(Photo courtesy of Haggen Pacific Northwest)
Haggen Food & Pharmacy took ownership of the Bend Albertsons at 61155 S Hwy 97 and the Bend Albertsons at 1800 NE Third Street. The stores will temporarily be closed while the conversion takes place beginning May 10. In June Haggen is inviting community members who are interested in partnering with the brand to meet with company leaders. Local farmers and producers can discuss selling their wares on Haggen’s shelves, non-profit organizations can learn about Haggen’s community giving and small businesses can explore co-marketing programs.
The Pacific Northwest grocery chain Haggen acquired 146 stores as part of the divestment process brought about by the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) review of the Albertson’s LLC and Safeway merger. With this acquisition Haggen will expand from 18 stores with 16 pharmacies to 164 stores with 106 pharmacies, from 2,000 employees to more than 10,000 employees and from a Pacific Northwest company with locations in Oregon and Washington to a major regional grocery chain with locations in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona.
The company will be led by CEOs John Clougher and Bill Shaner. Clougher, CEO, Pacific Northwest, will have primary responsibility for the northern division of Washington and Oregon. Shaner, CEO, Pacific Southwest, will have primary responsibility for the southern division of California, Nevada and Arizona. The two will work together to steward the company’s commitment to its employees, customers, business partners and stakeholders.
Haggen plans to convert all of the acquired Albertsons and Safeway stores to the Haggen banner in phases during the first half of 2015. All Albertson’s LLC and Safeway store employees will have the opportunity to become employees of Haggen as their individual stores are transitioned to the Haggen banner. Haggen plans to retain the current store management teams.
LOCAL TEMPORARY STORE CLOSURES
Bend Albertsons at 61155 S. Hwy 97
• 6:00 pm, Sunday May 10 – Bend Albertsons Store closes
• 12:01 am, Monday, May 11- Haggen takes ownership of the store
• 4:00 pm*, Tuesday, May 12 – Store opens as Haggen (*Opening time is tentative)
• NOTE: The pharmacy will remain open during the conversion starting late morning May 11
Bend Albertsons at 1800 NE 3rd Street
• 6:00 pm, Tuesday May 12 – Bend Albertsons Store closes
• 12:01 am, Wednesday May 13 Haggen takes ownership of the store
• 4:00 pm*, Thursday May 14 – Store opens as Haggen (*Opening time is tentative)
COMMUNITY MEETING
Haggen’s commitment to being local extends beyond its sourcing and into the communities around its stores. To get to know its neighbors and these neighborhoods better, Haggen is inviting community members who are interested in partnering with the brand to meet with company leaders soon after the conversions of the acquired stores. At these informal, public meetings, local farmers and producers can discuss selling their wares on Haggen’s shelves, non-profit organizations can learn about Haggen’s community giving, and small businesses can explore co-marketing programs. “We hope community members will join us for a fun evening to learn about how we can work together to strengthen our community,” said John Clougher, Haggen CEO, Pacific NW.
• Who: Local Farmers, Food Producers, Non-profit Leaders, Community Members
• When: 5 – 6pm, Thursday, June 25
• Where: Central Oregon Community College – Hitchcock Auditorium, 2600 NW College Way, Bend
With each store opening, Haggen plans to partner with five local non-profits. Haggen is donating $1,000 to a single organization the when the store opens. Several months after the store is converted, Haggen will donate 2 percent of sales on four consecutive Saturdays to four local, non-profit organizations.
Founded in 1933, Haggen, Inc. is one of the Pacific Northwest’s leading grocery chains. The Bellingham, Washington-based company operates stores in Washington and Oregon under the Haggen Northwest Fresh banner. It is the state’s sixth-largest private company with the majority of shares owned by Comvest Partners. Haggen is dedicated to providing its guests with the best of the Northwest. For more than 80 years, it has supported regional farms, ranches, fisheries and other businesses, creating a lasting and sustainable local food economy. Haggen is also deeply rooted in the communities it serves, providing support to local events and partnerships.
For more information about what’s happening at Haggen, visit haggen.com.
