storewanderer wrote: ↑May 2nd, 2024, 12:13 am
rwsandiego wrote: ↑May 1st, 2024, 9:37 pm
ClownLoach wrote: ↑May 1st, 2024, 4:09 pm
For those who don't know, this may be one of the most unusual supermarkets in America. It is two separate buildings with a open, gated courtyard linking the two halves of the store.
Concern is there is a large Ralphs not terribly far away in Point Loma. May be the newest Ralphs in the chain?
I'm sure they would try to keep both but not sure if it would happen.
The Liberty Public Market store could easily have been a Pavilions. Point Loma is certainly wealthy enough to support the store.
As far as it being sold/not being sold, I think it could be retained. There is a small Ralphs down the street from VONS that would likely be sold. It is located in the old VONS building. Teeny tiny store. They do have a nice selection of fresh foods, though.
The VONS on Midway Drive (essentially across the street from Ralphs on Sports Arena loading dock) will most definitely be sold.
The small Ralphs in the former Vons is basically a QFC Store... also has fuel station across the street that Ralphs bought from a 76 operator. But I don't think the store does all that well; it probably does enough for its size. That Vons closed when Liberty Vons opened (it was a relocation store for Vons).
I consider the Liberty Vons to be sort of like the Long Beach Airport. Elements that are typically "connected" are not connected and end up outside. I really like the design. The Liberty Vons could merchandise a lot of items outside- produce, floral, some light seasonal items, and they do to some extent, but they could do it a lot better and are limited by Safeway's merchandising rules and mix. There is a lot that could be done with that space outside. I'd also install windows or rolling window doors on both sides that open to the "outside middle" and open them up during a lot of the time so the store felt like it was literally "inside and outside" but still all flowed together. The challenge I notice with that store is it seems like a lot of customers do not shop "both sides" of the store. I do not like how you have the left side of the store with fresh items that feels very open and nice but then the right side of the store with center store is not all that spacious and flows poorly inside and feels like you are in an outdated undersized store. The parking situation is an issue. I am not sure that store performs all that well. I expect it to be divested. I also expect it is very high rent. I think a more upscale operator could do some very nice things with that store. Wrong location but think of an ethnic format- they could do cooking demos outside, have a large seating area outside to support the food service operation, etc. A more upscale format could do that type of thing too with the space.
I agree they can do more with it, but I don't think anyone will. Safeway was willing to take the risk and innovate here and basically create almost a full scale version of the old Catalina Island operations but all on one property. I'm not sure it worked out, and I would have followed the process Target does with multi story buildings and figure out how to more logically split the assortment. This would "force" the customer through both buildings while operating in a logical manner so that they won't find themselves going back and forth. I think there are some limits that are set by the historic nature of the building, I agree the center outdoors should have an open air feel but some kind of roof constructed for shade and rain so merchandising can be out there. Even if it was just the entire floral department. Plus California is a tad more difficult on their food prep area standards which is why you see drop ceilings or other solid, wipeable surfaces over kitchens and more enclosed kitchen spaces versus when you go out of the state. Sidewalk merchandising standards are also different which is why you can go to some states and find outdoor displays of produce but not here. They probably would not be allowed to construct a permanent outdoor area for cooking demos without a full enclosure even though I agree it would be great. If this property was in Washington state it would be handled in a totally different way and could look like a mini Pike Place.
Unfortunately I think if this merger goes through this store goes to C&S to die. I think unfortunately it is too different and will be too difficult for someone to wrap their head around, and too costly to make major changes.
The only SoCal format I can think of that could possibly work here is the latest version of Lazy Acres which is currently only in their new Los Feliz store and their Long Beach after a total gut remodel that took almost a year and replaced every part of what was only a ten year old store inside. Their minimal center store, beer/wine, and vitamins could fit in the current "center aisle building" without as much tall racking, thus opening up the building dramatically and making it feel more open. All their fresh options could fit in the left half. They could do the expanded cafe seating outside and would likely add more prepared food options that would fill that space. Lazy Acres already has a couple stores in San Diego and the Encinitas one seems to be successful. Not sure how the other one in Mission Hills is doing but I think it is less successful, and would be a better comparison to this site.
