Rosauers Supermarkets is excited by its newly revealed Ridgefield store, and its success could mean more of its stores in the region.
President and CEO Jeff Philipps told The Columbian that the upcoming store is a blend of old and new strategies: It will open in a close-knit community while being within driving distance of a major urban center.
The new location, however, is the company’s first in Clark County and its first foray west of the Cascade Range. If it goes well, he said he could see more of them here.
“I think this will be our first store on the west side that we’ve built, and we’ll see (if it succeeds),” he said. If so, “that could lead to more investment on the west side.”
The Port of Ridgefield announced a purchase-and-sale agreement with Discovery Ridge LLC on Wednesday, exchanging $1.2 million for about 9 acres at the southeast corner of 45th Avenue and Pioneer Street.
Contractors FDM Development expect to break ground on a shopping center, anchored by a 53,000-square-foot Rosauers, this summer. It could open by Spring 2019.
Rosauers, a wholly owned subsidiary of Spokane-based URM Stores, has added a new store about every three years, Philipps said. He said the company picks its locations carefully.
However, Philipps said the company has not yet looked at any other Clark County locations.
Other sites regularly brought up in the grocery store talks include Block 10, a gravel lot in downtown Vancouver that is expected to be turned into a grocery store and apartments; as well as 150 acres that La Center is developing near Ilani Casino Resort.
“We have not had any conversations about these other sites,” Philipps said.
The Ridgefield Rosauers will have a drive-thru pharmacy, scratch bakery, full-service meat counter and a deli, among other amenities. It will also have a Huckleberry’s department selling organic food.
Rosauers will also operate a gas station nearby, though it will be on property still owned by the Port of Ridgefield.
