Back 
Long-time customers are lamenting the impending closure of downtown’s Alaskan & Proud Market, while current employees remain uncertain about what lies in store for the space the grocery now occupies.
“A lot of people are sad about it shutting down,” Alaskan and Proud store manager Sandi McDonald said.
Many of her customers live downtown, she said.
“They don’t want to have to catch the bus, they walk here,” McDonald said.
Visiting Lemon Creek and Mendenhall Valley stores is difficult for some, she said.
“Getting out there and driving in the winter is not good,” McDonald said.
Phai Giron, a Juneau resident for about two months, lives on Douglas Island.
He “will go to Fred Meyer if we need a lot of groceries,” Giron said. “If we just need something quick and easy we just come here.”
The location saves Giron on gas, travel and time, he said.
“It’s just right across the bridge,” Giron said.
Tanner Carver and Angelina Vest recently moved to Juneau from Utah.
“This is my second time visiting the store,” Vest said.
Carver said the location makes grocery shopping convenient.
“We walk around,” Carver said. “We don’t want to get a rental car, so if they get rid of this it would be hard to go to the grocery store. This is the only place around.”
“That is affordable,” Vest said.
“And we also like supporting the Juneau community,” Carver said.
“I’ll miss the store, my family will miss the store,” said Helen Burnett of Juneau
Juneau resident Jeanie Henry lives on Starr Hill. She said she normally drives to A&P, but in the winter she often walks before the snow plows reach her area.
“So it is very important to me to have a place that I can walk to that I can get the groceries,” Henry said. “Whether because of weather conditions or just because I choose to walk.”
Henry has shopped at the Willoughby location since 1974, “when it was Foodland,” Henry said.
“I’ve always made a point of shopping here, because I wanted to support a grocery store in this area,” Henry said.
McDonald has worked with A&P for 19 years. She moved to Alaska to manage the Ketchikan store.
“So I will return to Ketchikan,” McDonald said.
A&P is owned by Williams Inc. of Ketchikan.
What will happen with the rest of her employees is less clear. Most A&P employees plan to work until the store closes in September, McDonald said.
“I’m very impressed with the people up here.” McDonald said. “They are loyal to their company.”
Do they know whether a new employer will take over in September?
“Sadly we don’t know,” McDonald said. “The rumor mill is very abundant. In actuality we don’t know anything.”
Owners of the Foodland property have not ruled out the possibility that another grocer may take over the current store or a new grocery business may move in.
Long-time A&P employees are looking at retirement, McDonald said.
“So it is a good thing for them,” McDonald said.
McDonald said A&P plans to remain active in the community up to the end. The grocery store is hosting its annual March of Dimes event on Saturday.
“Even with announcing we are shutting down,” McDonald said. “We’re still giving to the community.”
• Contact reporter Russell Stigall at 523-2276 or at russell.stigall@juneauempire.com.
Comments (33)
Add commentI'll miss A&P
But...not the high prices. I know it's tough to compete with the national chains, however, I've had to moderate what I buy at A&P because the prices were just too high. As much as I appreciate the convienence of a downtown store I've had to pass on shopping there and bet I'm not the only one. So I understand why the doors have to close.
Prices
Yes, A&P does have some pretty outrageous prices on certain things ($8.99 for a 12-pack of Coke?), but I've found that most of the time their prices are comparable to other places in town. Their prices become even easier to handle when you factor in the time and gas money to drive from downtown or Douglas to Wal-mart, or Fred's, or Super Bear. And as previous commenters have mentioned, A&P offered some unique items that you just can't find anywhere else in town. I, for one, will miss them and hope at the very least that the space is taken over by another grocery.
more diamonds
Hopefully the building owners will attract a couple more stores to sell T-shirts and diamonds to the tourist. Just what Juneau needs.
