A Fresh & Easy Grand Opening

The old Mervyn’s department store jingle of “Open, open, open, open …” came to mind on Wednesday morning about 200 shoppers patiently awaited just outside the locked doors of the new Fresh & Easy market on the corner of Lake Ave. and California Blvd.

Local residents were still waiting for the doors to officially open fifteen minutes past the expected open time of 9:30 a.m.

Finally, after a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony with some of the store’s employees, Pasadena’s latest grocery market was open to the public.

Replacing Wild Oats, the previous tenant at the corner location, Fresh & Easy is store number 121 to open within the chain, and the 65th in Southern California.

“We are excited to continue opening and hiring for positions in new neighborhoods throughout Southern California, particularly in these tough economic times,” Fresh & Easy Vice President and General Counsel Mary Kasper said about the opening. “We look forward to bringing fresh, wholesome food to our new neighbors here in Pasadena and we’re excited to be part of the community.”

It did not take long for the first customer to purchase his groceries, as Pasadena resident Bill Kay, who fittingly had a British accent, was already checking out within five minutes of the store’s opening.

“I’m just here buying groceries like I normally would,” he said after completing his transaction for about $30.

However, Kay was not the first person to exchange money at the new market. Just prior to the ribbon cutting, as the throngs of shoppers anxiously awaited to christen the store, Pasadena mayor Bill Bogaard presented a check for $1,000 to the Pasadena Humane Society.

Wednesday’s opening in Pasadena was one of four planned new stores in the Central and Southern California area, including locations in Oxnard, Lompoc and Orcutt. Each of those stores are expected to open on July 29, according to a Fresh & Easy spokesman.

The current location of Fresh & Easy has a long history of providing grocery services to Pasadena residents; in 1935, the location was home to a Jergensen’s market.

Based in El Segundo and a subsidiary of British retailer Tesco, Fresh & Easy hired 8- new employees to assist with the grand openings.