I have to say I’m so disappointed and frustrated with my local Juanita Safeway and their bathroom upkeep. It seems the bathrooms are constantly either filthy or out of service. I moved to Kirkland a little over a year ago from Ballard and Safeway there seemed challenged by bathroom maintenance as well.

I understand high volume low margin sales, that the effect the homeless population puts on public restrooms can be great but Safeway is a multi-billion dollar company and why they can’t put a courtesy clerk in charge of hourly bathroom checks is beyond me.

I’ve walked out of the one working restroom before and seen a woman waiting to come in and have been truly embarrassed and thought to myself if that were my mother/wife/daughter I would prefer her to use a public rest area or gas station restroom.

I have written their corporate office before but with no response, just that my message was being sent to the store manager. I spoke to an employee who said that the syringe/hazardous material disposal units were being filled by people and the management decided to close the restrooms.

This just seems ridiculous to me. Fred Meyer doesn’t have a problem with bathroom upkeep, possibly it’s because they have larger restrooms that I believe their employees use as well and have regular checks. Safeway spends a ton of money on surveillance cameras I think they should move the syringe disposal unit outside the restrooms and put a camera on it if it’s such an issue.

I just know that I’ve been a Safeway customer for more than 25 years and between groceries, gas and prescriptions we probably spend close to $2,000 a month at that store and because of my principals I’m going to be forced to no longer shop there and that upsets me.

I don’t enjoy shopping at QFC, Albertson’s or Fred Meyer – I think I’m going to start though, if they get their liquor permit. Albertson’s does have great spirits bottled under their name and they also carry Lesueur english peas. So long Safeway, I’ve enjoyed our time together but all good things must end.

Chris McDaniel, Kirkland