Sen. Steve Conway released the statement below regarding the closure of a Fred Meyer store in the south end of Tacoma:

“I join in the concern so many of our neighbors have expressed to me regarding the upcoming closure of the Fred Meyer located at South 72^nd and Pacific.

“Access to food, medicine and other daily essentials is a basic human right. This area of our community has already been designated as a food desert, and I am very concerned the location’s closure will make an already difficult situation much worse.

“I am in contact and working with local leaders and other stakeholders to explore all options. I was proud to sponsor and pass a bill in the Legislature in 2024 to ensure workers receive adequate protection and notice in instances of a store closure.

“It is being reported staff are being offered positions at other stores. This is good news, but I have concerns about their ability to commute and whether jobs are available at different locations for people in leadership or more specialized positions.

“There is a large community of people — my family included — who count on this location for so many of our daily needs.

“It is crucial this location does not stay vacant for long. As one constituent wrote to me, ‘Grocery access is not a convenience — it is a necessity.’ It is incumbent on us all to work together to quickly bring another grocery store to this area.”