Bonney Lake Albertsons to Close at End of Year

Serena D. September 6, 2012 at 08:17 pm

I currently work there and have for the past 5 years and I am in absolute shock. This store has become my second home and the people who work there, my second family. We have some of THE BEST customers around but we just couldn't compete with the cheaper grocery store chains. It's a terrible saddening event, I will miss all these people I've seen almost every day for 5 years.

Antoinette September 6, 2012 at 09:40 pm

Love u girl I am going to miss everyone too

sharon kay September 6, 2012 at 11:30 pm

I am extremely sorry that we are loosing our Albertsons. Àll of the employees are great. We all know that it will be years before anything goes into that space. If. Ever!!!! We will all MISS you.

Lori E September 7, 2012 at 12:20 am

I am in shock also! that is where I do all my shopping! I hate safeway, fred meyer and walmart..doesn't leave much option does it without leaving the hill. waaaahhh!

Joe Stange September 7, 2012 at 12:30 am

I used to be a courtesy clerk there.. ):

Kathy September 7, 2012 at 03:46 am

I love our Albertson's, convenient location, and I buy all my meats at the butcher there! what am I going to do now??? can't get a tender steak anywhere but there. The people are great! Oh and let's not forget about cheap chicken Mondays either. I always get chicken when I have family gatherings too...so sad and a big loss for Bonney Lake!

Carla Pratt September 7, 2012 at 04:58 am

I do all my shopping there I do not know where I will shop Safeway and Fred Meyer are expensive and I do not buy food ......Meat? at Wal Mart. I am in shock and sad:(

Todd September 7, 2012 at 02:33 pm

A friend who shopped there yesterday said an employee mentioned that closure might begin in as little as two weeks. I'll miss their fried chicken! I use to stop there most every day...I still think we need an Entertainment Ctr for the Kids...one that we can use too...I think people would come from quite a ways if it is done correctly. How far do we go for this kind of thing now? Keep the $$ in BL! I visited a place like what I'm taking about in Fort Worth TX, and they seem to have several stores all doing well. http://www.mainevent.com/

Ben September 7, 2012 at 03:02 pm

There you go. This store was a 24 hour store and slated for a remodel just a few years ago. That all changed; I'm sure Wal-Mart thanks you all for your business.Safeway will be next, just watch.

Ben September 7, 2012 at 03:09 pm

Some people saying they don't buy food from Wally World. Well you will be. How do you think they were able to remodel and bring in their food section? Because you buy everything else there. Oh, and don't worry about jobs going away, they'll just expand and everyone can work there...

Ben September 7, 2012 at 03:14 pm

you are absolutely right on!

Ben September 7, 2012 at 03:23 pm

We should have known sooner. As soon as Wal-Mart moved in. Then Alberstons started closing at night.

Nolan September 7, 2012 at 04:22 pm

We've shopped Top Foods, however their prices are just too high. I really don't care much for a business that pretty much buys their product from middlemen and the mark it up to a percentage they feel is only good for the company. Or, just because you don't have your club card you pay some outrageous price.
They may be on the chopping block to be closed but we don't support businesses that don't give value for us to spend the dollars we earn. On the chopping block? So be it. We shop at Winco for somethings and Fred Meyer for fruit. We probably spend the most at Costco or to a lesser extent Sam's Club. We also used to shop at Albertson's but their pricing was also out of line for quality and value and I've always liked Albertson's. I don't know what will happen to that location, or if the old QFC in Sumner will ever find a rentor. But to read some of the ideas kind of cracks me up.

Randy September 7, 2012 at 05:08 pm

Target isn't going anywhere, actually taking business from Wal Mart. Better Food and Service! That is the better place for one stop shopping. I did love the Deli Bacon at Albertsons! Too bad.

CoreyAnn September 7, 2012 at 07:47 pm

I guarantee from the research I've done for my business plan and my interviews of owners of similar establishments that the minimum buildout, lease, insurance, permits, and other startup overhead would need at least a $400,000 original outlay. Its hard to think that a location in Bonney Lake would be able to recoup those costs and be able to cover the ongoing monthly overhead (let alone turn any sort of profit for the company). Just my fyi as I'd also would like to see a family entertainment center in the area.

CoreyAnn September 7, 2012 at 08:04 pm

@Nolan - that is exactly the ignorance I was explaining above. By families like yours not giving a darn and saying that its okay for local establishments to be "on the chopping block...so be it" is really short-sighted. The more "discount" brands are supported and propped up while moderate brands are pushed out or closed, it only means that an area is going to decline in housing prices and overall family income averages because of the blight. I'm sorry but do we, as a community, want Bonney Lake to become more of a Tacoma or South Hill stripmall big box feel? Or do we want it to be more of a small town, quaint charm type of community like an Issaquah or Gig Harbor feeling?
And btw, Top Foods wasn't marking up their products "just because". The grocery industry has very small profit margins and Top Foods is a small, LOCALLY OWNED grocery chain. But instead of keeping the money local and supporting the Western Washington economy, by shopping at the WinCos and Walmarts one is just sending their money out of state to companies who really could care less about their customers. These companies are so huge they can get bulk discounts not available to the little chains like Top Foods. Yet its the little guys are the ones supporting and sharing their success with others in their community.

heather September 8, 2012 at 03:45 am

Some of you people talk trash about this store and about how it's closing affects you negatively I feel terrible for all the customers who shop there regularly that actually enjoy the store and everyone in it, what I don't heart is anyone mentioning how horrible it is for the employees who have busted there asses to run that store who now all of a sudden are jobless with no idea what they are gonna do now or where they are gonna end up. Everyone that works there is like a big family and it's really very sad how this is all ending up,I hope everyone finds a great new place to work that makes then happy and also wish everyone the best of luck with the changes to come

CoreyAnn September 9, 2012 at 02:50 am

I totally agree! I'm sorry if I sounded flip above. I was trying to show the different ways in which this closure is like a ripple in the pond of our community. Those who are most affected by this closure are the employees! I hope that everyone working there is able to find other great places to work (although it'll be hard to replace the camaraderie that everyone felt at Albertsons).

