We’ve been hearing rumors that the Albertsons supermarket would be closing soon here on the Balboa Peninsula, as well as all the stores in the complex near it. Apparently this is true, not that there’s been any local press about it.
I just heard back from my local city councilman, Michael Henn, who told me:
The City received the WARN Act notice from Albertsons about a month ago that the store would be closing on August 19th. The leases for all tenants expire on August 31st, as I understand it. So, I expect the center will be dark as of that date. The owner of the center is processing final permit approval with the Coastal Commission and construction plan approvals through the City for the remodeling, which I expect will start some time in the next few months.
The shopping center takes up nearly an entire city block. The supermarket is one of two that serve the area, so we’re not stuck — but it’s going to be a big crunch. Also departing will be these local businesses:
- Carl’s Jr
- KFC
- Fantastic Sam’s
- Let It Roll Bicycle Rental
- China Kitchen
- Newport Nails
And several others that I can’t recall off the top of my head, right now, including a dry cleaners.
Perhaps the biggest concern I have is that the entire center is going to be closed for months. I mean, the area doesn’t look that great to begin with, but what a mess. And how strange to do this right in the middle of the summer rush period.
The neighborhood rumors we’ve been hearing is that the Pavilions supermarket that’s nearby in Lido Marina Village will be relocated into the new shopping center. And further, that the property owners want to redevelop Lido Marina Village in some way — with new housing potentially going up on the site of the current city hall, after it relocates to a new direction.
Here’s a marked-up map on Google, that pinpoints the locations:
View Balboa Peninsula Redevelopment & Albertson’s Closure in a larger map
Earlier this month, the Daily Pilot did report about the Lido Marina Village redevelopment. But there was no mention of the Albertsons center redevelopment, and how that might play into things.
Personally, I hope the old city hall site gets turned into a park. The city just had a study session yesterday, so I’ll be checking back to see what’s coming out of that and paying more attention to things, myself.
And how sad — there go some of my Foursquare mayorships 
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