Based on the crowd, it looks like the Grand Opening of the new Grand Central Fred Meyer was a wild success!  Despite some crowded aisles and long check-out lines, people were friendly and seemed excited about the new mega-store. 

The new Fred Meyer store boasts a design and unique food offerings like no other location in the chain.  The location offers an expanded selection of natural and organic products.  Some of the notable differences to the untrained eye were an expanded footprint (135,000 square feet!), a large selection of gourmet prepared foods and desserts, and a drive-up pharmacy, all in an upscale environment.

People who braved the weather and the crowds were able to take advantage of crazy coupon deals included 2 pound blocks of Tillamook Cheese for $2.99, Nabisco Oreos for $0.99 each, and 24-Pack Coke products for $3.99.  They were also offered free pizza & soda at the store's West entranc, $1 hot dog & soda at the Boar's Head cart, and a free latte (with coupon) at the Peet's Coffee stand.

Grand Opening events include:

• Appearances by Fred Bear (we prefer 'Freddy Bear'!), every weekend from April 19 to May 11, 11a-4p
• Gadget the Clown, Cha Cha the Clown and Rudy, every weekend from April 19 to May 11, 11a-5p
• Combo Deluxe (a local Jazz Band), every weekend from April 26 to May 11, Noon-3p
• Special Appearances by Our Lady of Lourdes School Band on Sunday, May 11, 4p

We encourage you to check it out!

Grand Central is the new $40 million / 196,000 square foot retail development just North of Highway 14 and West of Grand Blvd in Vancouver.  Fred Meyer is the first tenant to open their doors at the new Grand Central shopping center and will maintain daily business hours of 7a - 11p.

Some of the other reported tenants will include Rock Wood Fired Pizza, Columbia Credit Union, Panda Express, Martel's Wines, The Barbers, T-Mobile, FedEx Kinko's, Subway, and a new restaurant by the owner of Roots Restaurant in Camas.

Patty & Scott Carroll - RE/MAX Equity Group, Vancouver WA