One Fewer Grocery

Alfalfa's Market closed its operations on Sand Point Way Northeast over the weekend with no new occupant ready to move in and with one rumored tenant denying interest in the site.

"We did look at it once, but the area is too small for us to consider at this point," said Pat St. John, spokeswoman for Trader Joe's, the Pasadena, Calif.-based specialty grocery chain. The company has stores in Bellevue and Kirkland.

The closed store is between the well-to-do neighborhoods of Windermere and Laurelhurst. It is a few minutes drive from the new QFC in University Village and a large Safeway on Northeast 45th Street. Competition also includes nearby Puget Consumers Co-op and Albertson's stores.

Previously occupied by Tradewell and Thriftway stores, the property "should be a viable retail food location," said Geza DeGall, regional manager for Alfalfa's, which closed the store after 14 months, citing losses. DeGall said he has had preliminary talks with "several parties" about taking over the space.