So there's been a lot more of note around the main level than I was expecting, with some significant changes occurring despite the lack of a decor swap... but the real star of the show, and the reason I revisited this store at all, is downstairs. The lower level is basically a mini Fred Meyer, and it seems that someone wanted its design to reflect that...
Whoa, this is strange. This isn't just strange for a QFC, but it is strange for anything Kroger that I've ever seen outside of a Fred Meyer...which is what this was and still kind of is, lol. But, yeah, this really looks like a European or Asian multi-level department store. Of course, most of those are fancy enough not to be selling potting soil, lol.
ReplyDeleteThis is for AFB as much as it is for you, but there is major Albertsons news out of Hillsboro, OR if you have not heard! The Albertsons, a Grocery Palace Albertsons with newer decor, on the corner of NE 25th Ave & NE Cornell Rd. is currently under the process of turning into a Safeway. I don't know what decor package it'll have, but I would have to assume it will be Lifestyle v3. Now, normally a NW Albertsons turning into a Safeway would not be shocking news, but this is the Albertsons which still has an Albertsons Express C-store/gas station that is operational. Presumably that will get Safeway treatment as well. Link: https://goo.gl/maps/ubjpZZihPce9fnvW7
Interesting that a recent comment (though 4 weeks ago...before the Safeway transition) has someone comparing this store to a Randall's! I wonder if that is a Texan engaging in Albertsons/Safeway tourism up in the NW! Link: https://goo.gl/maps/ZcQELQPkSPt4iCXV7
AFB need not fear, there is still another Albertsons in Hillsboro, an Awnings store with newer decor, but I wouldn't be surprised if that gets converted in the next few months. Anyway, this might not be news to NW Retail, but I think it's worth mentioning here for one of the last true Albertsons Expresses losing the Albertsons name.
I know Albertsons opened a few new Albertsons Express locations in Idaho recenty as a revival of the brand, but I didn't know any of the older Albertsons Express locations existed anymore. I thought all of those were sold off in that big wave in 2008. I don't know how that one random one in Oregon managed to survive this long, but I guess being in Oregon, I should be surprised corporate decided to rebrand the store (and presumably the gas station as well) to Safeway.
DeleteYeah, this store is all kinds of weird...
DeleteIt's actually a bit surprising to see Albertsons being rebranded in Oregon -- in fact, this may be the first time I've heard of that happening! The Portland Division has remodeled quite a few Albertsons to Lifestyle v3, but had been keeping the branding. It's too bad it's happening to that particular store, since that may well be the last legacy Albertsons Express around! And I'm sure whatever remodel it gets will remove the Grocery Palace flooring remnants, too.
This Troutdale, OR Albertsons was given Lifestyle v3 and rebannered to Safeway in the last few months: https://goo.gl/maps/VVcrPxAKQcMoPAcs7
DeleteThis Albertsons not too far away, near the Albertsons DC, was also given Lifestyle v3 recently around the same time as Troutdale, but it wasn't rebannered! Go figure! Maybe being near the legacy Albertsons DC helped? Link: https://goo.gl/maps/qNB3ZWSTLQcajxnR6
Huh, very weird! It will be interesting to see what happens over the next few years. And clearly, I need to do a bit more research into what's happening in Oregon, since I will be driving through there in a couple weeks!
DeleteLol, I'm trying my best to keep up with the Albertsons-Safeway news in the Portland area!
DeleteDid you know about this Albertsons-Safeway fulfillment center in an old Safeway? I guess Albertsons decided to close this Safeway since there is an Albertsons down the street. I suppose we'll see if it stays as an Albertsons. https://goo.gl/maps/7Fib3bup8ThDT4JR8
No, I hadn't seen that! That's quite an odd sight too, especially with how much work they put into that store, after it had seemingly been closed for quite some time.
DeleteIt looks like the gas station will rebrand to a "Safeway Express" according to the Google Maps listing: https://goo.gl/maps/xDU98Wh3eBbXPaAt5 I'd be curious as to how they decorate the interior since it looks like it was still identical to the Pensacola store I went to as of a couple of years ago.
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