Last updated on 20 May 2025.
Boise is the hometown of Albertsons, and Albertsons is now the undisputed market leader, but it has also hosted a number of regional competitors over the years, including Buttrey (whose Boise stores Albertsons acquired in 1987), Smith’s Food King (mid-1970s through 1989), and Safeway (from its pre-1928 time as Skaggs United to the early 1980s).
This is a list of all chain grocery locations my research has uncovered in Boise between 1925 and 2015, compiled from city directories, telephone books, and other sources. There may be some omissions due to incomplete or missing data, etc. and I welcome suggestions and corrections.
Please read about my methodology for more information about what I do and do not include.
Notes
- Fred Meyer store apparently began operating in the Boise area in the mid-1980s, but may of the early stores did not contain grocery departments and the chain is not listed among “grocers” in the city directories. I hope to add entries for the chain at a later date.
Location list
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- 211 N 8th St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Safeway
- 280 N 8th St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1941: Safeway
- 1945: Safeway
- 1950: Safeway
- 1955: Safeway
- 1960: Safeway
- Notes: Idaho Building. Office.
- 321 N 8th St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1925: Skaggs United
- 507 N 8th St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1941: Safeway
- 1945: Safeway
- 1950: Safeway
- 1955: Safeway
- 1960: Safeway
- 400 S 8th St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1936: Safeway
- Notes: Office only?
- 113 N 9th St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1925: Skaggs United
- 1930: Safeway
- 912 N 9th St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1965: M&W
- 1969-70: M&W
- 1975: M&W
- 1980: M&W
- 160 N 16th St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1969-70: Buttrey
- 1975: Buttrey
- 1980: Buttrey
- 1985: Buttrey
- Notes: 16th and Main (1969).
- 650 N Armstrong Pl, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 2000-01: Winco
- 2005: Winco
- 2010: Winco
- 2015: Winco
- 323 W Bannock St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Bungalow Stores
- 324 W Bannock St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1936: Bungalow Stores
- 1941: Bungalow Stores
- 2612 Bogus Basin Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1985: Smith’s Food King
- 680 E Boise Av, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1980: Albertsons
- 1985: Albertsons
- 1990: Albertsons
- 401 S Broadway Av, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 2015: Whole Foods
- 1219 S Broadway Av, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Okay Food Center
- 1965: Albertsons
- 1969-70: Albertsons
- 1975: Albertsons?
- 1980: Albertsons
- 1985: Albertsons
- 1990: Albertsons
- 1995: Albertsons
- 2000-01: Albertsons
- 2005: Albertsons
- 2010: Albertsons
- 2015: Albertsons
- Notes: Torn down and replaced with new store on adjacent site, ca. 2017.
- 1790 S Broadway Av, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1975: Smith’s Food King
- 1980: Smith’s Food King
- 1985: Smith’s Food King
- 300 S Capitol Blvd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 2015: Trader Joes
- 1520 N Cole Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1985: Albertsons
- 1990: Albertsons
- 1995: Albertsons
- 2000-01: Albertsons
- 2005: Albertsons
- 2010: Albertsons
- 2015: Albertsons
- 3155 N Cole Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1980: Smith’s Food King
- 1985: Smith’s Food King
- 1995: Ridley’s
- 2000-01: IGA (Ridley’s)
- 3233 N Cole Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 2015: Walmart Neighborhood Market
- 3255 N Cole Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1980: Safeway
- 1985: Waremart
- 1990: Waremart
- 2986 N Eagle Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 2015: Rosauer’s
- 4700 N Eagle Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 2000-01: Albertsons
- 2005: Albertsons
- 2010: Albertsons?
- 2015: Albertsons
- 4860 Emerald St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1965: M&W
- 1969-70: M&W
- 1975: M&W
- 5544 W Fairview Av, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 2005: Grocery Outlet
- 2010: Grocery Outlet
- 2015: Grocery Outlet
- 5804 W Fairview Av, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Safeway
- 1965: Safeway
- 1969-70: Safeway
- 7316 W Fairview Av, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1969-70: Buttrey
- 1975: Buttrey
- 1980: Buttrey
- 1985: Buttrey
- Notes: Fairview and Cole (1969).
