DENVER — Safeway, it’s been a food staple along the front range since the 1920s. But soon, shelves will be empty as nine of their stores across metro Denver will close for good.
From Castle Rock to Thornton, Aurora, Littleton, Denver, Centennial and Westminster — all closing citing non-profitability as the main reason.
In addition to affecting customers, the closings will affect nearly 500 Safeway employees. Nearly all of them, however, will be relocated to other stores.
Restaurant owner Ray Sovde is moving in to the shopping center in Aurora where the Safeway will soon be moving out, but he’s not worried. “Sprouts is coming, Safeway is out, so I think when Sprouts is coming is gonna’ do big things for us.”
Whether or not a new grocery store sprouts up or not, only time will tell.