Zupan’s Market on SE Belmont is closing. The rumor mill says the store is vacating in two weeks.
[updated] And then there were three. Word on the street is that the Zupan’s SE Belmont location lost their lease. At this point they have stopped ordering perishables, other goods will not be restocked after the 8th. The store will close on January 22nd. As of this point over 50% of their employees have been placed at other locations within the chain.
The 10,000 square foot Zupan’s Belmont store opened in 1996 in the former Carnation Dairy building. Following the Belmont closure, they will have stores at 2340 W. Burnside in the Uptown Shopping Center, 16380 Boones Ferry Rd in Lake Oswego, and at 7721 SW Macadam. The chain, founded in 1975, has slowly imploded over the years, closing stores in Jantzen Beach, Raleigh Hills, West Linn, Salmon Creek, Battleground, McMinnville, Sherwood, Vancouver, Roseburg and Tigard. In 2011, founder John Zupan died in a car accident, just after his son, Mike took over the business.
I used to shop at Zupan’s all the time, but their prices have climbed so much over the years, I finally switched to Whole Foods.
Jjmpdx says
Don’t forget the lease that they broke for the new store at 16th & NE Broadway about ten years ago.
I’m sorry to see the store go. But I’m eager to see Market of Choice coming strongly into town
PDX Food Dude says
I forgot about that one. Used to buy wine there
Ryan Stively says
Is market of choice going to take over the space?
jjmpdx says
No. market of choice is opening in the new “goat blocks” bldg at 12th & Belmont
Kade says
Per their website: Mike, the son of founder John, took over in the early 2000s, not just prior to John’s death
Jim Felt says
I just hate to see any decent Portland owned “chain” implode regardless of the reason. Competition, inattention, lousy management, deep pocketed national intruders, whatever. And no John Zupan.
Jim says
The reality is that the Portland market is about 35% over capacity for grocery stores right now. Zups has the best Deli and prepared foods, meat dept. is great but they have no buying power at all – no scale. Closing Belmont was smart because they really would get hammered by MOC coming in.
Ed says
Apparently moc didn’t learn a thing from Z. Their products are overpriced and elitist. I’ve been in twice and ended up walking out not buying anything.
PDX Food Dude says
I’m not surprised. Their prices have always been pretty high, and the lease can’t be cheap there.