PCC Community Markets to Open in Former New Seasons Location

PCC Community Markets will open its 14th location in what was to be a New Seasons Market in Seattle’s Central District. Portland, Ore.-based New Seasons pulled out of opening the store when it was acquired by Korea-based Good Food Holdings late last year

The 18,000-square-foot store is expected to open in the first half of the year and add about 100 jobs to the community, with about half sourced directly from the neighborhood and the other half to come from other PCC stores. The Seattle-based co-op also plans to open stores in Madison Valley, Bellevue and downtown Seattle.

“As one of the few remaining locally owned food markets in the Puget Sound, our co-op understands the rich history of the Central District and the historical significance it holds in our city,” said Cate Hardy, CEO of PCC Community Markets. “We felt it was important that this location become a grocery store, as promised to the community. As we do with any new PCC store, we will work directly with local individuals and organizations to gain a deeper understanding of how we can best support the community, with the goal of opening the store as soon as possible.”

As with all PCC stores, the Central District PCC said it would celebrate products that are fresh, local, organic, sustainably sourced and seasonal. More than 95% of PCC’s produce selection is organic. Its meats are 100% organic, non-GMO or grass-fed; its seafood is sustainably sourced adhering to Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch standards; and, whenever possible, the co-op sources its products from local producers, farmers, ranchers and fishers. Using those same ingredients, PCC chefs make salads, soups, hot entrees and side dishes fresh from scratch daily on-site in the PCC Kitchen.

As part of its decision to take the Central District location, PCC asked that some of its square footage be made available to another retailer to serve the neighborhood. PCC worked closely with the location developer, Lake Union Partners, to ensure that the square footage could benefit the community. The yet-to-be-named business will be a food and beverage establishment and, as with the other Lake Union Partner projects in the area, will have a connection to the Central District.