Plant Warehouse Finds New Seasonal Home in Former Safeway Lot

The garden center will operate in the Pacific Boulevard location until July.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:24am

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A minimalist studio photograph featuring an elegant arrangement of gardening tools, potted plants, and other seasonal items on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the essence of a springtime garden center.A carefully curated display of seasonal gardening essentials evokes the vibrant energy of Plant Warehouse's new springtime home.Albany Today

After being thwarted from opening last week in the parking lot of Heritage Plaza, Plant Warehouse Albany has found a new venue for its seasonal operation. The springtime garden center plans to open on Saturday in the parking lot of the former west Albany Safeway, by the side of the Santiam Canal at the corner of Pacific Boulevard and Calapooia Street.

Why it matters

This move highlights the challenges small businesses can face in securing reliable seasonal locations, as well as the evolving nature of commercial real estate in Albany as old retail spaces are repurposed.

The details

Plant Warehouse Albany had planned to open last week in the parking lot of Heritage Plaza, off 14th Avenue, but was thwarted after someone challenged Grocery Outlet's right to sublease the space. The company has now secured a permit to operate in the former Safeway lot, which is owned by the Kampfer family of Harrisburg. The building was constructed in 1966 for Safeway and used until 1999, and is now leased by Teen Challenge, which will move its Albany thrift store there from Second Avenue.

  • Plant Warehouse Albany applied for a city land use permit on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
  • Plant Warehouse Albany plans to open in the new location on Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • Plant Warehouse Albany will operate in the Pacific Boulevard location until July 2026.

The players

Plant Warehouse Albany

A seasonal garden center operation of the Tangent branch of Plant Warehouse, which is based in Roseburg.

Grocery Outlet

A business located in the Heritage Plaza shopping center, where Plant Warehouse Albany had originally planned to operate.

Kampfer family

The owners of the property where the former west Albany Safeway was located, which is now being leased to Plant Warehouse Albany for its seasonal operation.

Teen Challenge

An organization that will be moving its Albany thrift store to the former Safeway building.

Jacob Jones

A seasonal employee of Plant Warehouse Albany who was setting up the company's big tent on Wednesday afternoon.

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What they’re saying

“The setup is the work of the Tangent branch of Plant Warehouse, which is based in Roseburg.”

— Hasso Hering, Author

What’s next

Plant Warehouse Albany plans to open in the new Pacific Boulevard location this Saturday, April 12, 2026, and operate there until July 2026.

The takeaway

This story highlights the challenges small businesses can face in securing reliable seasonal locations, as well as the evolving nature of commercial real estate in Albany as old retail spaces are repurposed for new uses. Despite the initial setback, Plant Warehouse Albany was able to find a new home for its springtime garden center operation.