TACOMA, WA — Fred Meyer said Friday it has decided to close its James Center store in Tacoma after what the company called a careful evaluation. The grocery chain said the location at 6901 South 19th Street will shut, though it did not give a date for when the closure will take effect.

The store is one of only two Fred Meyer locations in Tacoma, according to the company’s store finder. In a statement provided to FOX 13, a Fred Meyer spokesperson said the company does not take store closures lightly and remains committed to serving Tacoma-area shoppers through nearby locations.

Company Announcement

Fred Meyer pointed customers to four other stores in the area: Fred Meyer Tacoma Stevens at 4505 South 19th Street in Tacoma, QFC Parkland at 11104 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, Fred Meyer University Place at 6305 Bridgeport Way West in University Place, and QFC Northshore at 4101 49th Avenue NE in Tacoma.

The company is part of Kroger, along with QFC. Fred Meyer also said it operates 54 stores across 42 cities in Washington. The spokesperson did not say whether the Tacoma closure would affect any other local stores or future service plans in the region.

Union Raises Concerns

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union came out against the closure, saying it could leave West Tacoma without enough easy access to groceries. UFCW 367 said the move threatens to create an immediate food desert and affects 100 unionized employees.

The union said the impact would be felt most by seniors, lower-income households and families that rely on public transportation. In its statement, UFCW 367 said it will focus on supporting members after the closure and will bargain over the impact of the decision.

What Happens Next

Fred Meyer has not announced the final closing date, so customers who shop the James Center location will need to watch for further notice from the company. The retailer said it wants Tacoma-area shoppers to use its nearby Fred Meyer and QFC stores instead.

Workers and shoppers seeking more information can check Fred Meyer’s website and the local union’s statements for updates as the closure process moves forward. The company’s Seattle-area response is likely to remain focused on redirecting customers to existing stores rather than expanding on the timing of the shutdown.

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