That's not why the store is
That's not why the store is closing. Landlord and A&P could not come to a new agreement to renew the lease. We pay to shop locally. What store that's locally owned can compete with the nation wide stores? We choose to pay more so more money stays in Juneau. It's a price we pay to help the community.
Shoppers do have a downtown walking option
Rainbow Foods. The lunchtime salad bar/buffet is excellent.
The Store and the only Store in downtown Juneau
Just another Juneau chapter closing and onto a newer things?
Part of business when two companies cannot agree on issues to keep A&P going.
Yes, I too will miss A&P store..sighs
A&P
I live in Douglas and I don't have a car. Part of my morning routine is to stop by A&P and get breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks, then walk to work. I really hope another store opens up that wont affect my morning routine!!
And Rainbow Food's prices are a lot more expensive than A&P but the food is good.
Dude, I'm totally
bummed... I hit the place every single day, and frequently twice a day. It's a community grocery and I like chatting with the friendly staff. So, now where am I supposed to get my Pancit? Or my Croisant Turkey Sandwich? Or my daily Soup? This sucks, and does not endear me to the owners of the space who couldn't find a way to come to terms with A&P. Yeah Rainbow Foods has great organic food, at about 3x the price! I never knew an apple could cost that much!
I agree with...
Latitude58. I shop at Rainbow Foods often. The merchandise is top notch and the staff is wonderful. It costs a bit more, but you get what you pay for! I'll keep shopping at Rainbow no matter what happens to the old A&P.
In-kind business opportunity...
If it makes business sense (plan meets minimum profit margin) then a new grocery store will arise. A quality market that provides diverse selection of inventory at reasonable SE market price; an excellent walk-up deli with variety and fresh options; and fresh produce is what that location needs. With all the businesses based in the downtown core, I have to believe that such a business would thrive! And resurrecting the grocery bagger that takes your items to your car would take the service to the old standard (high level) while providing jobs for our younger population. Juneau does not have enough job opportunities for 14 year olds. Start them young and they will prosper.
(can't say the word or I'd be deleted today)
Of all the folks they could of interviewed,they picked a rainbow hater. Sheesh...
Roughcut: if you moved back
Roughcut: if you moved back down south no one would miss you or your comments.
Geeze Rough Cut.....
who [filtered word] in your corn flakes this morning?
Lighten up, man!
yes, Rough Cut
please explain how wanting peace - instead of war - stinks?
I like A&P and shopped there 6+ years
The store is small enough that you can shop it easily. The food selection is good, they have a great hot foods section and a salad bar. Their meats are good.
Their prices aren't any worse than three other stores I could name, especially when you live downtown. Unless you are willing to buy bulk you will pay high prices in Juneau.
Lastly the checkout lines are short and the staff friendly. I'll miss you A&P.
Just dreamin here...
a Whole Foods or produce mart would rock and I'm dreaming I can afford it. I like rainbow too...It would rule if they could expand to fill space. Boston Market???
@Rough Cut: Yeah, that
"Downtown 'A Home For Peace' sign-posting stench" really is irksome, isn't it? So what's your poster of choice? - "Kill em all and let God sort em out"?, or some other ditty for the Unevolved? You just nicely described the gulf between the moronic extreme right wing and everyone else. Thanks.
Rough Cut likes his wars. As
Rough Cut likes his wars. As a member of the 101st Chairborne, he has a knack for wanting everyone but himself to risk their lives.
Don't feed the troll.
And...
How about a Trader Joe's to replace A&P.
Han - about Trader Joe's
It's been a while since I've been in one, and several people have been writing to them (though, I understand shipping costs are an issue for them) - - but my understanding is that Trader Joe's is a specialty store, not a full-service grocery, with milk, eggs, diapers, etc. etc. - - which is what the space needs.
