Smart & Final Stores announced Monday it will take over 10 former Haggen stores in San Diego as part of a major expansion in California.
The San Diego stories are part of a $68 million purchase of 32 Haggen stores approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Pacific Northwest-based Haggen opened stores in Southern California in the spring and filed for bankruptcy protection in September.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to build upon our footprint in the important California market,” said David Hirz, CEO of Smart & Final.
The stores purchased in the San Diego area are:
- Carlsbad — 955 Carlsbad Village Drive
- Santee — 9870 Magnolia Avenue
- El Cajon — 13439 Camino Canada, 2800 Fletcher Parkway
- San Diego — 10740 Westview Parkway, 2235 University Avenue, 10633 Tierra Santa Boulevard
- La Mesa– 3681 Avocado Avenue
- Coronado — 150 B Avenue
- Chula Vista — 360 East H Street
The company plans to open 100 stores and hire 5,000 new employees nationwide over the next four years.
Smart & Final plans to convert the 32 stores to its Extra! store format, which includes expanded frozen, deli and meat selections; warehouse club sizes as well as smaller, more convenient sizes; specialty products such as oven-roasted chicken and dry bulk goods by the pound; fresh seafood; fresh produce; and an expanded natural and organic product line.