Neil Johnson September 12, 2012 at 01:54 pm

Let's keep in mind that the city can only zone areas for business, but cannot discriminate against businesses if they are legal and licensed. The last four years we have seen Sonic Burger, Discount Tires, Hop Jacks, Midtown Grill, a remodled Target for grocery, expanded Wal-Mart. To me, these are quality businesses that have decided to locate in Bonney Lake. Neil Johnson - Mayor

Vicki September 12, 2012 at 10:03 pm

I work at the Bonney Lake store and I am broken hearted at what has happened !!! this is my family away from home...but shocked ???? not a bit..one could see this coming..!!! I will miss my friends and customers...Its to bad the company or union is not keeping its people better informed of what the future holds .. There has never been good communication ...and like a marriage without good communication things don't usually last.. Who would want to be transferred to another store..when the same thing could happen again..!!! I bet poor Joe Albertson is rolling over in his grave..I don't think this is what he had planned for his stores or employees when he turned over the reigns !!!.. I hope the best for my friends who have worked so hard and to the customers who need a new place to shop....cannot believe this is the end of the road...

Kerby Hyland September 21, 2012 at 05:13 pm

Goodbye Albys hello indoor flea market. Remember Ernst?

steve engh September 23, 2012 at 01:59 am

We are soo Gunna miss our albertsons family:'( Derek,heather,Cathy,daisy,dawn,Debbie,Cheryl just to name a few! New CEO thinkin he's the she-ot:o corporate greed. Karma is a b@#*h!

David Jennings October 11, 2012 at 12:02 am

Welcome to Obama's third world USA!

Melissa Denny October 29, 2012 at 08:44 pm

As the owner of Pistol Annie's Jewelry & Pawn I would like to address your concerns. First let me say that the building I took over was NOT an Italian restaurant, rather a dilapidated bar that created a miserable living condition for the neighboring residents as well as a plethora of criminal activity for the police department to handle taking them away from their ability to respond to other emergencies. Also, the building I took over was left in such a state of disrepair that the 2 yr vacancy of it was a "black eye" on this community. As for your concern about a family friendly business, let me explain to you what we have done in 1 week since we turned on the open sign. We have helped more than 200 residents with gas money, who now instead of being fired for missing work due to no fuel in their vehicle, can remain gainfully employed. And an additional 100+ folks with other needs. We have provided a platform for many parents, who might not otherwise be able to afford new toys at Christmas, clean and working items such as game systems that they can now afford for their children. And, numerous other items we offer at wholesale that satisfy a niche of buyers who enjoy a good deal and the eclectic setting we provide. Our store is locally owned and operated, and while I may not be able to provide as many jobs as Albertson's did, it is a step in the right direction. I am a very proud business owner and my store is clean, honest & we work closely with the police to keep it that way.

Mark C October 29, 2012 at 10:32 pm

Melissa, I'll reserve any judgement until I see if the robbery rate in "our" neighborhood goes up. Not everyone who takes stuff to a pawn shop is a thief, for sure, but then again there are a lot of pawn shops in the worst parts of Lakewood and Seattle...

Mark C October 29, 2012 at 10:39 pm

I think it might have been market oversaturation (Safeway, Fred Meyers, WalMart, Winco, G.O., Albertsons, Top all in a few minutes drive), more expensive product for the quality and lack of general advertising in the area that might have had as much to do with it as Obama. Not sure that some random guy in Washington DC, no matter which political party, has much to do with the economics of being the least distinguished product in a market which has too many choices.

Joanne October 29, 2012 at 10:52 pm

This was a nice italian restaurant which went out of business and then the Diamond Lounge went in - which did cause issues in the community. My definition of a family friendly business is a place where you can take your family and celebrate birthdays - ie. roller skating, Pump It Up, etc. Right now, the area is lacking that and families are going out of the area and spending a good amount of money in Puyallup, Auburn, Tacoma etc. They need a business like that to keep money local.

Melissa Denny October 29, 2012 at 11:11 pm

Mark C - I can certainly appreciate that. And unfortunately there are pawn shops who simply want to make a profit at anyone's expense. I am sensitive to the burglaries. We were robbed in our location 4 times before our security systems were installed here. We will NOT be a proponent for stolen items and will do everything in our power to help with the apprehension of anyone bringing stolen goods to our store!! Every item brought here is put into a national database for the police to review and we hold them for 3 weeks to a month before putting them out for sale. My recommendation is write EVERY serial number down you have on your items so that we can trace them in the event they come up stolen. Help me to help you. I give out free booklets for firearm serial numbers. I encourage everyone who has a firearm of any kind to come by and get one. If EVER you find something missing, file a police report. Together we can make a difference. And by all means, call me if you have any questions.

Lauren Padgett (Editor) October 29, 2012 at 11:24 pm

Melissa, Thank you so much for sharing your point of view. I think your tips about staying vigilant are important - it's not just pawn shops affected by retail crime, it's everywhere. I've found some of the coolest stuff in pawn shops and look forward to checking out your store!

Edward James November 11, 2012 at 11:07 pm

What Obama couldn't fix in 4 years he will not fix in 8 years. He is way over his head.