I'd LOVE to see a Whole Foods as well, but I'm guessing shipping would be an issue for them too. I'd also love to be able to buy wine and beer in the grocery store, but I suppose I could move to Seattle if I wanted those things that badly...... ;)
How about ....
more State offices? Specifically Dept. of Labor, oh joy.
there is going to be a lesson
If you don't buy local, and pay a bit more, corporate america will eat you alive. Don't you live in Alaska for it's independence? It certainly isn't for the weather. BUY LOCAL before each store you want here for an option is gone.
take a look around...
There are huge empty spaces all over Juneau. Some of them have been empty and for rent for YEARS. Look behind the Nugget Mall (look inside the nugget mall) Look at the mendenhall mall. Look at some of the side areas around costco. Look at those areas along where budget liquor used to be. What the heck is happening with Mapco/Williams? Just a storage building? Now add A&P to the mix. Overinflated high rent prices have forced the local businesses out. Old money is paying the maintenance fees on all these empty derelect properties in order to keep the prices inflated on the other properties they own. Eventually these people will die or retire and leave Juneau, their gold digging heirs selling off the scraps to any investment firm that writes a check so the heirs can get the hell out. Then the price of rent will tank, but local businesses will be stuck in leases at higher rent, and national chains will be given free reign to officially re-name the town Juneau Inc with all the politicians they've purchased.
We need a co-op!
A group of downtown residents has started an email list and has held one meeting to discuss forming a co-op to start a full service grocery. You can join the list and view the notes from last week's meeting at http://groups.google.com/group/juneau-food-coop Please come and join the discussion!
It appears that this space is too small to fit the model for new Fred Meyer (or Albertson's, another Kroger store) or Safeway stores. New Sagaya is not interested in operating outside Anchorage, and Metropolitan Market and Trader Joe's have indicated that they don't want to open Alaskan stores. The owner of Super Bear isn't interested in opening another store.
The last thing downtown residents want is for the space to turn into some other use, since it's the only space downtown big enough for a full service grocery, and if it's gone, it will be difficult for any vendor to build a new space.
Ben Williams made so many mistakes from the day he purchased Foodland that it would take a front page to list them, but he drove away the best part of his customer base in the first 6 months he was there, by lowering quality, reducing service, and either raising prices or not lowering them. I knew the store was doomed when I saw them removing the wonderful full service meat department and turning the deli into deep fried hell.
When Williams had trouble paying his suppliers on a timely basis, the quality of produce went down the tube. Many folks like me moved their produce shopping to Super Bear, just like we did when we moved our meat buying there when most of the Foodland butchers moved there.
I try to keep my shopping local by patronizing Super Bear, especially since Fred and Safeway package their meat in carbon monoxide to make it look fresher even if it isn't, but I'd move almost all of my grocery purchases back downtown if we had a co-op store or one with a local owner who focused on customer service and value (not cheap, but good value for the money). I"m sure many other downtowners would too.
Basic business 101,
Income must exceed outgo by x amount or one does not make money. A co-op can be a good model BUT, it must follow basic business logic.
Time to kick
the Willoughby District plan into high gear. It called for the razing of the building. Get the financing in order and start demo in October.
Hm...
Last time I checked the butchers at A&P are a gem. Best priced natural beef, house smoked salmon (way better than the stuff at Jerry's Meats), and the two actual butchers (not the extra staff members as often) are helpful, knowledgable, and will do up any meat the way you ask! They will truly be missed. One is retiring and the other is undecided, hopefully he could find a spot with their old co-worker at SuperBear??
I live downtown, but I have a
I live downtown, but I have a car. I raely shop at A & P anymore anyway. It's really not a big deal to me if they close up or not.
wolfmagic2012
I don't like A&P, won't break my heart. I'll continue giving my business to SuperBear. With the prices at A&P, you can't convince me that they haven't been RAPING people's pocketbooks using convenience as an excuse for years. Liquor Barrel is a convenience store, not A&P. Yet their prices are comparable to those of a convenience store. They just have a few more square feet.
I will miss the coffee stand though!
Empty buildings
You can add the old Alaska litho bldg out thane. It's been empty for years.