News that Draeger’s Market is closing one of its East Bay locations has raised questions among some Peninsula shoppers, but the longtime grocer’s Los Altos store is expected to remain open and is performing strongly, according to owner John Draeger.
Owners of the grocery store chain announced two weeks ago that the Blackhawk Plaza store in Danville will close after nearly 20 years. According to Draeger, the decision followed years of decline at the shopping center that ultimately affected the store’s viability.
Founded more than a century ago, Draeger’s Market marked its 100th anniversary last year. With the Danville closure, the company now operates two locations — in Los Altos and Menlo Park.
“When we opened the store in Danville in 2007, we were impressed with the beautiful Blackhawk Plaza shopping center. We believed in the potential of the site and the demographics were good. At the time, the shopping center was fully leased, well maintained, and an inviting place for customers to shop,” Draeger said in an email to the Town Crier.
But over the years, Draeger said that “the condition and maintenance of the shopping center declined and vacancies increased,” creating “a real impact on customer traffic and, ultimately, on our ability to operate the store successfully.”
“After a great deal of thought, this led to the difficult decision to close the Blackhawk location,” Draeger said.
In a follow-up comment, Draeger emphasized that the deterioration of Blackhawk Plaza in recent years had been “significant.”
Those challenges, however, are not present at the Los Altos location, which Draeger said benefits from a vibrant downtown setting and loyal customer base.
“In Los Altos, we are fortunate to be part of a vibrant, well-cared-for downtown that draws people in and supports a strong sense of community,” Draeger said. “The health and performance of our Los Altos store are excellent.”
Draeger said the Los Altos store “cotinues to be an important and thriving part of our business,” citing customer loyalty and the surrounding downtown setting.
He added that factors such as shopping center conditions and landlord relationships play a meaningful role in determining whether a store can succeed over the long term.
“In Los Altos, the strength of the downtown environment makes a positive difference and supports the long-term success of the store,” Draeger said.
Following the Blackhawk closure, Draeger said customers and employees in Los Altos should understand that the company’s direction locally remains unchanged. He said the company remains committed to maintaining its presence in communities where conditions support long-term success.
“Draeger’s longstanding commitment to quality, service, and the communities we serve remains unchanged,” he said. “We are proud to continue serving Los Altos and Menlo Park, both of which are strong, valued locations for our company.”
