It appears the chain saw this coming as this store did not receive the lighting fiasco enhancements.

Interesting UT Austin is going to negotiate with 7-Eleven to remain in its spot but does not appear to be negotiating with Randalls. I wonder who walked away from the table on this one.

This seems like just the kind of store you want to keep. Hard to duplicate location, captive audience (students), small simple size (low ceilings too- must be great for heating and AC bills)...
Actually, the store in question at 715 South Exposition Blvd received not only one, but two lighting hackjobs at the hands of Albertsons. The first one which was completed within the first year or two after the Albertsons merger simply added additional lighting strips over the produce/bakery/deli areas. Then a year or so later, additional lighting was added around the front end and the pharmacy. In both cases, the fixtures were the 70's style tacky strips typical of Albertsons, but the fixtures differ slightly (the first ones were the fixtures used across the majority of drop-ceiling Houston Randalls locations, while the second type are common in DFW Tom Thumbs). The ceiling in this store is actually decently high, and features a raised ceiling over the checklanes typical of many 60's-70's Safeway locations. The exterior side walls of the store also feature Safeway's signature pebble-texture from the time period.

Overall, the store is still in good shape and is of a decent size on its own, but is simply inadequate considering the traffic it pulls and has clearly seen little investment from Albertsons in a while outside of lighting. Considering HEB's willingness to invest in multi-story locations in tight urban sites (they have several urban stores open in Houston/San Antonio already, with several more in the works), UT likely hoped that by leasing the site to HEB, that it would receive a modern store which is actually adequate for the surrounding neighborhood (quite a bit of student housing is nearby) while also increasing income from sales at the property. In addition, with Albertsons Texas future somewhat in flux at this point (particularly regarding Randalls), HEB is likely considered far less risky from UT's standpoint.

Question, are you potentially confusing the store in question with the store further up Exposition at 2727 Exposition Blvd? That Randalls has the extremely low ceilings you mentioned, and is definitely one of the 2-3 smallest Albertsons-owned locations in Texas. It also received new florescent light strips in the majority of its perimeter under Safeway, so it actually looks quite presentable throughout. The only Albertsons-added lighting in this store is at one of the front corners over beer/wine; it looks horribly out of place as the fixtures sit directly in line which the far more attractive Safeway-era lighting (visible in this photo: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Randa ... 6389?hl=en). During my visits to this location, I am always amazed that it remains open simply due to its size alone and its perceived low traffic, but maybe it receives quite a bit of traffic in the evenings from nearby residents?
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Re: Albertsons/Safeway 2018 & 2019: Openings and Closings

Post by architect »

architect wrote: February 27th, 2019, 8:25 am Not official yet, but the Randalls at Exposition Blvd and Lake Austin Blvd in Austin will likely be closing over the coming months as the property's lease comes up for renewal. UT Austin owns the property, and as of now, intends to lease it to HEB.

This property is a tight squeeze, but would likely be an excellent location for a two-level HEB. The existing Randalls store was originally opened by Safeway in the 70's before being converted to Appletree and then Randalls; it is definitely showing it's age and is drastically undersized for the amount of traffic it pulls.

https://www.statesman.com/news/20190226 ... est-austin
Here is the link for the university's RFP for both sites. Based on the wording of the RFP, it appears that the end of the Randalls lease and the reverting of the property/building to the university is a done deal, while the university could elect to retain the existing 7 Eleven as is. Also, the term length for the new lessee will likely be a 40 year term.

https://realestate.utexas.edu/sites/rea ... Austin.pdf
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Re: Albertsons/Safeway 2018 & 2019: Openings and Closings

Post by storewanderer »

architect wrote: March 1st, 2019, 6:17 pm
storewanderer wrote: February 27th, 2019, 8:36 pm
architect wrote: February 27th, 2019, 8:25 am Not official yet, but the Randalls at Exposition Blvd and Lake Austin Blvd in Austin will likely be closing over the coming months as the property's lease comes up for renewal. UT Austin owns the property, and as of now, intends to lease it to HEB.

This property is a tight squeeze, but would likely be an excellent location for a two-level HEB. The existing Randalls store was originally opened by Safeway in the 70's before being converted to Appletree and then Randalls; it is definitely showing it's age and is drastically undersized for the amount of traffic it pulls.

https://www.statesman.com/news/20190226 ... est-austin
It appears the chain saw this coming as this store did not receive the lighting fiasco enhancements.

Interesting UT Austin is going to negotiate with 7-Eleven to remain in its spot but does not appear to be negotiating with Randalls. I wonder who walked away from the table on this one.

