Skyway's First Supermarket in Five Years to Hold March 23 Grand Opening

Berkeley, CA-based Grocery Outlet is set to launch Skyway's first grocery store in five years this weekend and will be operated by local ownership, according to a news release.

Seattle-area natives Erin and Jeff McNeil will open a Grocery Outlet store in the Skyway/Bryn Mawr with a ribbon cutting will be held on Wednesday, March 20 at 6 p.m. and a grand opening scheduled for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 23.

The largest “extreme-value” grocer in the U.S. with more than 185 store locations nationwide, the Skyway store is the second location owned by the McNeil family, the first of which is located in the nearby city of Renton. There are five other locations in the city of Seattle, and over a dozen in the greater Seattle market. The supermarket chain boasts prices up to 50 percent less than conventional supermarkets and retailers on brand name, quality foods and merchandise.

"For more than five years, Skyway residents have not had the luxury and convenience of a local supermarket,” said Jeff McNeil, Skyway Grocery Outlet owner and operator. “With the opening of our new Grocery Outlet in Skyway, no longer do these residents need to travel miles away to get fresh produce, organic goods, USDA-certified meats and everyday essentials, all at a bargain price."

The new store is located in the Skyway Park Shopping Center at 11656 68th Avenue South in Seattle at the corner of Renton Avenue South and 68th Avenue.

Owners Jeff & Erin McNeil bring more than 50 years of combined grocery retail experience to their Grocery Outlet locations, according to the news release. Jeff started in the grocery industry as a courtesy clerk, working his way up to management positions and eventually as store director for various independent grocers in the Seattle area. Jeff also spent a decade running his own grocery consulting/ information technology company. Erin spent 15 years in various grocery retail management positions, and spent the last five years as a buyer for a gourmet grocery store in Seattle.

"Being Grocery Outlet owners and operators allows them to display passion and commitment to their stores and to their local communities, said the statement. "They customize the store’s décor to reflect the local community’s history."

The new Skyway location will eventually be custom-designed to reflect the culture and history of the area. The retro, musically-themed design and décor will fully debut in mid-April. The McNeils are actively involved in the West Hill Business Association, the West Hill Community Association, and the Renton Chamber of Commerce.

At approximately 15,500 square feet, the new Grocery Outlet location will feature spacious aisles of product offerings, including an expanded Natural, Organic, Specialty and Healthy (NOSH) section, as well as fully-stocked produce, milk, meat, specialty cheeses, wine and vitamin departments.

"In addition to offering our customers deeply-discounted prices and quality products, we strive to create a very personal, comfortable, neighborhood shopping experience for our customers, atypical from the usual discount atmosphere," continues McNeil.

A pallet of groceries will be donated to Seattle’s Miracles Food Bank and Outreach and St. Stephens the Martyr Catholic Church in Renton. The free Grand Opening celebration on March 23 will also include prize giveaways, including free groceries, a 42-inch television, and his/her beach cruisers. Additional festivities include family activities, free morning coffee and treats, and a $1 hot dog and beverage sale, with proceeds benefiting V.F.W. Skyway Post 9430.

For more information on the Skyway store, please visit http://www.groceryoutlet.com/Skyway-WA or visit their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SkywayGroceryOutlet.

(Ed. Note: Information provided for this article is from a Grocery Outlet news release.)