Groceteria.com

For those of you keeping score, I've come across a So Cal Albertsons store (Supervalu operated) that is to close soon. The location is 17202 S. Norwalk Blvd., Cerritos, CA 90703. Note that the Albertsons website and panel displays have incorrectly located this store in Artesia (the zipcode was split from 90701 in the mid 1990s.)

I can't find any news items about this store. From the property owner, it appears this center opened in 1974. The store has, of course, its original Lucky interior aside from the front, which was slightly modified in 1999 (the Lucky sign was briefly applied to this store with the green tile front, for a matter of months before the Albertsons signage arrived.)

Property owners website: http://www.jfrco.com/pages/cerritos.htm

Note that the site plan states this is a 27,772 sq. ft. store, and yes, the Albertsons name is over where the site plan originally said Lucky.

My photos:
Front Side-Angle: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7591905@N07/470916109/
Front: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7591905@N07/470916111/
Entry Area: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7591905@N07/470916129/
Service Deli/Bakery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7591905@N07/470913732/
Produce Department: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7591905@N07/470913736/

Get this, they were restocking the produce department! What a trip.

So here's the question: anyone know what the deal is with this property? Is this a closure for a remodel or has this property been sold or chosen for closing? It wasn't a high volume store, even in the Lucky days, but its also not that big. I noticed the checkout clerks all had add-on paper tags hung from their nametag stating which Albertsons store they were transferred to, so I just asked what the deal was. The clerks said they had about 2 weeks notice and were allowed to transfer out (I assume on a seniority basis.) I asked if it was just being closed for remodel but the clerks seemed to think this property has been sold... or there might not be the need for transferring out.

Any information?
Edit: changed title to reflect follow-up. Keeping both stores in same thread since it appears they are part of same plan, whatever it is.

Given the size and location of the store, I'd guess it's going to become some sort of Asian supermarket--either east Asian (Cerritos) or south Asian (Artesia.)

I'm not sure that this warrants a separate thread, but as a follow-up...

The 7050 Katella Ave, Stanton store is also closing this week, with a similar close-out sale going on. The situation is the same, nobody at the store seems to know what the future holds for this location either.

Freestanding Sign: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7591905@N07/472944508/
Front Shot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7591905@N07/472944494/
East entry closeup: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7591905@N07/472944498/
Produce "Alcove" area: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7591905@N0 ... otostream/

Both the Cerritos and Stanton stores are of similar size (granted, not identical) but neither have the room to be combo stores. They are both former Lucky stores with their Lucky interior intact - albeit in rough condition. The Stanton location is down the street from another closed store, a former Smiths-Lucky/Savon-ABS/Savon at 7910 Katella Ave.

Again, no news items or leads on what the future holds for either location.

I wonder if that means the Albertsons in Montebello is going to close soon. I havent seen anything yet.