This seems like just the kind of store you want to keep. Hard to duplicate location, captive audience (students), small simple size (low ceilings too- must be great for heating and AC bills)...
Actually, the store in question at 715 South Exposition Blvd received not only one, but two lighting hackjobs at the hands of Albertsons. The first one which was completed within the first year or two after the Albertsons merger simply added additional lighting strips over the produce/bakery/deli areas. Then a year or so later, additional lighting was added around the front end and the pharmacy. In both cases, the fixtures were the 70's style tacky strips typical of Albertsons, but the fixtures differ slightly (the first ones were the fixtures used across the majority of drop-ceiling Houston Randalls locations, while the second type are common in DFW Tom Thumbs). The ceiling in this store is actually decently high, and features a raised ceiling over the checklanes typical of many 60's-70's Safeway locations. The exterior side walls of the store also feature Safeway's signature pebble-texture from the time period.

Overall, the store is still in good shape and is of a decent size on its own, but is simply inadequate considering the traffic it pulls and has clearly seen little investment from Albertsons in a while outside of lighting. Considering HEB's willingness to invest in multi-story locations in tight urban sites (they have several urban stores open in Houston/San Antonio already, with several more in the works), UT likely hoped that by leasing the site to HEB, that it would receive a modern store which is actually adequate for the surrounding neighborhood (quite a bit of student housing is nearby) while also increasing income from sales at the property. In addition, with Albertsons Texas future somewhat in flux at this point (particularly regarding Randalls), HEB is likely considered far less risky from UT's standpoint.

Question, are you potentially confusing the store in question with the store further up Exposition at 2727 Exposition Blvd? That Randalls has the extremely low ceilings you mentioned, and is definitely one of the 2-3 smallest Albertsons-owned locations in Texas. It also received new florescent light strips in the majority of its perimeter under Safeway, so it actually looks quite presentable throughout. The only Albertsons-added lighting in this store is at one of the front corners over beer/wine; it looks horribly out of place as the fixtures sit directly in line which the far more attractive Safeway-era lighting (visible in this photo: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Randa ... 6389?hl=en). During my visits to this location, I am always amazed that it remains open simply due to its size alone and its perceived low traffic, but maybe it receives quite a bit of traffic in the evenings from nearby residents?
It looks like I was looking at the wrong store the first time...

I wonder if Randalls even tried to continue a lease on this site?
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Re: Albertsons/Safeway 2018 & 2019: Openings and Closings

Post by storewanderer »

Safeway Glenwood Springs, CO closing. Non-Lifestyle former Smiths. Not sure when Safeway took it over but I think it was in the 90's.

Only 54 employees and for a store with a full host of departments (Starbucks, pharmacy, bakery, deli, meat, produce) this place must have been an extremely low volume operation to have such a low headcount.

Safeway Denver Division continues its slide. Perhaps the worst run division in the chain. The stores just feel sad and anemic. Based on visits on my two trips to Denver last year, the situation is not good for them. Despite pricing changes that seem to bring them better in line with Kroger and some very strong ads, the stores are just... the stores feel "off." Fresh departments don't look very fresh, floors don't look very clean (don't think they are using wax)... pathetic division.

This leaves Glenwood Springs with City Market, Natural Grocers, Wal Mart Supercenter, and Target.
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Re: Albertsons/Safeway 2018 & 2019: Openings and Closings

Post by edecker »

Bailey's Crossroads Safeway (#1462) in Falls Church, VA, set to close June 25th. The store underwent a change over/refresh about 6 months ago moving to a Hispanic set up while still keeping much of the Lifestyle design. An Aldi is moving into the adjacent shopping center where a Babies R Us once was.

https://annandaleva.blogspot.com/2019/0 ... feway.html
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Re: Albertsons/Safeway 2018 & 2019: Openings and Closings

Post by storewanderer »

edecker wrote: May 1st, 2019, 9:07 pm Bailey's Crossroads Safeway (#1462) in Falls Church, VA, set to close June 25th. The store underwent a change over/refresh about 6 months ago moving to a Hispanic set up while still keeping much of the Lifestyle design. An Aldi is moving into the adjacent shopping center where a Babies R Us once was.

https://annandaleva.blogspot.com/2019/0 ... feway.html
What did this hispanic format entail?

Lots of Google photos of this store with lines stretching down the aisles... doesn't appear to be any shortage of foot traffic.
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Re: Albertsons/Safeway 2018 & 2019: Openings and Closings

Post by storewanderer »

edecker wrote: May 1st, 2019, 9:07 pm Bailey's Crossroads Safeway (#1462) in Falls Church, VA, set to close June 25th. The store underwent a change over/refresh about 6 months ago moving to a Hispanic set up while still keeping much of the Lifestyle design. An Aldi is moving into the adjacent shopping center where a Babies R Us once was.

https://annandaleva.blogspot.com/2019/0 ... feway.html
I took a look at this store and beyond a larger than usual display for "bolillos" 59 cents in bakery, it seemed to just be a standard Lifestyle Safeway. Maybe they already scrapped the Hispanic concept. It is a larger than average store and sits quite a ways back from the main road. Too far back. Looks like a real estate mistake in the 90's that is finally now getting put to rest.

I noticed it had "Drive Up and Go." Odd they would spend on putting that technology into a failing store.
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