Greenwood Market at 8500 3rd Ave. NW is tentatively planning to close for good on Saturday, Feb. 4. Store Director Patty Nolan tells us they aren’t sure yet what the hours will be that day, and that date could change based on inventory.
The store’s lease ends on Feb. 29.
Greenwood Market is closing because the neighboring Fred Meyer is expanding. Greenwood Shopping Center Inc., the company that owns the land and leases it to Fred Meyer and Greenwood Market, decided to lease the entire lot to Fred Meyer, which plans to demolish the Greenwood Market building and expand the current Fred Meyer by 55,305 square feet.
Many people have asked whether Greenwood Market could find a new space to reopen. Nolan told us over the phone today that the company is always looking for new opportunities, but there are currently no plans to open a new store.
Greenwood Market opened in 1991 as Greenwood Price Chopper.
Town & Country Markets is trying to find positions for employees at other stores, especially the nearby Ballard Market and Central Market in Shoreline. The company also owns Central Markets in Mill Creek and Poulsbo, and a Town & Country Market on Bainbridge Island.
“I’ve appreciated the opportunity to serve this close-knit community, where neighbors care about one another and where they live,” Nolan said in a press release issued today. “I’m very grateful for their loyalty and support, and will miss all the wonderful relationships formed over the last 20-plus years.”
28 responses so far ↓
1 TT // Dec 27, 2011 at 1:26 pm
This makes me so mad & sad. Not only will I have to go further for groceries (no more walking to the store), but all the folks who work at Greenwood Market are so great–they don’t deserve this.
2 Cedar // Dec 27, 2011 at 2:20 pm
This makes me so angry!
3 SY // Dec 27, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Grocery stores don’t need to be enormous to feed a community, and Greenwood Market provided us with the right blend for our community with beautiful produce and wonderful staff. It truly is a sad day to realize the closing of the market.
4 PhinneyRidgian // Dec 27, 2011 at 2:44 pm
I know that they said sometime back that they had looked, but there was no other space in the area that would work. Considering how much work it takes to rehab a building, including abatement, plumbing, electrical, etc., there really was nothing in the immediate area that would have worked.
It’s too bad. It was nice having Greenwood Market there. I certainly have no desire to shop at FM.
5 Rob // Dec 27, 2011 at 3:17 pm
I will truly miss the fresh produce – the staff is always re-stocking it throughout the day.
Safeway – has the absolute most pitiful selection of produce – even things like bulbs of garlic look like they have been sitting around for years. UGH
I will miss all the staff.
6 Ann // Dec 27, 2011 at 3:51 pm
although I will be sad to loose Greenwood Market, I am very thankful for Fred Meyer and their support of our neighborhood and willingness to change their design plans so many times to accommodate neighbors concerns. Also thankful for their faithful support of the Greenwood Seafair Parade. Without them we would have had a very hard time putting on the parade last year.
7 Mike // Dec 27, 2011 at 5:35 pm
So what’s the plan for the Fred Meyer? How long until the remodel is done?
8 tw78 // Dec 27, 2011 at 6:16 pm
awwww. Farewell Greenwood Market – you were my main grocery store for my 1st year in Seattle. I’m sad to see you go.
9 North Seattle Sarah // Dec 27, 2011 at 7:46 pm
I’m really going to miss Greenwood Market. Even after I moved from Phinney to Green Lake I still travel the extra distance to go there. I love the staff, the selection, and the size of the store. I honestly have no idea where I’m going to shop after February. And I’m not against Fred Meyer, but I just don’t see one of their larger store models doing that well in Greenwood. I don’t know where I’ll be shopping, but I certainly won’t be buying my groceries at Freddie’s.
10 Wayne Bouck // Dec 27, 2011 at 9:22 pm
Get a grip.
Greenwood Market is not a free standing small community grocery store. It is a Town & Country store with common ownership to Ballard Market, Central Market (both on Westminster and in Mill Creek) and the original Town & Country on Bainbridge Island. The Greenwood Market employees will disperse amongst the other stores and will continue to be well employed. Get on the bus and ride a few more blocks or simply call 1-(800)-wahh.
This angst would be such a amusing canard if it wasn’t so pathetic…
11 Kim Mulligan // Dec 27, 2011 at 10:07 pm
So sad to see it go. I’ve lived nearby since 1986 an always thought the crew there did a great job. The store started out kind of sad and went through different identities, but love it the last several years.
@ Wayne, at least the chain is smaller than QFC and the other national alternatives.
In response to the produce at Safeway, I have been told that Safeway owns farms and have to use the produce over the sometimes better local fare. This is exactly why I like supporting the smaller in-state chain that can buy what’s best or local.
Greenwood Market and Folks, you will be missed by many! Thanks to the many friendly, helpful and cheery employees <3!!!
12 i heart greenwood // Dec 27, 2011 at 10:20 pm
Greenwood Market has made our neighborhood a community. I love each and every one of its employees (all of whom know me and my child by name, and vice versa) and will truly miss the warmth, sense of community and excellent, and excellently priced, food choices. This place is like a second home for us – we go there every day. The neighborhood won’t be the same, especially at Halloween/harvest time. Thank you, Greenwood Market, for making Greenwood really feel like a happy, small town. We love you and will shop there until your final day!
13 neighbs // Dec 29, 2011 at 12:31 am
I’m sad to see Greenwood Market go… I appreciate it’s selection of organic products by smaller food producing companies. I hope that the new Fred Meyers has a really extensive local/organic section too.