- 7500 W Fairview Av, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Albertsons
- 1965: Albertsons
- 1969-70: Albertsons
- 1975: Albertsons
- 1980: Albertsons
- 8200 W Fairview Av, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1995: Waremart
- 2000-01: Waremart
- 2005: Winco
- 2010: Winco
- 2015: Winco
- 10475 W Fairview Av, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1980: Albertsons
- 1985: Albertsons
- Notes: 10393 (1985, same center).
- 6560 S Federal Wy, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 2000-01: Albertsons
- 2005: Albertsons
- 2010: Albertsons
- 2015: Albertsons
- 888 W Fort St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1985: M&W
- 1990: M&W
- 1995: M&W
- 5180 W Franklin Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Albertsons
- 1969-70: Albertsons
- 1975: Albertsons?
- 1980: Albertsons
- 1985: Albertsons
- 1990: IGA Super Center
- 1995: IGA Super Center
- Notes: Same center as 19 S. Orchard Av.
- 5825 W Franklin Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Okay Food Center
- 1969-70: Foodland (See’s)
- Notes: Crestline Plaza.
- 1750 W Front St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 2000-01: Albertsons
- 2005: Albertsons
- 3310 S Gekeler Ln, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1995: M&W
- 2000-01: M&W
- 2005: M&W
- 2010: M&W
- 2015: M&W
- 3601 S Gekeler Ln, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 2015: Winco
- Notes: Incorrect address?
- 4983 N Glenwood St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1990: Maxx Warehouse
- 1995: Maxx Warehouse
- 2000-01: Max Foods
- 2005: Max Foods
- 1674 W Hill Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1969-70: Foodland (Herb’s)
- 1975: Foodland (Highlands)
- 706 W Idaho St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1936: Safeway
- 1941: Safeway
- 1945: Safeway
- 813 W Idaho St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Piggly Wiggly
- 1936: Piggly Wiggly
- 921 W Idaho St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Pay’n Takit
- 1936: Safeway
- 10565 W Lake Hazel Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1980: Albertsons
- 1985: Albertsons
- 2005: Paul’s
- 2010: Paul’s
- 2015: Paul’s
- Notes: Paul’s seems to have opened ca. 2006 and closed in 2016. The location is now an Albertsons.
- 219 W Main St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1965: M&W
- 1969-70: M&W
- 1975: M&W
- 918 W Main St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1930: OP Skaggs System
- 1108 W Main St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1930: Safeway
- 1510 W Main St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1936: Safeway
- 1941: Safeway
- 1945: Safeway
- 1950: Safeway
- 110 E Myrtle St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 2000-01: Waremart
- 2005: Winco
- 2010: Winco
- 706 N Orchard Av, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Okay Food Center
- 19 S Orchard Av, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1950: Albertsons
- 1955: Albertsons
- 1960: Albertsons
- Notes: 5018 Franklin Rd (1950). Same center as 5180 Franklin Rd.
- 2625 W Overland Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Safeway
- 1969-70: Safeway
- 1975: Safeway
- 1980: Safeway
- 1985: Albertsons
- 1990: Albertsons
- 1995: Albertsons
- 2000-01: Albertsons
- Notes: Same site as 1623 S Vista Av.
- 4009 W Overland Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1965: M&W
- 4116 W Overland Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1969-70: Foodland (Ev’s)
- 4500 W Overland Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1969-70: Warehouse
- Notes: Same center as 4550.
- 4550 W Overland Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1975: Waremart
- 1980: Waremart
- 1985: Waremart
- 1990: Waremart
- Notes: Same center as 4500.
- 5100 W Overland Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Buttrey
- 1969-70: Buttrey
- 1975: Buttrey
- 1980: Buttrey
- 1985: Buttrey
- 1990: Albertsons
- 1995: Albertsons
- 2000-01: Albertsons
- 2005: Albertsons
- 2010: Albertsons
- Notes: Hillcrest Plaza.
