Change is happening at Bellingham-based Haggen Inc., but it might take some time for it to arrive in Whatcom County stores.
Earlier this month Haggen introduced a new store concept that involves a rebrand of its products, services and stores, starting with the former Top Foods store in Bellevue. Last week the Bellevue location became a Haggen store with a "Northwest Fresh" branding, offering Bellingham-centric "store within the store" specialty shops, including Lummi Fish Market, Chuckanut Deli and Mt. Baker Bakery.
It's part of a three-year project, starting with the other Top Foods stores in the Seattle region, said Clarence J. "Gabe" Gabriel, who became president and CEO of Haggen earlier this year. He said the company has spent time talking to customers, employees and Haggen family members about its direction, coming to the conclusion that the Top Foods brand has lost a bit of relevancy and the Haggen name remains strong in the Pacific Northwest. The company has 28 stores in Washington and Oregon.
"It (the Haggen name) is a tie that is so strong around here," said Gabriel. "So basically we're continuing to build a store so specific to the Bellingham and Seattle areas that it won't fit anywhere else."
By starting in places like the Bellevue store, Gabriel said they'll study to see what works and will incorporate that into the Whatcom County stores "as quickly as possible." The company is currently studying what it will do with its stores outside the Bellingham and Seattle area. The two Oregon stores, for example, will be remodeled in a way relevant in that market, he said.
What local shoppers will see in the coming months is a change to the company's private label, which will be known as Haggen's Original.
The intention of the "Northwest Fresh" brand is to create a feeling that the store reflects the community, he said, creating a little fun and with products and presentation distinct to this region.
One other change Haggen is studying is the implications of Initiative 1183, which allows the privatization of liquor sales in Washington and was approved by voters. Gabriel said it's the company's intention to sell liquor in its stores, but they are looking into how they can acquire product on the same footing as the bigger chain stores.
CITY GRILL OPENS IN DOWNTOWN BELLINGHAM
Last week Sue Lu and her husband, Frank Wang opened the City Grill restaurant at 1319 Cornwall Ave., near the DIS building.
The restaurant menu offers a variety of food for lunch and dinner. For lunch, items include sandwiches, burgers, pasta, salmon and vegetarian dishes, while dinner items include seafood and steak. The restaurant also has a children's menu.
Lu said they spent time looking at a variety of locations across the state before settling on downtown Bellingham.
The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and closed on Sunday. For details, call 360-734-3462.
OTHER TIDBITS
• Karen's Errands recently started in Bellingham, offering personalized shuttle and errand service in Whatcom County. The business is focused on helping the elderly and disabled and has two vehicles, one of which is a van than can handle wheelchairs. It's operated by Karen and Alfred Galvez, who previously operated this business in California and Idaho before coming to Bellingham. For details, call 360-393-3772.
• A state liquor license application was submitted for a new restaurant in the former Frosty Inn building at 7461 Mt. Baker Highway in Maple Falls. Ryan and Jennifer Stauffer are the applicants, and the business name is Twin Sisters Lodge.
• A Bellingham permit was approved for a tenant expansion at 3935 Iron Gate Road. The tenant is a distributor called Motion Industries.
• A permit also was approved for foundation work for a new 10,000-square-foot building at 2023 Grant St., which is home to a used car dealership.
• At 2432 E. Bakerview Road, a permit was submitted to expand the showroom area of Allied Industrial Supply, while staying within the current building footprint.
• One other project going through the building permit process is at 3213 Newmarket St. (near Scotty Brown's) where plans call for a new single story, 6,000-square-foot building and parking area.