14 Ryan // Dec 29, 2011 at 9:35 am
I’ve recently moved to the area and was not aware this closure and remodel has been pending for some time. I’ve enjoyed my few stops at GM, but the neighborhood (and surrounding neighborhoods) could really benefit from a full fledged Fred Meyer (with groceries).
I’m sad for GM, but elated by the prospect of a new Fred Meyer.
15 Julie // Dec 29, 2011 at 10:47 am
Not sure how local you consider Eugene, OR. I buy Nancy’s organic yogurt at FM. They have the best price locally. I also buy the same organic eggs there that I get at Kens.
I generally find more local produce at Kens or at least they have gotten better at labeling the source of the various items they sell and have added many lately including tofu and guacamole.
16 GM Fan // Dec 29, 2011 at 11:57 am
I am extremely sad that Greenwood Market will be closing. Along with many of the other commenters, I love the staff, the selection, and their support of community initiatives large and small. My hope is that Fred Meyer takes the time to learn from Town & Country about how to make an impact in their community.
17 gdog // Dec 30, 2011 at 11:00 am
Let’s not forget about Natalie’s Coffee too…also going away at the end of january. Small, independent, woman-owned business being forced out of business by a multi-state monstrosity.
18 Natalie's Coffee // Dec 30, 2011 at 6:12 pm
We have loved being a part of the Greenwood neighborhood!!! My children grew up at my coffee shop first as Java Bean and then as Natalie’s Coffee. We have been to every Greenwood Seafair Parade. My daughter, Lauren, has made balloons for all the kids. There was a time when we lived on a tight budget and she thinks every kid should get a balloon for free! I will be back as soon as I find a new spot!! Take care friends! Remember change can be good. Fred Meyer has been in the neighborhood for a long time too.
Love the Greenwood Market people!!!!
19 Angela // Jan 2, 2012 at 10:13 pm
I know that Greenwood Market has been a generous and frequent donor of produce/other food product to the Greenwood Food Bank. Does anyone know, will Fred Meyer carry on that commitment?
20 Greenwood // Jan 3, 2012 at 10:07 am
Please take your produce business to Theo’s! They try to match Safeway prices, but have Greenwood Market quality. They’re very nice too!
21 Deb // Jan 3, 2012 at 4:12 pm
Theo’s really? Their produce is terrible, and their stock is so tiny, as if they’re afraid people are going to buy things. (Like 2 pints of milk or 3 heads of cabbage.)
That said, I like GM, but am looking forward to a full grocery store. GM was like a redheaded stepchild compared to Ballard Market or Central Market.
22 Josh // Jan 4, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Anyone who thinks Fred Meyer can replace Greenwood Market has never been to both stores. Fred Meyer will replace quality with quantity. I am hoping for the best but not counting on it. I like the Fred Meyer store there. But when they rebuilt the one at 185th and Aurora, it had less character and higher prices and the grocery section is not worth the stop. I guess that is improvement, for Fred Meyer at least. I still have the Central Market choice.
23 tico // Jan 4, 2012 at 1:14 pm
You “love each and every employee” at the grocery store in your neighborhood?
Sweet Jesus. Get a grip. Could you be any more melodramatic? I can gurantee they don’t think about you two seconds after they punch the clock.
24 The Norwegian // Jan 4, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Too bad folks don’t care about more choices in educating their kids like they do when it comes to shopping. It seems to me there are more than just this place to get groceries etc. I doubt few here do all their weekly shopping there as well. Bottom line is price to me. Isn’t this also progress? An in pro-gressive(s)? Guess this does make me “pro-choice” after all! And how many here remember when it was a Lucky store? Hmmmm? Thank goodness we’re not getting an Obama-mart, yet.
25 i heart greenwood // Jan 4, 2012 at 10:36 pm
Yes, Tico, I love them. Greenwood Market is not just a store, it’s an epicenter of our community, which is what many in our neighborhood have been trying to explain. My family has become friends with many of the people there after seeing them daily for years. They supported me when I almost went into labor in their store, and now some of their employees even babysit my children. These are people I’ve seen every day and talked to every day for years. Odd how you demean “employees at your local grocery store.” It’s sad that you are obviously lacking similar human connection.
And, The Norwegian, many of us do all our weekly and daily shopping here, for the convenience, the selection, and yes, the good, old-fashioned service that is truly rare these days.
26 tico // Jan 5, 2012 at 7:59 am
It’s “sad” that I haven’t fallen in love with the guy who stacks apples at my grocery store?
Suuuure. Okie Dokie.
27 Grrrr! // Jan 5, 2012 at 7:17 pm
I would drive all the way from Matthews Beach to Shop here! Where will we get our Black Puddin and Rashers?! As well as all the other unique goodies? There are plenty of FM’s around, didn’t need another!
28 Lor // Jan 6, 2012 at 5:37 pm
Sorry to see you go. It’s my fault for using my safe way club card too much, or going to Costco and always looking to save a buck. Your prices were way too high but the workers smiled and joked and once the produce guy high fived me over the freshness and quality of the produce. The store was drab and dreary but gosh darn, it’s Greenwood, it should be dark, dirty and depressing. Oh, well nothing you can do. Fred Meyer is a jerk. That guy has never done anybody any good. I hope Fred Meyer croakes!
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