Your impressions of Haggen markets?

[Teckeeee]

I am glad Haggen's isn't coming to my neighborhood. A scaled down Whole Foods I don't need. The District is right down the street so there's Whole Foods.

Tustin Ranch has Ansar Gallery, Sprouts, plenty of diverse choices.

Whether I am in CM or TR Target sells food. Stater Bros is kinda dated and gritty but it works.

[Vary]

I don't think they bought all Albertsons...I heard Albertsons merged with Safeway, and they sold off some of the stores to Haggen. The Trabuco Canyon Albertsons became a Haggens last month. I think it depends on the area they're in as to whether they'll do well.

[LuvSouthOC]

Originally Posted by Teckeeee

I am glad Haggen's isn't coming to my neighborhood. A scaled down Whole Foods I don't need. The District is right down the street so there's Whole Foods.

Tustin Ranch has Ansar Gallery, Sprouts, plenty of diverse choices.

Whether I am in CM or TR Target sells food. Stater Bros is kinda dated and gritty but it works.

I used to go to Ansar Gallery in TR, but now that we have Wholesome Choice in Laguna Niguel, I don't go any longer. Ansar Gallery was decent for those of us who like Persian food, and certainly has amazing prices on produce. However, much of Ansar seemed a bit lower-tiered and thus I when I went there, it was only for produce and a few other select Persian goodies.

[Teckeeee]

Originally Posted by LuvSouthOC

I used to go to Ansar Gallery in TR, but now that we have Wholesome Choice in Laguna Niguel, I don't go any longer. Ansar Gallery was decent for those of us who like Persian food, and certainly has amazing prices on produce. However, much of Ansar seemed a bit lower-tiered and thus I when I went there, it was only for produce and a few other select Persian goodies.

The store, yes is no frills, and a bit cheesy with their car giveaways............I just like their ethnic selection.


Will check out WC thanks for the tip.

[Scott5280]

Heard that the Haggen in the old South Aliso Beach locale was still carrying Albertson's products well after the conversion. Glad Pavillion's still has their newer North Laguna store; it's nice to actually have so many parking spaces in that area.

[LuvSouthOC]

I went to the Haggen here in Laguna Niguel.

Preliminary thoughts:

Who was the person stupid enough to pick our Vons as a place to put a store? Vons knew how this would end. We are in a super saturated market. Across the street is an Albertsons. Down the road is a Gelsons. Close by is Whole Foods, Sprouts and Wholesome Choice. We have a Ralphs down the street too. Trader Joes is not far. To survive, Haggen needed to really stand out. It doesn't.

Observations:

Nearly no one in the store.
Priced pretty much like Ralphs.
The staff was friendly.
The deli is hu hum, like a very scaled down Wegman's if anyone knows that store.
The fish prices were high ($25 for sea bass) and since there is no turn over, I won't get anywhere near it.
The pastries are attractive, but Wholesome Choice is nicer IMO.
The veggies section was ok, attractive, but nothing that can draw me from Sprouts.
I couldn't find things I need that I buy from WF like unbleached and unenriched flour.
There were some healthy choices I find in Sprouts (e.g. El Tortilla organic tortillas made with unbleached and unenriched flour, etc.), but the store didn't come accross as a serious competitor to Whole Foods or Sprouts to me.
No good vitamin/supplement section.
No good cheeses.
A boooring wine section. Hello, we have Whole Foods, Trader Joes, two Costcos in town, and a Bevmo down the street. Really now?

Haggen seems to only be a competitor to Ralphs, a store that seems to just be hanging in there itself.

This will end badly since people in OC are careful with their money.

[Traxan]

Bye bye Haggen. Leaving SoCal completely.

Haggen to exit Southern California, refocus on Northwest stores - The Orange County Register

[LuvSouthOC]

Originally Posted by Traxan

Bye bye Haggen. Leaving SoCal completely.

Haggen to exit Southern California, refocus on Northwest stores - The Orange County Register

It's not like I didn't see that coming.

But Haggen lawsuit goes after Albertsons.

[ysr_racer]

Originally Posted by Andy Patrizio

Your impressions of Haggen markets?

Sorry, I don't do impressions