Two parties ready to bid on Carlsbad Haggen store
Less than two weeks after going public with its decision to close all of its stores in California, Arizona and Nevada Haggen Inc. announced that two supermarket chains have expressed interest in buying some of its locations.
The Bellingham, Washington-based supermarket chain has revealed recently that it has purchasing agreements with Gelson’s Market and Smart & Final chains. Gelson’s is interested in eight of Haggen’s California stores, while Smart & Final wants to purchase 28 stores located in California and Nevada. All bids are contingent on bankruptcy court approval.
Encino based Gelson’s currently operates 18 stores in Southern California, so the addition of all 8 Haggen stores it has bid on would be quite a step up for it. Gelson, which is a high-end supermarket chain, provided no details concerning its bid for the stores.
Smart & Final, however, was upfront with the amount of its bid - $56m for 28 stores. The City of Commerce supermarket chain will, if it is successful in its bidding, turn the Haggen stores into Smart & Final Extra!, locations, which are larger versions of the normal stores. Smart & Final currently has 270 stores.
Which supermarket chain will be able to place their grand opening banners on the front of Carlsbad’s former Haggen store will not be known until November 9, the date set for the auction. Only Carlsbad and San Diego have locations that are of interest to both parties.
The Bellingham, Washington-based supermarket chain has revealed recently that it has purchasing agreements with Gelson’s Market and Smart & Final chains. Gelson’s is interested in eight of Haggen’s California stores, while Smart & Final wants to purchase 28 stores located in California and Nevada. All bids are contingent on bankruptcy court approval.
Encino based Gelson’s currently operates 18 stores in Southern California, so the addition of all 8 Haggen stores it has bid on would be quite a step up for it. Gelson, which is a high-end supermarket chain, provided no details concerning its bid for the stores.
Smart & Final, however, was upfront with the amount of its bid - $56m for 28 stores. The City of Commerce supermarket chain will, if it is successful in its bidding, turn the Haggen stores into Smart & Final Extra!, locations, which are larger versions of the normal stores. Smart & Final currently has 270 stores.
Which supermarket chain will be able to place their grand opening banners on the front of Carlsbad’s former Haggen store will not be known until November 9, the date set for the auction. Only Carlsbad and San Diego have locations that are of interest to both parties.