Safeway celebrates recent remodel

Store adds new look with revamped sections, offerings

By Matthew Nash • November 3, 2021 1:30 am
Staff gather for a ribbon cutting at the “Grand Reopening” of the Sequim Safeway on Oct. 27. The store was remodeled in recent months, its first since 2004, staff said. Photo courtesy of Isaac Peiffer
Staff gather for a ribbon cutting at the “Grand Reopening” of the Sequim Safeway on Oct. 27. The store was remodeled in recent months, its first since 2004, staff said. Photo courtesy of Isaac Peiffer

Safeway staffers recently celebrated a finished remodel of the Sequim store at 680-F W. Washington St. with prize giveaways, samples, a community donation,and a ribbon cutting.

Branded a “Grand Reopening” on Oct. 27, the store began an extensive remodel on July 5 and finished Oct. 19, store director Joe Barton said.

“If you haven’t seen us in awhile, come on back,” he said.

Each department received upgrades including signage, display cases, coolers, paint, lights and more.

“Most of the work was done overnight so as not to impede customers,” Barton said.

According to City of Sequim permits, the company filed with planning staff to re-roof, replace 26 cases, relocate the floral department, install a new Starbucks kiosk, install plumbing, reconfigure the U-Scan area and add other amenities for a valuation of more than $400,000.

The Port Townsend Safeway held a similar ceremonial “Grand Reopening” on the same day as Sequim’s.

The Sequim store gave a $5,000 donation to the Sequim Boys & Girls Club, and offered free samples and randomly selected prizes for customers throughout the day.

Barton said the store is one of about a dozen in its district of 220 stores to add a new section, ReadyMeals, with ready-to-eat and easy-to-make options that take about 20 minutes in the oven, including salmon and ribs along with lunch options.

“Offerings are diverse,” he said. “One entree could easily feed two people with a modest appetite.”

Safeway also added a new 96-foot vegetable case, and revamped the organic foods section, Barton said.

Every department received upgrades in some capacity inside the Sequim Safeway, directors said, including the organics section, which includes new cases. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Every department received upgrades in some capacity inside the Sequim Safeway, directors said, including the organics section, which includes new cases. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

The deli now includes a sushi chef with meals made fresh daily and custom orders available, said Danny Huang, a contractor through AFC Sushi, a franchiser that works in supermarkets across the country.

Barton said Huang will remain with the store until a permanent replacement is hired.

In the seafood and meats section called the Butcher’s Block, seafood manager Judy Paty said the store added a self-service seafood and smoked fish section.

“It feels great,” Paty said of the addition. “People who come in after hours can help themselves.”

As for the store’s new look, “it’s a lot nicer,” she said.

“For example, when I’m telling people where the oranges are, they can see the whole section now. The organic section is really nice too.”

A few other amenities include enclosed coolers for beer and other alcoholic beverages, and a new cake case and expanded bakery area.

The Starbucks is scheduled to receive a new kiosk and reconfiguration sometime in January, staff said, and expand its offerings to include nitro brews, and a warming center for foods, such as sandwiches.

There are more than 25 new cases and coolers throughout Sequim Safeway following its finished remodel. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

There are more than 25 new cases and coolers throughout Sequim Safeway following its finished remodel. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

History

Sequim Safeway opened in 1981 at 651 W. Washington St. before moving in Oct. 1992 to its current location. Sequim JCPenney moved from Port Angeles to Safeway’s old building in 1995 at the Sequim Village Shopping Center but closed in May of this year.

Safeway’s fuel center opened in November 2001. The grocery store was last remodeled in 2004 and opened 24 hours a day at the time. In 2015, Safeway’s merger with Albertsons was finalized.

The store currently staffs 153 full- and part-time employees, Barton said. It’s open daily 5 a.m.-1 a.m.

Grocery pickup (DriveUp & Go) is available by ordering online at local.safeway.com.

For more information call Sequim Safeway at 681-2905.

The new ReadyMeals section offers ready-to-eat and easy-to-make options that take about 20 minutes in the oven, including salmon and ribs along with lunch options, said Sequim Safeway store director Joe Barton. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

The new ReadyMeals section offers ready-to-eat and easy-to-make options that take about 20 minutes in the oven, including salmon and ribs along with lunch options, said Sequim Safeway store director Joe Barton. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Joe Barton, Sequim Safeway store director, left, and Isaac Peiffer, assistant store director, present Mary Budke, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula, a check to the Sequim branch $5,000 on Oct. 27 during a “Grand Reopening” celebration of the store. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Joe Barton, Sequim Safeway store director, left, and Isaac Peiffer, assistant store director, present Mary Budke, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula, a check to the Sequim branch $5,000 on Oct. 27 during a “Grand Reopening” celebration of the store. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash