PORTLAND -- This has been a very busy past couple of years for the Fred Meyer chain. New stores are under construction, several have been remodeled.
That was the easy part. Now, it's oldest store, Burlingame on Barbur Blvd. is ready for its overhaul. It's a refresher that took a course longer than anyone wanted.
The $19 million dollar refresh begins February 14th. In May the store will close completely in order to get the remodel done as quickly and safely as possible.
Opened in 1950, the Burlingame store is Fred Meyer's oldest.
This one was definitely a problem child, said Melinda Merrill, spokesperson for Fred Meyer.
After years of discussion, including tearing the store down and rebuilding, the company decided remodeling makes more economic sense.
It's a tough store. It's an odd lot, it's an odd shaped store, Merrill said.
With a state highway in front and hills in the back, expanding the store footprint is limited.
That's the challenge for architect Martin Sequra.
Things like the deli and bakery, those things are moving to the complete west side of the existing stores, so they'll be in a completely different location than they are now, said Sequra.
It means 15,000 square feet of new space can be added. It's a top to bottom overhaul including 90 skylights, new restaurant seating, all new fixtures throughout.
Along with a lot of glass. This store will actually open up to the outside, more so than it currently does now, said Sequra.
Shoppers are excited about the new and improved store, but there is one thing they don't want to disappear, the retro neon signs throughout out the store. All will stay, but with an upgrade to LED.
Outside, the iconic store sign also will stay.
During the closure all employees will be transferred to other stores.
That's awesome, they've been excellent to me, said Irene D'Angelo, a 12-year employee at the store.
For employees and customers it's a make-over that's a temporary inconvenience, for a massive permanent improvement that's been long overdue.
Phase one on the remodel begins February 14th. The store will close May 2nd and reopen in September.
The Fred Meyer Pharmacy will move just north to a vacant Hollywood Video store during the remodel.
The Burlingame remodel is part of Fred Meyer's $240 million dollar overall investment in upgrading it's stores.
