LAKE STEVENS — It’s a new brand of supermarket for Snohomish County, one that is entrenched in the Midwest and the South.
County Market opened May 1, taking over for Albertsons at 303 91st Ave. NE, No. F. County Market kept all of Albertsons’ employees, more than 70 in total, said Chris Gooding, the store director.
“We’re excited to be a part of it,” Gooding said. “Me and my staff are excited to take care of the customer like we always have and hopefully offer them better pricing and a better product.”
County Market has dozens of stores mainly in the Midwest. It’s owned by SuperValu, headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and it’s operated by Cub Foods, based in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota.
There only two County Markets in Washington; the second opened in Woodinville on May 5. The stores were sold to SuperValu during the merger between Albertsons and Safeway.
As part of the merger, the Federal Trade Commission required those chains to sell 168 stores nationwide, the vast majority of which were purchased by Bellingham-based Haggen Food &Pharmacy.
Some communities like Lake Stevens already had a Haggen, Safeway and Albertsons, so the combined grocery chain searched for other buyers.
“It’s the same people, new name.” said Gooding, who grew up in the area and graduated from Snohomish High School.
The store will make some changes. They market an everyday pricing that he said he thinks will be better than the former Albertsons. They will have a new enhanced produce department supplied by Charlie’s Produce in Seattle. And they’ll aim for better deals in the meat market.
“I think the customers should come and take a peek,” Gooding said. “I think they’ll like what they see.”
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