We know change is the only real constant in our neighborhood life, but it seems we’ve been saying goodbye to businesses and buildings more frequently than usual these days.
Today is the last day of business for Food King Market, located at 2909 NE Prescott. The building has recently sold and the family that has met the neighborhood’s convenience store needs for the last 20-plus years is closing up shop. There most certainly is a story here about owners David and Kaybee and their own history in the place and where their path leads from here. The neighborhood will miss them and the convenience of having a small market nearby for last-minute needs.
For the building, it’s unclear where the path will lead. The new owner is in conversation with the city regarding permitting and here’s what the official status of remodeling plans says:
“Remodel and change the use of the existing structure (which is now consisting of three units: a grocery store, a residence, and a current vacant unit), to either 100% office or a combination of office and retail sales and service. Also proposed is to convert approximately 500-800 sq ft of existing footprint into covered or partially-covered outdoor areas.”
The silver lining at this point for the neighborhood appears that this is not a multi-story Airbnb hotel or condominium. It seems the new owners are considering repurposing aspects of the original building.
Which leads us to this photo, which accompanied this post we wrote 11 years ago describing the history of the stores that have operated on the site, and shared memories of some of the “kids” who dropped by for iced cokes on credit.
1955, looking northeast from the corner of NE 29th and Prescott. Photo courtesy of Tom Robinson.
Thanks David and Kaybee. We’ll miss being able to zip over for the missing ingredient at the last moment, and we wish you well. And we’ll continue to follow remodel plans for this building which has been a neighborhood institution of sorts for almost 100 years.
Alameda Old House History 
When I was a young girl in the mid-70s, my mom would occasionally send me to this store with a coupon to buy an item. I lived at 18 and Failing, so this was quite a trek for me.
Sad to see the market go. But there are most certainly reasons for why Dave is giving up his business. There are many new people in the neighborhood that might not have adopted King Market like some of the people that have ben here for 15+ years. It’s tough to run a business, and there’s a time to make decisions that can lead to closing down. Let’s hope the new business/owner will bring something new or interesting to the neighborhood.
My friends and I were the kids there on credit. Great people, plenty of memories. Hope the best for them and the building.