Andronico's Community Market in San Anselmo Changing Name, Ownership

SAN ANSELMO, CA -- The Andronico's Community Market here will soon be no more, as the small chain of five grocery stores has been bought out by supermarket giant Safeway.

The former Andronico's locations are expected to be renamed Safeway Community Market; the transition is expected to be complete by mid-December, according to Andronico's CEO Suzy Monford.

Andronico's owner Renovo Capital, which acquired the chain out of bankruptcy in 2011, said it approached Safeway earlier this year about purchasing their stores in Berkeley, Los Altos, San Anselmo and San Francisco. The goal, according to Renovo, was to preserve union jobs and keeping the stores operating in the same friendly, local way.

“Andronico’s Community Markets have developed a well-respected brand and loyal customer base, and we are committed to keeping the local heritage alive," Safeway Northern California President Tom Schwilke said in a statement. "Our goal is to preserve everything great about Andronico’s while adding Safeway’s innovations and great Own Brands products including O Organics.”

Safeway and Andronico’s have said they're working together to ensure a smooth transition for store employees and customers. Andronico’s employees will continue working in their current assignments with their same pay rates and benefits.

The evolution of these stores is expected to give customers new everyday low prices, as well as expand the local, fresh and organic options they've come to expect at both stores. Also, according to Safeway, a successful transition is expected to create the potential for more jobs in the future.

Photo courtesy of Bea Karnes/Patch