Downtown Albertsons headed for upscale makeover

Albertsons on Guadalupe Street to include mobile shopping, in-store dining

Owners of the Albertsons Market at the DeVargas Center mall on Wednesday released new details of a planned makeover that will bring in-store dining and other new offerings for customers at the north-side supermarket.

The United Family, the division of Albertsons LLC that operates stores in New Mexico and Texas, said its Market Street concept emphasizes personal service, including online shopping and delivery.

While the chain operates 18 such stores in Texas, the North Guadalupe Street store will be the first Market Street location in New Mexico.

The Market Street concept is Albertsons’ pitch to consumers whose expectations of service and selection have changed in the past decade. The store will also incorporate its StreetSide service, which uses a mobile phone app that allows members to shop and order groceries for pickup with no additional fee, or have them delivered at additional cost. Market Street also provides a concierge service for event planning and catering, a wellness section and a gift boutique.

The DeVargas location and its clientele lend itself to the Market Street concept, said Travis Chaney, Albuquerque regional vice president for Albertsons Market.

While the store will still stock the in-house Albertsons’ brand of everyday grocery items, Chaney said the Market Street concept is to create a foodie destination that advertises fresh and healthy choices, organically grown foods, gourmet options and meals prepared to eat at home or in the store.

“If you like Sprouts [Farmers Market] and you shop for those types of items, or a Whole Foods, and you can’t buy

your whole grocery bill there, this is an option for those items,” Chaney said.

The Sprouts chain also has a store in the DeVargas Center; Whole Foods has a store on Cerrillos Road.

The Albertsons store will remain open during the transition, according to a company announcement. The work may be complete in time for a soft opening for the holidays, Chaney said. The company expects a grand opening in early 2019.

The change will create 150 new jobs in addition to the approximately 200 workers already employed there. Chaney said that with increased sales will come a need for more cashiers and clerks around the 63,000-square-foot store, and increased food service will require additional hires.

“With expanded food service, a very labor-intensive service, a lot of different bodies do those jobs,” Chaney said.

Market Street will feature a soup and salad bar, hot wings, sandwiches, sushi, gourmet pizza, Vietnamese pho, a selection of gourmet cheeses, craft beer and wine, he said.

“Market Street seems to attract everyone from millennials to retirees for various reasons,” he said. “For people who live busy lifestyles, it’s easy to come in and eat a healthy meal, whether on-site or to take home and easily prepare by heating, along with standard groceries.”

The change will create 150 new jobs in addition to the approximately 200 already employed there.