I love Forest Grove. But there is one subject I complain about when it comes to my town – and that is the selection of Grocery Stores. Namely the ONE and ONLY grocery store. Safeway.
I guess I’m just one of those people who loves to hate Safeway. Sure it’s local, and been in town a long time, and I try really hard to support my local businesses, but………… Every time I go to Safeway, I usually wish I had taken the extra trip out to Freddy’s. Why? Well – first it’s a giant corporation. I’m not too fond of giant corporations. Remember when they completed their remodel? Starbucks? That was like a slap in the face to all the local family owned baristas in town, including BJ’s just a few doors down. Second – their prices are steep, especially compared to say Winco. Third – I can usually find a much greater selection – especially with more organic/natural foods – at Freddy’s. And fourth – there’s usually not enough checkers – which means long lines.
I’m sorry Safeway – I try to like you. But I can’t. If you want to win me over, start with your prices, get a few more checkers, clean up your produce, and add some more natural foods (i.e. New Seasons).
So my question is – how did we get to be a one grocery store town? From what I have heard from folks who have lived here a lot longer than I have – we use to have LOTS of grocery stores. In fact – you might be surprised as to what used to be a grocery store – way back in the day.
Valley Art? That was the original Safeway.
Assembly of God Church? (across from Tom McCall) – that’s where Safeway moved to after they left Vally Art.
Forest Grove Health and Fitness? (in the Center Strip Mall) – used to be DaBoys. That was actually still here when I moved here in ‘98.
Forest Grove Elks Lodge? Used to be a Piggly Wiggly.
Fuiten/Rose/Hoyt Funeral Home? Yep – I know it’s kinda creepy – but that used to be a Chet’s Thriftway.
There’s four – and I’m sure I’m missing a few. I heard there was a Coopers Grocery somewhere downtown as well.
Reminds me of all the Video Rental stores we had when I moved here. There must have been at least 3 or 4. And then another giant corporation moved to town. And soon after there was only one left. Blockbusters. I guess the same thing happened with the grocery stores. Now you know why I dislike giant corporations…they usually put the little guys out of business.
I know people would LOVE to have another store in town. A few years back – there was town talk about a Haagen’s coming, then it was Albertsons. Many of us dreamed of a Whole Foods, New Seasons, or a Trader Joes. But it never happened. And it’s probably not going to happen. We just don’t have enough people in this town to support a big name store.
So the only thing we have to look forward to – as far as a new grocery store coming – is Wal Mart.
You know – when you think about it – comparing our options – Freddy’s isn’t really that far away after all.
No related posts.
I hate Safeway, too, but I think even Freddy’s is too high priced. I only go there if Winco doesn’t have what we want and Safeway is our “desperation” store, when you only need a scant few things and don’t want to run all the way to Cornelius or Hillsboro.
We DO need another grocery store here. I’d like a New Season’s o…r Trader Joe’s. I won’t shop at Wal Mart for many reasons. That is going to hurt our small businesses here something bad, you wait and see. I am bummed out about that.
Safeway is really only local in the physical sense. The company itself is a huge corporation based out of California.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safeway_Inc.
Fred Meyer is more local in terms of starting out in the area, but they merged themselves with a larger coporation, Kroger, back in 1999.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Meyer
I guess my point is that shopping at Wal-Mart is not a whole heck of a lot different than shopping at either of the other two. What Forest Grove really needs, IMO, is a specialty foods store that carries similar items to a New Seasons but is locally owned and operated. Unfortunately though, I don’t believe that Forest Grove has enough citizens with enough disposable income to be able to support a business like this.
I completely agree Collin.
In the little town of Sequim, Washington, there is a store called Sunny Farms. They are a locally owned Farm Store and Nursery. Here is just one of the many reviews from both Yahoo and Yelp…
“I will always come back.: Sunny Farms is a big part of our community history. The store has always been around and in the same spot. Their field are close by to where I live and I love watching the veggies grow. This is a warm place to shop for fresh organics, wholesome foods, and wonderful smiles on employee faces. They will also make you soup and sandwiches, don’t forget the occasional frozen yogart. The lights are not bright so you are not blinded when you first walk into their store unlike other big name places. And, the smell of fresh fruit as I walk in has always been my big welcome into that store. Thank you Sunny Farms”
And I’ll add this, it is ALWAYS crowded. People want fresh produce.
I’m with you guys….I hate Safeway too. I wouldn’t gripe so much about their prices if their products were more like New Seasons. Safeway’s ‘fresh’ fish is a travesty and they always have the EXACT same produce, regardless of what’s in season. There’s never anything local, either. I try to support local farms when produce is in season. Like corn on the cob…what’s it doing coming from CA when it’s grown locally??????