Grocery Outlet Opens New Store in Madrona Community, Seattle; Grand Opening Scheduled for October 8, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m

Business Wire, Oct 4, 2005

SEATTLE -- www.groceryoutlets.com -- Grocery Outlet, the leading name brand/extreme-value grocer in the United States, announced today that it will open its Madrona community store in Seattle on October 8th.

The Madrona community Grocery Outlet store is located at 1126 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way at Union Street, Seattle, WA, 98122. The new 13,000 sq. ft. location has been given a major renovation over the past six months, and shoppers will encounter a light, inviting interior that makes it easy to find farm fresh produce and dairy products, beer and wine, frozen and refrigerated foods, dry grocery, health and beauty care, over-the-counter drugs and general merchandise at bargain prices. Plans also call for a repaved and restriped parking lot. Grand opening events begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 8th with the first 100 adults in line receiving a free George Foreman Grill. All adults can enter a drawing to win a 2005 Ford Focus, with no purchase necessary. On both days coffee and treats will be provided and everyone attending will be able to play Spin the Wheel of Bargains for an assortment of prizes.

"Washington state and Seattle are the hub of our Northwest strategy and we've been well-received by our many loyal customers -- they are responsible for the growth that enables us to open two stores -- Madrona, Seattle and Marysville, WA -- on the same day," said Jon Wylie, vice president of marketing for Grocery Outlet. "Dedicated to quality products, extreme value and exceptional service, Grocery Outlet provides communities with a unique 'bargains only' shopping experience. Our independent operators, Steve and Debbie Mullen, bring Seattle's Madrona neighborhood more than two decades of grocery business expertise."

Steve Mullen said, "We've got a great selection at bargain prices. To demonstrate our dedication to the community, we're hosting a $1.00 hot dog and soda benefit for Madrona K-8 PTSA. Debbie and I look forward to meeting folks from the Madrona, Seattle community on Saturday and Sunday. We plan to establish relationships that will last for many years -- as store operators, we have a stake in the neighborhood and we're here to stay."

For almost 60 years Grocery Outlet has built relationships with more than 2,500 manufacturers of food, beverage and consumer goods to bring name brand, extreme-value purchases to its customers. Grocery Outlet quality product lines include fresh produce and dairy, frozen and refrigerated foods, dry grocery, beer and wine, health and beauty care, over-the-counter drugs and general merchandise.

Grocery Outlet is the largest name brand/extreme-value grocer in the United States with 125 stores in the U.S., including locations in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Founded in San Francisco in 1946, the company is privately held. In 2004, Grocery Outlet sales revenues exceeded $500 million.