On Friday, June 4, I was called, along with other Broadway Market Fred Meyer employees, to an early-morning meeting regarding the rumors that the store was slated to close. In a vacant shop next door to Fred Meyera regional manager told us not to worry: It turns out that Fred Meyer's corporate parent, the Kroger Company, has plans to nearly take over Broadway Market with a big new store. The Market--which currently has shops like an espresso stand, a sunglasses kiosk, and a New Age clothing retailer--will be revamped to host a full-service QFC (also owned by Kroger). Kroger's proposed floor plans, on file with the city's Department of Planning and Development ["Business Moves," Amy Jenniges, May 27], leaves room for six retail spaces on the first floor, which could be occupied by current Market tenants like Bulldog News and Broadway Video. Anchors Urban Outfitters and Gold's Gym will also keep their current spaces.

That means other Market businesses will either move to the third-floor retail space or be pushed out of the Broadway Market altogether. A manager of a month-to-month leased kiosk, sees his future in the Market as shaky at best, and the silence of building management doesn't help. "I don't know what's going on," he said, sitting on a stool near his kiosk. "I may move upstairs or I may not." Madison Marquette could not be reached for comment.

Surprisingly, people seem to support Kroger's corporate plans--despite the fact that they may displace a handful of small businesses. QFC could stabilize the Market, Broadway's central shopping venue. In the past two years, the Market has been hurting, losing big stores like Gap, and smaller retailers. "Moving QFC into the Market means that we don't lose a major grocery store. It's probably a good thing," said Charlie Hamilton, president of the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce. And, a new QFC could be the first move in a Broadway development chess game; the existing QFC space across the street will now be redevelopable.

mahrya@thestranger.com