Corrected Monday, Sept. 22: A previous article cited the wrong date for the next city council meeting. It is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 12:30 p.m.
EVERETT, SEPT. 19: The Everett City Council officially rebuked Kroger’s intention to close the Fred Meyer location in the Casino Road Neighborhood, calling on the company to work with the city and community for a solution.
“It’s been disappointing to hear the position of corporate representatives from Kroger and I don’t believe they’ve been upfront about their decision,” Mayor Cassie Franklin said during Wednesday’s council meeting.
The resolution passed with a 6-1 vote, Councilmember Scott Bader dissenting.
Kroger announced the closure on Monday, Aug. 18, in addition to other locations in the Pacific Northwest. In a statement Kroger said the decision was primarily due to “rising theft and a challenging regulatory environment.”
However, Everett Police crime statistics indicate that theft in the area has decreased significantly over the past four years. Overall offenses at the store fell by 49% from 2023 to 2024, going from 197 incidents to 101.
UFCW 3000, the grocery workers’ union, reports that more than 343 employees at the Everett location will be affected.
The resolution proposed by Councilmember Paula Rhyne and Franklin claims that the closure of the Fred Meyer in Southwest Everett will result in the loss of jobs and impact food and retail access in “Everett’s most diverse and economically challenged communities.”
A handful of public commenters also expressed concern and frustration over Kroger’s decision to close the Fred Meyer.
Everett resident Trisha Warren has been working at the Casino Road Fred Meyer for 12 years.
“This closure upends so many of us who have adjusted our lives around where we work. The store isn’t just a place to shop, it’s a part of our community,” Warren said during the council meeting.
By approving the resolution, Mayor Cassie Franklin and the council call on Kroger to repurpose the location to benefit the community, and to work with the city, labor leaders and business owners.
“The Everett Mayor and City Council declare this closure an act of corporate neglect, a betrayal of the community’s trust, and a profound setback for working families who deserve stability, food access, and respect,” the resolution reads.
The city has also compiled a list of resources for South Everett residents at everettwa.gov/southstores
Upcoming:
Next Wednesday, Sept. 24 council will vote on design funding for a project creating a pedestrian bridge over North Broadway, connecting Everett Community College (EvCC) and Washington State University Everett (WSU Everett).
The ordinance will provide funding authorization totaling $2.5 million. The city plans to use a portion of a Move Ahead Washington grant from the state.
A town hall forum will be held at 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29 at the Weyerhaeuser room at the Everett Station. The topic of discussion is future solutions for the city budget.
