Here are three photos of a Safeway in Olympia that closed on June 9. I was a particular fan of the circular checkstands in this store. Peering through the windows, I saw that they had been moved, and I can't help but wonder what will become of them.
Veteran
I love the ominous reflections in the first shot. But, I've got to ask, isn't Olympia a long way from your normal stomping grounds in Weis country?
The Puyallup Marina store and the circa 1957 store on the Tacoma Hilltop also have these wall graphics and the circular checkstands. The circular checkstands are there to squeeze every square inch of floor space out of the stores, I'm sure. Safeway must have virtually given up on upgrading these stores since they have had the same interiors for over 10 years now. I wonder if their days are numbered also... I definitely can't see the Hilltop store getting a Lifestyle remodel.
The Puyallup Marina store and the circa 1957 store on the Tacoma Hilltop also have these wall graphics and the circular checkstands. The circular checkstands are there to squeeze every square inch of floor space out of the stores, I'm sure. Safeway must have virtually given up on upgrading these stores since they have had the same interiors for over 10 years now. I wonder if their days are numbered also... I definitely can't see the Hilltop store getting a Lifestyle remodel.
Great Pumpkin
When I left the west coast two years ago, this interior package was by far the most common one still in use, particularly in old Marinas. In fact, it had been applied to some Vons stores as late as 2000 or 2001, I think. Although that may have changed, I'm not sure I'd equate this type of interior with abandonment for another few years yet.tkaye wrote:Safeway must have virtually given up on upgrading these stores since they have had the same interiors for over 10 years now.
Great photos. It's sad to see this store go. The "masonry" was really nice, too. I'd love to see it without that coat of paint.
Veteran
The flagship store (the marina on Market Street) in SF still had that look in late 2006, to give an idea of how long Safeway likes to keep this decor package going. It seems like the pre-Lifestyle tan decor is usually one of the first to get upgraded to the current look, rather than the older designs.Groceteria wrote:
When I left the west coast two years ago, this interior package was by far the most common one still in use, particularly in old Marinas. In fact, it had been applied to some Vons stores as late as 2000 or 2001, I think. Although that may have changed, I'm not sure I'd equate this type of interior with abandonment for another few years yet.
Oldest interior motif still in use at an active Safeway probably is the Willow Glen store in San Jose, with its 1960s decor. I've seen a few 80s motifs as well (Chestnut Avenue in SSF, and the now-demolished 7th Avenue marina in SF) - but I'm not sure any active Safeway at this point has a 1970s decor.
Chris Sampang
Veteran
Indeed. This interior was used in new builds and remodels from about 1994 through 2002, and was probably more extensively used than any Safeway interior since the 1970's. There are a LOT of them out there.Groceteria wrote:When I left the west coast two years ago, this interior package was by far the most common one still in use, particularly in old Marinas. In fact, it had been applied to some Vons stores as late as 2000 or 2001, I think.
Naturally, I thought it was one of Safeway's worst interior packages.
Great Pumpkin
I have to agree on that one. The only thing I ever liked about it was the fact that the shape of the wall signage was something of a salute to the Marina design.tesg wrote:Naturally, I thought it was one of Safeway's worst interior packages.
Contributor
I visited this old Olympia store many times during the 1990's, I always had a positive experience there, the Oly district office was located in the upstairs back of the store. Turntable checkstands, ah yes I remember those discussions, Albertsons came out with a video showcasing all the benefits of them and the decision was made to install turntables until corporate decided the Reynolds belt customer unload would be the new standard on going. The turntables took up more space than any other checkstands and the move to belt provided a lot more space in the front end.
Contributor
Well folks, the Olympia Safeway store is no more
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Contributor
That is really sad. To tear down fairly new stores. To me at least, since I haven't stepped into a Safeway since 1985 before I joined the Navy. When I got back in 92 Safeway had already sold out in Arkansas. I appreciate the photos, especially of the interior.
Robert
Robert
Veteran
Just saw this on Flickr: a photo of the original decor of this store, ca. 1962!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/josh_bomb/4484689285/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/josh_bomb/4484689285/
Chris Sampang
Contributor
Thanks Stranger for the flickr picture from the 60's, this brings back a lot of memories, it mirrors the decor of the store I remembered shopping in when I was young and then eventually worked at in the early 1980's, on Lincoln Street #439 in Port Angeles, it was completely replaced in 1996. From the picture, many of us remember the Sweda Power Penny registers well, they were an old work horse that Safeway used heavily, the last one was removed in 1990 in Polson Montana when scanning was installed.