Big changes are coming to the last Albertsons grocery store in the Tri-Cities
The last Albertsons-branded grocery in the Tri-Cities is getting a new look and a new name as part of a $850,000 renovation.
The Pasco Albertsons, 1330 N. 20th Ave., is open during construction and operating under its current name. But it will convert to a Safeway, as its sister stores in Kennewick and south Richland did before it.
Jill McGinnis, a spokeswoman for Albertsons Companies Inc., based in Boise, confirmed the store will convert to the Safeway brand.
Permits indicate the Pasco store is being repainted inside and out. Restrooms and the breakroom are being remodeled.
The deli and bakery areas are being expanded and updated. The deli is getting a new walk-in freezer and the Starbucks kiosk is being renovated.
Refrigeration and shelving equipment will be replaced and the checkout and floral facilities are being upgraded.
PM Design Group Inc. is the designer.
Albertsons previously closed one Tri-Cities store, in Richland, and converted two others to the Safeway name, one of more than a dozen banners in its brand portfolio.
Its grocery at 5204 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick, converted to Safeway in 2022 following a $1.25 million renovation, building permit records show.
The grocery at 690 Gage Blvd., Richland, converted to Safeway in 2021 following a $275,000 update, building permit records show.
A fourth, on Lee Boulevard in Richland, permanently closed in 2018.
A proposed merger between Albertsons and Kroger Corp. is being litigated in federal courts in Washington, Oregon and Colorado after the U.S. Federal Trade Commission sued to block the $24.6 billion deal this year.
The state of Washington opposes the merger on the grounds Albertsons and Kroger already control more than half of grocery stores in the state and don’t need to merge to succeed against Walmart.
Albertsons previously agreed to divest — sell — more than 100 stores in Washington as part of of the merger.
The list does not currently include locations in the Tri-Cities.
This story was originally published November 13, 2024 at 7:00 AM.