Basics Market’s owner, Chuck Eggerts, has transferred ownership of his market to Zach Wright, the owner of Market of Choice. New items will be added to the market, and prices will likely stay the same, which is high compared to other grocery stores like Fred Meyer and Safeway.
Many students from Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School are familiar with the Basics supermarket in the Hillsdale shopping center, as it is a go-to lunch spot for many students.
“I tried their coconut creampie. It was a bit pricy but worth the price,” said Mila Coltman, a senior at IBW. “The crust was flakey and delicious, and to be honest, I finished the whole thing. The filling was creamy, and it contrasted the crunchiness of the coconut.”
“The chicken salad is really good, I love getting the chicken salad at the Basic’s Deli,” said Sylvia Hidalgo, another senior at IBW. “The chicken is really moist and the mayo really comes through. I quite enjoy the addition of cranberries, also known better as ‘craisins.”
Basics is a Portland-based market that’s known for supporting local farmers, with its collaboration with Wild Rose Foods, a collection of farms including Willamette Valley, Lulubelle’s Creamery, and Silver Sage Farms.
Wild Rose Foods products are also distributed through Market of Choice, which is one of the reasons why Basics was sold. Market of Choice has similar values to Basics, Eggerts said, “I approached Market of Choice because I wanted to find an organization that shares our values around caring for employees, investing in the community and supporting local producers and bakers.”
Market of Choice is an Oregon-founded supermarket chain that prides itself on its organic, locally sourced food items. Zach Wright’s father, Rich Wright, said he wanted to try running a smaller store. They both were searching for a possible store, but unfortunately, Rich Wright passed before Eggerts approached them.
Eggert’s ownership transfer of Basics isn’t expected to be a big change. Instead, it will be gradual, as Market of Choice will begin supplying Basics with new items before the transfer is final. Furthermore, Basics won’t close for renovations at all. Though, a new name for the supermarket is being considered, with “Market of Choice Hillsdale” being a contender.
Within an expected 90 days of the ownership transfer contract being approved, Basic’s transition to becoming another Market of Choice should be complete. This will be Market of Choices’ fifth location in Portland, and 13th in Oregon. Zach Wright notes how this is an opportunity to branch out and expand throughout Portland even more, specifically in places that don’t have room for big supermarkets but still need a market. If this smaller location thrives, and doesn’t close down like their last small location in 2019, “It gives us a new model to try and expand,” Zach Wright says, showing hope of building on the pre-existing building, but he doesn’t go into detail with his plans.
In short, Basics is changing ownership but will still be the close and convenient supermarket IBW students know and love. So, look out for small changes to the look and products of Basics.
