PHOENIX - It all started in 1956 when the first freestanding Bashas' grocery store opened on 7th Avenue and Osborn Road.
"This is our longest-running Bashas' location," said Ashley Shick, director of communications for Bashas'.
The 60-year run for this iconic store location comes to a close Friday, April 28 at 6 p.m.
"It's a sad day for everyone,” Shick said. “It's tough on our members, the family, our customers. A lot of memories here.”
The store looks more like a ghost town. The shelves are near empty. The floor losing its shine. The carts getting one last push and the checkout counters, seeing their last day of action.
Dave Tonstad worked at this Bashas' location from 1956-1966.
"I wanted to say bye to it. I had so much fun working here,” Tonstad said. “People would come into the store and say, ‘Dave get over here and check me out -- you're the fastest cashier here.’”
Frank Gonzales is the produce manager and the last day is bittersweet.
"A lot of memories here,” Gonzales said. “A lot of people have been coming through, former employees, people taking pictures. The customers will miss us and we will miss them.”
It's not “goodbye,” though; it's “see you later,” at another Bashas' store.
"All of our members have been given opportunities at other locations, so nobody is losing their jobs," said Shick.
The reason for the store closing?
"We actually own the land here and we sold it to a future developer," said Shick.
Apartments and retail space could soon take up the spot where this iconic store is sitting.
Soon, the checkout counters will go silent and the smell of fresh-baked goods will dissolve, but this classic store will live on through the other 20 Bashas' locations here in the Valley.