Passersby moving along Grand Avenue may have noticed a major change in the past couple weeks: what was once Laramie’s sole Albertsons is now a Ridley’s Family Market.
Mark Ridley, director of operations at Ridley’s Family Markets said the company’s decision to move into the location formerly occupied by Albertsons was the product of years of planned expansion.
“We have done business in Wyoming since 2008 and have been looking for opportunities to expand in that area ever since,” Ridley said. “The Laramie store became available as part of the Safeway/Albertsons merger and we were familiar with the area just from being in town for UW football games before so we jumped at the opportunity.”
Alexa Temte, a UW junior and regular shopper at the store, said the location is largely similar to the Albertsons before it.
“It’s like Albertson’s with a different sign. Even the bread packaging has the Albertson’s logo still,” Temte said. “It’s a nice place if you liked Albertson’s.”
Ridley said he believes a Ridley’s Family Market will provide better and unique services and products to students and Laramie residents.
“We leave a lot of control of our stores, product variety, services, etc. in the hands of our managers and team locally,” Ridley said. “The needs for a store in a college town like Laramie can be very different than other communities.”
Having a Ridley’s in Laramie has benefits outside the store and in the community, Ridley said.
“We feel there are benefits to being a smaller family owned company for our customers…you will find us much more involved in the community in all ways. One small example is the partnership we formed with the University of Wyoming recently,” Ridley said. “We have a sponsorship with UW athletics and are proud to be the official grocery store of the University of Wyoming now.
