Fresh And Easy At Former How's? Still Just A Rumor

Rumors have been swirling around the future of the former How's Grocery store in Knollwood Plaza, from the more racial fear-tinged tales ("I heard it's going to be a Super-A!" or "It's going to be a Vallarta!") to the more generally speculative but hopeful expressed desire for a Fresh & Easy, the supermarket for people who aren't excessively fond of cooking.

The GigaGranadaHills inbox has seen a number of "certain" and "confirmed" emails with news tips that the new site will definitely be a Fresh & Easy. Definitely.

If that's true, Fresh & Easy is surprisingly publicity-shy. Brendan Wonnacott, Fresh & Easy's Communications Director yesterday told GigaGranadaHills that "We’re looking at a number of sites in the Valley, but can’t confirm any specifics at this point."

So settle down, people. The good people of Balboa Highlands must be desperate for a convenient shopping location, to be sure, but for now, developments are still just in the rumor stage. Sorry.

Comments

  1. Tom TcimpidisSeptember 24, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    Something is happening at the old How's market location... There is now a construction fence and blinders all the way around the front of the store, a construction trailer in the parking lot, and a number of workers coming, going, and inside.

    They may just be stripping the store to make it more marketable to a prospective tenant, or it may be the actual start of construction for a specific client... All I know for sure is that the How's sign is still up.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 24, 2011 at 11:19 PM

    It went through zoning in June. I have no idea what the secrecy is. I guess we should ask Mitch on Monday when hew is the speaker at GHNNC.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousSeptember 24, 2011 at 11:53 PM

    Gee, I wonder if we'll now get that stop light that was promised for there over 5 years go!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tom TcimpidisSeptember 26, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    I stopped by the construction over the weekend and spoke to a gentleman there. Yes, it is indeed a Fresh and Easy that is going in. It's due to open the end of October.

    I'm still waiting on that stop light too!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2011 at 12:06 PM

    Adel, the nice man at the Knollwood Pharmacy mailbox counter also confirmed that it's a F&E. End of October would be great! Fingers crossed...

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousOctober 15, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    Huh? Please explain how "I heard it's going to be a Super-A!" or "It's going to be a Vallarta!" is "racial fear-tinged." Surely you don't believe someone is a racist for preferring Fresh & Easy to an ethnic market...

    ReplyDelete
  7. L.J. WilliamsonOctober 16, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    No, I don't believe a non-Latino is racist for preferring to shop at a non-Latino market. But I do wonder about what motivates people to spread rumors that are based on nothing more than speculation and hearsay -- and there was never any evidence supporting the Vallarta/Super A rumors. Maybe I was reading this in, but I did see an alarmist tone in that speculation as it was bandied about Facebook. I didn't say "racist," I said "fear-tinged."

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousOctober 19, 2011 at 2:45 AM

    I like Vallarta. Everytime I go shopping I feel like I've been to a party.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousOctober 20, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    I feel as if I am in Mexico City... It is not a good feeling!

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousOctober 22, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    A Vallarta in the middle of Koreatown-north does not make a whole lot of economic sense. Although they are the only place to get tomatillos for my salsas. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousOctober 25, 2011 at 1:03 PM

    Is giga granada hills dead?

    ReplyDelete
  12. L.J. WilliamsonOctober 25, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    No, I'm just taking a nap.

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousOctober 26, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    Mama in her kerchief....

    ReplyDelete
  14. Kim ThompsonNovember 6, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    I believe Sue DeVandry accidentally started the rumor because she WISHED for a Vallarta. (if you wish out loud in a small place like GH, it's bound to spread) It is one of her favorite stores and she is hoping that one will go in the old Albertson's now. Since Sue knows how to cook and definitely how to entertain, I'm guessing she's right about Vallarta and it's made me want to stop at the next one I pass...

    ReplyDelete
  15. Kim ThompsonNovember 6, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    Hilarious song Linda. You're the best.

    And what is a Super A? I've never heard of such a store.

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousNovember 12, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    What you said was, "racial 'fear-tinged.'" People are just curious about whether the new market will meet their shopping needs. Period. It's not about race.

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousNovember 22, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    IT'S CONFIRMED. Check out the job postings at http://www.freshandeasy.com/joinus.aspx. Specifically, the 11/18 posting for a store lead in Granada Hills (Balboa and Midwood). BUSTED!

    ReplyDelete
  18. L.J. WilliamsonNovember 23, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    You're commenting on a 2 month old post and I'm the one that's busted?

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousNovember 30, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    I was saying that Fresh&Easy was busted, that the cat is out of the bag. With the images of the F&E invoice on the Giga home page and the job posting on the F&E website, there is no need for confirmation from them. This is not rumor anymore.

    -HipHopAnonymous

    ReplyDelete

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