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Safeway to Close Lamar Store After 50+ Years of Service — Closure Set for November 7, 2025
Description: After serving Lamar for more than half a century, the Safeway at 906 E. Olive Street will close its doors on November 7, 2025. This difficult decision impacts 53 employees and marks the end of an era for our community. While Safeway has been a cornerstone in Lamar’s daily life, we are committed to working with economic development partners to bring new opportunities and businesses to town. Full list of confirmed Safeway closures across Colorado, Nebraska, and New Mexico is included in the release.
Safeway to Close Lamar Store After 50+ Years of Service — Closure Set for November 7, 2025
UPDATED - 1:34pm - After more than a half-century of service, the Lamar Safeway Store No. 1721, located at 906 E. Olive Street, will be closing its doors to the public on November 7, 2025. I received official notice from the Director of Communications with Safeway’s Mountain West Division, confirming this difficult decision.
This closure affects 53 dedicated associates in Lamar, and while Safeway has plans to place some into positions at other locations, we recognize the deep impact this will have on these employees, their families, and our community as a whole.
Safeway has been more than just a grocery store—it’s been a part of Lamar’s daily life, a place of connection, and a symbol of stability for generations. Its absence will be felt deeply.
While this is a significant loss, Lamar is a resilient and strong community. We will continue working closely with our economic development partners to recruit new businesses—especially one that can provide similar goods and services to meet the needs of our residents.
Our thoughts are with the employees during this time of transition. We understand the uncertainty this brings and remain committed to supporting them however we can.
As with every challenge we’ve faced, we will move forward together. Let’s continue to look for opportunities to strengthen Lamar’s future and support one another through this change.
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UPDATE - We have been notified that Walsenburg and Burlington will not be affected. The full list of stores closing can be found below:
- 201 E Jefferson, Englewood, Colorado 80113
- 500 E. 120th Ave, Northglenn, Colorado 80233
- 1653 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver, Colorado 80222
- 12200 E. Mississippi, Aurora, Colorado 80012
- 3657 S. College Ave, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
- 860 Cleveland Ave., Loveland, Colorado 80537
- 5060 North Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918
- 1425 S Murray Blvd., Colorado Springs, Colorado 80916
- 315 West 2nd St., La Junta, Colorado 81050
- 906 E. Olive St., Lamar, Colorado 81052
- 230 Morehead Street, Chadron, Nebraska 69337
- 730 W. Main St., Farmington, New Mexico 87401
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UPDATE - We were advised by staff members that it MAY affect Walsenburg and Burlington, but we have not received any corporate verification of that. We have only received verification of the Lamar and La Junta closures. We will provide updates as they are received.
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ORIGINAL - For over a half-century, the Lamar Safeway has served our community. I was shocked and devastated to hear the news that our Lamar Safeway may be permanently closing after all these years. It is my understanding that this decision not only will affect our Lamar Safeway but it may also affect the La Junta, Walsenburg and Burlington Safeway Stores as well.
Please know that the City of Lamar is aware of this news and we are attempting to verify the information as soon as possible. I have reached out to our local store Manager in an attempt to verify this information and to get an official closing date. I have also reached out to the Safeway Denver Division Offices to obtain more information; however, they could not confirm the closure at this time.
I have been told that the decision was made due to lower sales, the increase of expenses from the labor strike that happened earlier this year, and the failure of the sale to Kroger's. My hope is there is a plan in place for this building, whether it is a Kroger's or some other food store for our community. I will continue to investigate it and will share our communities disappointment in this corporate decision once it is verified.
