Safeway Says Pinole Store Not Closing

There are no plans to close the Safeway store in on Tara Hills Drive in Pinole, but it could be headed for a remodel, a company official told Pinole Patch Wednesday.

Pinole Patch received some comments from concerned readers that there have been rumors of the Pinole store's demise. We visited the store and were directed to Safeway's public relations office. We called there and were asked to submit questions in an email, which we did on Monday.

The company responded to our questions on Wednesday.

"Safeway does not plan on closing the Pinole store," wrote spokeswoman Wendy Gutshall. "We are currently in discussions with the property owner to remodel this facility."

Regarding a future store in Hercules, she replied, "Safeway is working with the city to locate a new 60,000 square foot lifestyle store with fuel center on the corner of San Pablo Avenue and Sycamore (Avenue)."

The fate of the Rodeo is undetermined, so far, she said.

"Safeway is considering closing the Rodeo store with the completion of the opening Hercules store, but a final decision has not been made at this point," Gutshall wrote.

She declined to answer our questions about any estimated dates for a Hercules site opening or a potential Rodeo store closure.