A long-vacant former Sam’s Club in North Seattle, empty for nearly a decade, was supposed to become a low-cost WinCo Foods. Instead, the project is now stalled after an environmental appeal, raising renewed questions about whether organized labor is using regulatory tactics to block a non-union competitor.
The site at 13550 Aurora Ave N has been unused since 2018, when Sam’s Club closed. WinCo, a discount grocery chain known for low prices and 24-hour service, filed plans to redevelop the 145,000-square-foot building. The proposal initially cleared environmental review.
But that approval was overturned after a challenge from a group calling itself “Lake Washington Working Families,” forcing additional review and putting the project’s future in doubt.
At first glance, the appeal appears routine. But critics say it follows a well-established pattern.
“This isn’t a new use,” KVI radio host Ari Hoffman said. “It was already a big-box grocery-style store. Why would an environmental complaint stop this? It doesn’t make sense.”
A familiar playbook
WinCo is the second-largest employee-owned company in the US, with more than 140 stores and over 20,000 employee-owners. Its model—low prices, minimal overhead, and an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)—has made it both popular with customers and resistant to unionization.
For decades, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union has attempted to organize WinCo workers without success. Employees have repeatedly declined, often citing concerns about losing their ownership stakes.
Seattle's Hearing Examiner just blocked WinCo Foods from opening in the old Sam's Club at 13550 Aurora Ave N, a building that's been vacant since 2018. The SEPA appeal was filed by a group called "Lake Washington Working Families."
Sounds like concerned neighbors, right? Let's… https://t.co/ylna7OYzkO
— MintyHawk (@minty_hawk) April 15, 2026
In response, critics argue, a different strategy emerged.
Across multiple cities—including Federal Way (2001), Brentwood, CA (2002), Tracy, CA (2007), Mount Vernon (2009), Tacoma (2011), Bellingham (2012–2013), and Moses Lake (2015–2016)—WinCo projects have faced last-minute opposition from newly formed “community groups” filing environmental or land-use appeals.
The pattern is consistent: groups appear shortly before filing deadlines, raise traffic or environmental concerns, deny union ties, and then dissolve after the fight. In several cases, participants were later linked to UFCW-affiliated workers or interests.
Grocery access vs. union interests
The Seattle case comes as North Seattle faces increasing concerns over grocery access. The closure of the Lake City Fred Meyer left a gap in affordable food options, with local officials and advocacy groups warning of growing “food desert” conditions.
UFCW Local 3000, which represents workers at Fred Meyer and other union grocery chains, strongly criticized those closures, warning of harm to working-class communities.
At the same time, WinCo, one of the few grocers willing to expand into Seattle, now faces delays that could halt its entry entirely.
Political connections
The situation is further complicated by overlapping political relationships.
Joe Mizrahi, Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 3000 and one of the most powerful labor leaders in Washington state, also serves on the Seattle School Board. His union represents more than 50,000 workers and has a direct financial interest in limiting non-union competition.
Yesterday I asked UFCW 3000 Secretary-Treasurer @joe_miz three direct questions about his union's connection to the group that derailed WinCo's first Seattle store. He hasn't answered.
While we wait, let's talk about the mayor his union put in office. /1 pic.twitter.com/R24QLhAm9M
— MintyHawk (@minty_hawk) April 17, 2026
UFCW 3000 endorsed Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, who has publicly emphasized the need to address food deserts and criticized grocery store closures. Her administration now oversees the next phase of environmental review for the WinCo project.
In August 2025, @MayorofSeattle accepted the UFCW 3000 endorsement outside the closing Lake City Fred Meyer. She pledged to fight food deserts and explore a "public option" grocery store. UFCW 3000 launched their "Fresh Food for All" campaign at the same event.
(Source: The…
— MintyHawk (@minty_hawk) April 17, 2026
Despite the union’s past opposition to WinCo expansion elsewhere, UFCW 3000 has not publicly commented on the North Seattle appeal.
What’s at stake
For residents, the outcome is straightforward: a nearly decade-old empty building remains unused, and a potential source of affordable groceries hangs in limbo.