Upscale grocery chain to drop Thriftway name, expand

Food Markets Northwest, which owns the popular Queen Anne and Admiral Thriftways, plans to double the number of locations and rechristen the small chain of upscale grocery stores "Metropolitan Markets."

The Seattle company, best known for racing to offer Alaska's first Copper River Salmon every year, will open stores in North Seattle, Federal Way and Mercer Island by the end of next year, said spokeswoman Ilga Westberg yesterday.

It is ditching the Thriftway name to create its own identity and to avoid confusion with stores operated by other owners.

Food Markets spent two years planning the expansion. It currently operates two stores in Seattle and one in Tacoma's Proctor district. The company hopes to open in North Seattle's Hawthorn Hills this fall after completing renovation of a former Albertsons store.

Federal Way's Dash Point location would open early next year after work is completed on expanding the former QFC store there. And Mercer Island officials are considering the company's proposal to move into a building now occupied by Rentokil, an indoor plant service.

Food Markets was forced to shelve redevelopment plans for its popular Queen Anne store last August after the property's owner decided not to move forward with a proposal to build a three-story apartment building above the market.

J. Martin McOmber: 206-464-2022 or mmcomber@seattletimes.com