PORTLAND, Ore. — Many locals expressed concern after the Burlingame Fred Meyer in southwest Portland removed its historic landmark sign.
In a statement to KGW on Tuesday, a company representative confirmed the removal and cited years of damage and upkeep as the main motivating factor. Repairing extensive damage from years of weathering storms and safety concerns were ultimately the nails in the coffin.
The company said they plan to update the vintage sign with a new LED sign that will have the iconic landmark look while practicing sustainable energy production.
The statement from Fred Meyer's read:
"After years refurbishing our iconic Burlingame Fred Meyer sign, we could no longer repair the extensive damage from years of weathering storms while serving as a beacon in the community. The decision to update the vintage sign was made with careful consideration of both its heritage and the need for safety and energy efficiency. The new LED sign will retain the historic look while representing our commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency, aligning with our broader efforts to reduce our environmental footprint. We are grateful for the city's collaboration while we worked to ensure that all necessary permits and design approvals were obtained. We look forward to continuing to serve the community with the same dedication as we have for over 100 years."
PHOTOS: Burlingame Fred Meyer sign
This comes after the Southwest Portland location underwent a major $19 million renovation back in 2011. The renovation was part of Fred Meyer's $240 million-dollar overall investment in upgrading its stores.
In the summer of 2023, the grocery chain implemented tougher security measures in an effort to crack down on crime and shoplifting, and the company said they were developed in partnership with the city of Portland and the Portland Police Bureau. At the time, this came after Fred Meyer President Todd Kammeyer said the company suffered record levels of thefts and loss in the past 12 months.
The company also has a history of its innovative marketing, promotion and community grand opening events in its early beginnings. One of its notable moments was Fred Meyer promoting the grand opening of a new shopping center in Portland’s Hollywood District with a contest to "give away a baby" in 1949.
