Vacant Grand Junction Grocery Store Likely to Remain That Way

A building recently occupied by a Grand Junction grocery store is likely to remain vacant for the foreseeable future.

The Safeway store in the in the Monument Village Shopping Center was closed earlier this year by parent company Albertson's. However, the company has a long-term lease in place that could stall any new business from opening in the former grocery store.

According to a KKCO 11 News story, Albertson's has thirteen years left on their lease, with the next option to end the lease or continue another five years in 2017.

Another reason the building may remain vacant is that Albertson's has informed the landlord of the Monument Village Shopping Center it will not give up its lease unless there is a guarantee the building will not be occupied by a grocery or other store the company feels would compete with them.

So, even with other businesses interested in the space, property manager Carol Christensen is unable to move forward with future tenants until Albertson's ends their lease.

Dr. Ron Engler, who operates a chiropractic office in the shopping center, has started a petition against Albertson's. He hopes the grocery chain will respond to neighborhood concerns and allow a business to move into the space rather than leave it vacant for years.

Persons wishing to sign the petition can do so at Redlands Chiropractic and Wellness Center.

[KKCO 11 News]