Seattle-based grocery cooperative PCC Community Markets is preparing to expand its regional presence with the upcoming launch of a new supermarket in Seattle’s Madison Valley neighborhood. The opening, scheduled for later this fall, marks the culmination of an extensive planning and development process that has spanned an entire decade.
The forthcoming retail location is situated at 2925 E. Madison Street, positioning the grocery store directly south of the Washington Park Arboretum. Once operational, the store will provide a convenient shopping destination for surrounding residential pockets and commuters traveling along the busy East Madison corridor.
Geographically, the new site sits approximately one mile north of another PCC property, the Central District store located at 2230 E. Union Street. Despite the relative proximity of the two locations, the cooperative intends for the Madison Valley branch to serve as an accessible, distinct neighborhood hub catering specifically to the immediate local community.
The launch of the Madison Valley store will also bring a notable boost to local employment. According to information released by the organization, the new grocery outpost is projected to employ approximately 75 team members across its various operational and specialized retail departments.
The journey toward opening the Madison Valley storefront has been an exceptionally lengthy undertaking. Cooperative leaders first signed the property lease ten years ago, navigating a protracted timeline of municipal reviews, site planning, and continuous engagement with area residents to bring the project to fruition.
Amy Chow, the acting chief executive officer of PCC Community Markets, emphasized the importance of this persistent community involvement. In an announcement regarding the store, Chow noted that progressing through the local review pipeline with neighborhood feedback made the milestone especially meaningful as the co-op finally prepares to welcome shoppers and establish lasting roots in Madison Valley.
Shoppers visiting the new Madison Valley store can expect the full range of product categories typical of the regional chain. The inventory will encompass conventional and specialized groceries, organic produce, fresh meat, and responsibly sourced seafood, alongside an assortment of PCC-branded private label goods.
In addition to standard pantry and kitchen staples, the store will feature a dedicated prepared foods section. This department will offer ready-to-eat meals designed for convenience, including freshly made sandwiches, mixed salads, and hot soups for local residents and nearby workers.
Civic leaders have voiced strong support for the cooperative's continued investment within the city limits. Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth highlighted the positive impact of local enterprise, pointing out that homegrown businesses serve as essential community cornerstones while mirroring regional priorities and values.
Hollingsworth, who operates a family-owned farm, emphasized the co-op’s ongoing dedication to regional food systems and sustainable agriculture. She also underscored the organization's broader role as a major employer and economic contributor, commending its sustained initiatives in environmental sustainability and community hunger relief.
The project was publicly scheduled for a mid-fall debut during an initial announcement in April, and cooperative representatives confirmed in September that construction and preparations remain on track for that seasonal window. Specific grand opening festivities and formal launch dates are expected to be shared in the coming weeks.
Susan Livingston, the vice president of marketing and purpose for PCC Community Markets, confirmed via email correspondence that additional details regarding the exact opening schedule will be finalized and distributed to the public shortly.
The Madison Valley opening adds another chapter to the cooperative’s long history in the Pacific Northwest. PCC traces its beginnings back to 1953, when founder John Affolter established a 15-family food-buying club in Seattle, initially known as the May Valley Food Club, to source quality goods collectively.
By 1961, the buying club had transitioned into a formalized consumer cooperative, adopting the name Puget Consumers Co-op. The organization subsequently opened its very first permanent brick-and-mortar storefront in Seattle’s Madrona neighborhood in 1967, laying the groundwork for its modern retail footprint.
Today, PCC Community Markets operates 16 retail locations across the greater Puget Sound region. Its current network spans multiple Seattle neighborhoods—including Ballard, Fremont, Columbia City, View Ridge, West Seattle, Downtown Seattle, and two sites in Green Lake—alongside Eastside and suburban stores in Bellevue, Bothell, Burien, Edmonds, Issaquah, Kirkland, and Redmond. The Madison Valley addition will become the 17th store in the co-op's expanding portfolio.
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