Fred Meyer plans to build new food store in Ellensburg

SEATTLE - Portland-based Fred Meyer said it acquired 18.4 acres in Ellensburg and will begin construction of a 128,000-square-foot store there this spring.

The real-estate deal was handled by the Bellevue office of Kennedy Wilson Properties. It took three years to acquire the five adjoining pieces of land, none of which were for sale.

Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

Fred Meyer operates 143 department stores in six Western states and is part of Kroger, now the largest food retailer in the United States.