Those longing for the return of the Safeway banner in Oak Harbor don’t have to wait much longer.

The Albertsons store on Southwest Erie Street will shut down for remodeling for four days, starting at 8 p.m. this Sunday, then will re-open as Safeway at 8 a.m. Friday, April 3.

It’s all part of an extensive remodel and re-merchandising that started early this month and won’t be finished until May 22 when Safeway will host a grand re-opening in Oak Harbor.

“By May 22, the store will look and feel like a Safeway,” Safeway spokesperson Sara Osborne said.

The former Safeway store on State Highway 20 closed March 3 for conversion to a Haggen, which acquired 146 grocery stores in five states as part of a divestment process required by the Federal Trade Commission after Safeway and Albertsons merged.

The odd brand out in Oak Harbor wound up being Albertsons, mostly because Safeway has been a fixture in the Oak Harbor community since 1967, Osborne said.

Safeway will retain the Albertsons employees.

During next week’s closure, store shelves will be restocked with Safeway brands and a new IT network will be installed, allowing the store to accept and honor deals based on the Safeway club card, Osborne said.

Over the next two months, work will continue as Safeway will expand its floral section and relocate the pharmacy within the store, among other projects.

“We are keeping the pharmacy open and an access path will be made so customers can still get their prescriptions during this time,” Osborne said.

Safeway also will maintain two popular items from Albertsons  — fried chicken and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, Osborne said.

There are no current plans in the immediate future to construct a new Safeway fuel station, she said.

Haggen is in its third week in Oak Harbor since opening March 6.

The company hosted a community meeting last Thursday night with nearly 200 people filling the Oak Harbor Yacht Club to learn about the brand and ask questions. Several members from small businesses and community organizations attended to gain information on establishing partnerships with Haggen.

“This is amazing,” said Clement Stevens, senior vice president of merchandising with Haggen, referring to the size of the crowd. “You must have a tight-knit community.”