Major Grocery Chain to Close Another Washington City Store, Affecting 100 Workers

Another major grocery store is preparing to shut its doors in Washington, leaving approximately 100 workers facing an uncertain future and local shoppers with fewer convenient places to buy everyday essentials.

Fred Meyer, the Kroger-owned supermarket chain, has confirmed plans to close its James Center location in Tacoma. The decision marks another significant loss for the city’s grocery shopping landscape, raising questions about employee transfers, neighborhood access, and what will replace the familiar store.

Fred Meyer Confirms Another Tacoma Store Closure

Fred Meyer announced on August 28, 2026, that it would close its James Center supermarket at 6901 South 19th Street in Tacoma, Washington. The location is expected to remain open until January 2027, with January 30 identified as the current lease expiration date. However, the company has not publicly confirmed that date as its official final day of business.

According to FOX 13 Seattle, Fred Meyer described the closure as a difficult decision after evaluating the location. The announcement gives regular customers time to explore other grocery options before the store permanently closes.

Approximately 100 Union Workers Face an Uncertain Future

The closure directly affects 100 unionized employees represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 367. The union has expressed concerns that workers could lose their jobs, established schedules, and employment benefits.

Union president Michael Hines told Northwest Public Broadcasting that negotiations would focus on securing transfers to other Kroger-owned stores while protecting wages, working hours, and benefits. Importantly, the announcement does not mean all 100 employees will lose their jobs. The final number of layoffs remains unknown.

For affected households, maintaining a financial cushion could become particularly important. Practical guidance on building an emergency savings fund offers useful ideas for managing unexpected changes in household income.

Disagreement Over Rent Raises Questions About the Decision

The explanation behind the closure has become a point of disagreement between Kroger and the shopping center’s property management.

According to Northwest Public Broadcasting, Kroger told union representatives that rising rent costs contributed to its decision to close the store. However, Stan Rosen, managing partner of James Center Associates, disputed that account.

Rosen said the property owner offered a substantial rent reduction after Kroger declined to extend its lease. The union then asked Kroger for more information to better understand the decision.

The conflicting accounts leave an important question unanswered: whether rental expenses were the deciding factor or whether other business considerations contributed to the closure.

Tacoma Will Have Just One Fred Meyer Store Remaining

This is not Tacoma’s first recent Fred Meyer closure. In September 2025, the chain closed its longtime South End location at 7250 Pacific Avenue. The James Center shutdown will become the city’s second Fred Meyer closure in roughly two years.

Fred Meyer’s official Tacoma store directory currently lists two locations. Once James Center closes, the Tacoma-Stevens supermarket at 4505 South 19th Street will be the only Fred Meyer left in the city.

For customers who previously relied on the South End or James Center stores, the shrinking number of locations could mean changing established shopping routines.

The Closure Could Make Everyday Grocery Trips More Complicated

The James Center Fred Meyer is conveniently located across from Tacoma Community College, near a heavily used bus route. That accessibility matters to students, older residents, and households without reliable transportation.

Northwest Public Broadcasting reported that the nearest alternative grocery stores are approximately a mile away. Even relatively short additional journeys can create difficulties when customers need to carry several bags or fit shopping around work and family commitments.

Transportation expenses can also affect household budgets. Reviewing everyday costs that quietly increase monthly spending may help shoppers identify unnecessary trips and other overlooked expenses. For these customers, convenience is about more than distance.

Shoppers Will Lose More Than Grocery Aisles

Fred Meyer has traditionally offered customers the convenience of purchasing groceries and other household essentials during a single visit. The James Center location currently lists a bakery, deli, meat department, pharmacy, floral department, general merchandise, and grocery pickup services.

Losing those services could require customers to visit multiple businesses for purchases they previously made at one location. For shoppers adjusting their routines, creating a detailed grocery list and combining errands could make the transition easier.

Additional practical money-saving shopping strategies may help households manage their grocery spending as they explore alternative stores. The convenience of one-stop shopping can be difficult to replace, particularly for people with limited time.

Nearby Fred Meyer and QFC Stores Remain Available

Fred Meyer has directed customers toward several nearby locations, including Tacoma-Stevens, Fred Meyer University Place at 6305 Bridgeport Way West, and QFC Parkland at 11104 Pacific Avenue. The company also identified QFC Northshore at 4101 49th Avenue NE in Tacoma as another option.

However, switching stores does not automatically guarantee the same prices, promotions, or shopping experience. Customers can compare weekly advertisements, check available discounts, and consider simple ways to reduce grocery spending before settling into a new routine.

Other practical frugal shopping habits include comparing store brands, using coupons, and planning purchases around household needs.

City Officials Hope Another Grocery Store Will Fill the Space

Tacoma officials have acknowledged the importance of finding a replacement for the departing supermarket. In a September 1 statement, Mayor Anders Ibsen said the city’s economic development team would work with the James Center landlord to attract a new tenant.

The property manager has also expressed interest in bringing another grocery business into the location.

The closure comes amid Kroger’s broader restructuring efforts. In June 2025, the company announced plans to close approximately 60 stores nationwide over 18 months, citing business performance and operational efficiency.

While Kroger expects financial benefits from its restructuring, Tacoma residents face the immediate challenge of losing another established shopping destination. No replacement supermarket has been confirmed for James Center.

For Tacoma shoppers and employees, the biggest concern is not simply losing another Fred Meyer, but whether affordable, convenient grocery shopping and dependable local jobs will remain within reach.