Photos: Haggen grocery chain begins rollout of new markets in Southland

Connie Jodice cleans a section where pre-made foods will go at a new Haggen grocery store in Palmdale. The tiny Pacific Northwest chain is taking over 146 Vons, Pavilions, Albertsons and Safeway stores on the West Coast, including 83 in California.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Todd Ingham, left, and Liz Sanchez put fresh flowers on display inside the floral section of a Haggen grocery store, formerly an Albertsons, in Palmdale. This is the first Haggen grocery store in Los Angeles County.   (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Left to right: Michael Ruedas, Louie Jimenez and Leonardo Covarrubias put hothouse tomatoes on display inside the produce department of a Haggen grocery store, formerly an Albertsons, in Palmdale. This is the first Haggen grocery store in Los Angeles County.   (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

At Haggen’s new Palmdale store, old displays have been switched for stacks of wooden pallets with produce stacked neatly on top. The tiny Pacific Northwest chain is taking over 146 Vons, Pavilions, Albertsons and Safeway stores on the West Coast, including 83 in California.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Allyson Joy places a sign next to the meat counter inside a Haggen grocery store, formerly an Albertsons, in Palmdale. Haggen is taking over 146 Vons, Pavilions, Albertsons and Safeway stores on the West Coast, including 83 in California.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

A variety of organic apples are on display inside a Haggen grocery store.   (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Matt Bruce uses a drill to remove hangers on shelves of wine inside a Haggen grocery store, formerly an Albertsons, in Palmdale. Haggen is taking over 146 Vons, Pavilions, Albertsons and Safeway stores on the West Coast, including 83 in California.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Workers remove Albertsons price tags and replace them with Haggen price tags inside a new Haggen grocery store in Palmdale. Haggen is taking over 146 Vons, Pavilions, Albertsons and Safeway stores on the West Coast, including 83 in California.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Erick Carlson, a liquor supervisor, gets some help placing patio furniture above the freezer section inside a Haggen grocery store, formerly an Albertsons, in Palmdale. This is the first Haggen grocery store in Los Angeles County.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Jacque Morris, left, area vice president of operations for Haggen grocery stores, addresses employees during an orientation the day before the grand opening of a Haggen grocery store in Palmdale.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Fred Dominguez wipes away dust after installing a sign on a new Haggen grocery store, formerly an Albertsons, in Palmdale. The tiny Pacific Northwest chain is taking over 146 Vons, Pavilions, Albertsons and Safeway stores on the West Coast, including 83 in California.   (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)