Haggen (pronounced “hay-gunn”) is a Bellingham, Washington based grocery store chain founded in 1933 that operates 18 stores in Washington and Oregon. Last December, it acquired 146 Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions stores in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington; 83 of these stores are located in California.

What brought about this sale was a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ruling that 168 stores be divested as part of the Albertsons/Vons merger to ensure adequate competition. Haggen purchased the majority of these stores, with the remaining 22 stores (not located in California) purchased by other grovery chains.

Haggen has begun taking ownership and converting the 83 stores across California in March, April and May. The first store converted to Haggen was the Albertsons in Carlsbad, which became Haggen on March 9th.

So here are the stores set to become Haggen stores this April in Ventura County and adjacent areas:

• Ventura (7800 Telegraph Road - former Albertsons)
• Newbury Park (2100 Newbury Road - former Vons)
• Oxnard (920 N. Ventura Road - former Albertsons)
• Westlake Village (5770 Lindero Canyon Road - former Albertsons)
• Thousand Oaks (1736 E. Avenida de los Arboles - former Albertsons)
• Simi Valley (2800 Cochran - former Albertsons)
• Camarillo (2400 Las Posas Road - former Albertsons)
• Simi Valley (5135 Los Angeles Avenue - former Albertsons)

Haggen notes that shoppers can expect enhanced, fresh offerings, homegrown quality and affordable prices, along with exceptional service and the friendly faces they already know in the stores that have been acquired. As each new store is transformed into the Haggen brand, employees will be invited to become Haggen employees. 

Haggen indicates that is supports regional farms, ranches, fisheries and other businesses, creating a lasting and sustainable local food economy. For more information, visit haggen.com.