- 6314 W Overland Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Foodland
- 1969-70: Thriftway Food-o-tama
- 1975: Thriftway Food-o-Rama
- 6945 W Overland Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1980: Smith’s Food King
- 1985: Smith’s Food King
- 10500 W Overland Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1980: Buttrey
- 1985: Buttrey
- 1990: Albertsons
- 1995: Albertsons
- 2000-01: Albertsons
- 2005: Albertsons?
- 2010: Albertsons
- 2015: Albertsons
- 10539 W Overland Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1980: Smith’s Food King
- 1985: Smith’s Food King
- 897 E Park Blvd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1975: M&W
- 1980: M&W
- 1985: M&W
- 909 E Parkcenter Blvd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1995: Albertsons
- 2000-01: Albertsons
- 2005: Albertsons?
- 2010: Albertsons
- 2015: Albertsons
- 1500 Shoreline Dr, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1969-70: Kmart Foods
- 1975: Smith’s Food King
- 1980: Smith’s Food King
- Notes: Was 720 S Americana Blvd.
- 1514 W State St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1955: Safeway
- 1960: Safeway
- 1515 W State St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Safeway
- 1969-70: Safeway
- 1975: Safeway
- 1602 W State St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1941: Albertsons
- 1945: Albertsons
- 1950: Albertsons
- 1955: Albertsons
- 1960: Albertsons
- 1965: Albertsons
- 1969-70: Albertsons
- 1975: Albertsons
- Notes: Albertsons #1. Replaced by 1650, same site.
- 1650 W State St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1980: Albertsons
- 1985: Albertsons
- 1990: Albertsons
- 1995: Albertsons
- 2000-01: Albertsons
- 2005: Albertsons
- 2010: Albertsons
- 2015: Albertsons
- Notes: Replaced 1602, same site.
- 2802 W State St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1965: M&W
- 1969-70: M&W
- 1975: M&W
- 1980: M&W
- 1985: M&W
- 3614 W State St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 2000-01: Albertsons
- 2005: Albertsons
- 2010: Albertsons
- 2015: Albertsons
- 3634 W State St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Okay Food Center
- 1965: Albertsons
- 1969-70: Albertsons
- 4609 W State St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1960: Okay Food Center
- 4724 W State St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1965: M&W
- 1969-70: M&W
- 1975: M&W
- 1980: M&W
- 1985: M&W
- 1990: M&W
- 1995: M&W?
- 2000-01: M&W
- 7001 W State St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1980: Albertsons
- 7100 W State St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1985: Albertsons
- 1990: Albertsons
- 1995: Albertsons
- 2000-01: Albertsons
- 2005: Albertsons
- 2010: Albertsons
- 2015: Albertsons
- 6423 W Ustick Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1965: M&W
- 1969-70: M&W
- 1975: M&W
- 1980: M&W
- 1985: M&W
- 10700 W Ustick Rd, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1985: Buttrey
- 1990: Albertsons
- 1995: Albertsons
- 2000-01: Albertsons
- 2005: Albertsons
- 2010: Albertsons
- 2015: Albertsons
- 625 S Vista Av, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1950: Safeway
- 1955: Safeway
- 1960: Safeway
- Notes: 609 (1950).
- 1100 S Vista Av, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1955: Albertsons
- 1960: Albertsons?
- 1965: Albertsons
- 1969-70: Albertsons
- 1975: Albertsons
- 1980: Albertsons
- 1653 S Vista Av, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 2010: Albertsons
- 2015: Albertsons
- Notes: Same site as 2625 W Overland Rd. New buildng ca. 2005-2006?
- 1835 E Warm Springs Av, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1975: Bi-Lo
- 1980: M&W
- 1985: M&W
- 1990: M&W
- 1995: M&W
- 2000-01: M&W?
- 2005: M&W?
- 2010: M&W?
- 2015: M&W
- 1605 W Washington St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1965: Albertsons
- 1969-70: Albertsons
- 1975: Albertsons
- 1980: Albertsons
- Notes: This is the same location as 1605 W State St. May refer to former office space.
- 1821 W Washington St, Boise | Google Maps Link
- 1925: Bungalow Stores
- 1930: Bungalow Stores