WinCo opens to enthusiasm in 'grocery desert,' despite hiccup

Dozens of people eager for deals crowded into Southeast Portland's new WinCo Foods store as it opened its doors at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Despite a glitch affecting the store's card readers, most shoppers seemed excited to have the grocer in the former Food 4 Less location near Southeast 82nd and Powell. (Shoppers used checks or withdrew cash from an onsite ATM until the problem was resolved.)

The Idaho chain, known for its low prices, bulk bins and employee ownership model, has developed a following over the years.

Specials for the store's opening included 12-packs of Pepsi for $1.98, fresh sweet corn for 24 cents an ear and pork spareribs for 98 cents a pound.

Nearby competition for the grocery store includes a Walmart at Southeast 82nd and Holgate and Fubonn, an Asian supermarket, just a few blocks away from the new WinCo.

The new store joins 12 other WinCo stores in the Portland area, but is the closest to downtown Portland yet. At roughly 50,000 square feet, it's one of the chain's smallest. (That's why it doesn't have a full-service bakery.)

The new store will make life a lot easier for people like Maria Ermine, 52, who lives at 28th and Powell.

In the past, she's had to take two buses and the train to get to the WinCo near Northeast 122nd and Halsey, she said. Now, she'll just be able to hop on the No. 9 bus.

Rachael Waas Shull, a 34-year-old nurse who lives about 10 blocks away from the store, said the opening will cut down significantly on her grocery trips, too, as she only shops at WinCo.

"It's a bit of a grocery desert here, so this is awesome," she said.

Steve and Vicki Cunningham, who live near Southeast 82nd and Duke and usually shop at a variety of stores - including WinCo - said they were pleased with their haul: For $25, they were able to fill their cart, they said.

"We've been looking forward to this," Steve Cunningham said.

-- Anna Marum

amarum@oregonian.com
503-294-5911
@annamarum

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