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Don Haggen, who led the growth of a family grocery store business from one to as many as 34 locations, died Aug. 25, in Bellingham, Wash., after a brief illness. He was 80.

His parents, Ben and Dorothy Haggen, operated a single grocery store in Bellingham when he joined the business in 1957. Haggen, along with his brother Rick, expanded their parents’ business, Haggen Inc., to be the largest independent grocer in the Pacific Northwest.

In 1973, Don and Rick Haggen became the primary stockholders of Haggen Inc. Don Haggen became president in 1973 and in 1989 was promoted to chairman/CEO. The Haggen brothers also served as co-chairmen of Haggen Inc. until earlier this year. The company now operates 13 Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores and 16 TOP Food & Drug stores in Washington and Oregon.

Haggen served in leadership positions in numerous organizations, including the Coca Cola Chairman’s Council and the Western Association of Food Chains.

A memorial service is scheduled for Sept. 1 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bellingham.

Source: Haggen Inc.