Haggen closing three grocery stores in Washington

BELLINGHAM — The Haggen grocery chain is closing three more stores in Washington.

The Bellingham company announced Wednesday it’s closing its TOP Food &Drug stores in Kent, Auburn and Yakima.

KOMO reports nearly 150 employees will be affected as the stores close within three months. Haggen said it’s working with unions to try to place the workers at other stores.

Earlier this year Haggen announced plans to close TOP stores in Tacoma, Lacey, Federal Way, Bellevue and Shoreline. The company said the closures are part of a long-term plan to improve competitiveness.

Haggen currently operates more than 20 stores in Washington and Oregon under the Haggen Northwest Fresh and TOP Food &Drug names.