Gelson's Is Expanding

You've no doubt noticed that Haggan, the latest player in the highly competitive supermarket business, is closing it's doors, after only a few months in San Diego.  All stores in this area have closed.  Industry insiders were skeptical of the Haggan strategy, opening so many stores and increasing the number of employees so rapidly.  Industry insiders were right, and Haggan is going back to the Northwest and continuing their operations there.  In the meantime, Smart and Final and Gelson's were both vying for the Haggan locations.  Gelson's seems to have won out, as they are opening eight stores in Southern California.

Gelson's will soon be found in Carlsbad, Del Mar, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Beach, San Diego, Rancho Mirage, Santa Monica, and Thousand Oaks.

For those of you who are not from Los Angeles and don't know what a great supermarket it is, I will explain.  I was a customer of the Century City store for years, and also frequented the Encino stores.  They are upscale supermarkets, with only first quality produce and meat.  Friendly and knowledgeable employees can be found in every department.  Yes, it is more expensive than Ralphs or Vons, but the food is the highest quality you can find, anywhere.  Gelson's has a deli and prepared food section that is outstanding.  Hopefully they will carry a good Jewish rye bread, something I have yet to find anywhere in San Diego.  Most stores have special events, like wine tasting, or recently, hatch chili roasting and tasting.  Their website has a great blog, with recipes and nutritional information.

I wonder how all these supermarkets survive.  We've got traditional markets like Ralphs and Vons, bargain markets like Food For Less, high end markets like Bristol Farms, organic and health oriented markets like Whole Foods, Sprouts and Frazier Farms.  Then we have Trader Joes.  Gelson's will fit into the high end section, and hopefully they will find a following.  I for one can't wait until they open.