Safeway to acquire 87-year-old specialty grocery

A longtime San Francisco grocery banner will soon disappear.



Safeway will acquire Andronico’s Community Markets, which operates five Andronico’s stores in the San Francisco Bay Area.



According to a statement posted on the Andronico's website, Renovo Capital, which acquired the 87-year-old Andronico’s out of bankruptcy in 2011, approached Safeway earlier this year about purchasing the stores, which are located in Berkeley (two outlets, Los Altos, San Anselmo and San Francisco.



“Andronico’s Community Markets have developed a well-respected brand and loyal customer base, and we are committed to keeping the local heritage alive. Our goal is to preserve everything great about Andronico’s while adding Safeway’s innovations and great Own Brands products including O Organics,” said Tom Schwilke, president of Safeway Northern California.



Safeway, which merged with Albertsons in 2015, has been busy expanding in the Bay Area recently. In October, it opened stores in Oakland, Walnut Creek and Pacifica.



The Andronico’s stores will be renamed Safeway Community Market, according to local reports.