UPDATE: Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, with new information from an interview with CEO Zach Wright.
Big news for Hillsdale shoppers: Market of Choice has officially signed a letter of intent to acquire the Basics Market in Hillsdale. This move will mark the Oregon-based grocer’s fifth location in the Portland metro area and its 13th statewide.
The last remaining Basics Market location, situated in downtown Hillsdale, will soon become a Market of Choice. The Eugene-based grocery chain announced its intent to purchase the store on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (Bryan M. Vance/Stumptown Savings)
While the acquisition secures the future of the popular neighborhood grocery spot, for Market of Choice President and CEO Zach Wright, the deal is personal.
According to Wright, , the move into a smaller footprint store was a vision he shared with his father and Market of Choice founder, Rick Wright, who passed away in June. The two had been scouting locations for a "smaller concept" store prior to Rick’s death, including looking at the former Food Front location in Northwest Portland.
"It was something he really wanted to try," Wright told Stumptown Savings by phone on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. "This was something I really wanted to try and was really on my radar."
When Basics Market founder Chuck Eggert approached Wright a few months ago looking to sell his last remaining store to a local operator with shared values, the timing finally aligned.
What This Means for Shoppers
While the ownership transition is complex, customers will see changes on the shelves almost immediately — long before the name on the front of the building changes.
The Timeline: The transition will happen in phases. Unlike a standard acquisition where a store closes and reopens, this will be a gradual handover.
Immediate Changes: Market of Choice will begin supplying products to the store within the next few weeks. Shoppers will see shelves filling up with Market of Choice distribution items before the sale is even final.
The Deal: Wright expects a signed purchase agreement within the next 90 days.
The Takeover: Official operational control is expected roughly 90 days after the agreement is signed.
The Branding: Once the takeover is complete, the store will be rebranded. Wright indicated they are toying with the name "Market of Choice Hillsdale" to emphasize the specific, neighborhood-market feel of the location, distinguishing it from their larger flagship stores.
A Second Chance at Small Format
Longtime Southwest Portland residents may remember Market of Choice’s previous attempt at a smaller store on Terwilliger Boulevard, which closed in 2019. Wright was candid about why that location didn't work and why Hillsdale is different.
"I think we tried to do too much in too little space," Wright admitted regarding the Terwilliger location, noting that they attempted to cram full-service departments into a small footprint. He also cited the notorious traffic patterns at that intersection as a barrier to success.
The Hillsdale location offers a "turnkey" solution with a layout that already works. "We’re confident," Wright said. "I’ve spent a lot of time at the Basics Market ... it’s going to be a good location for us."
Staff and Community
A major priority for both Eggert and Wright is the retention of the current staff. Wright praised the Hillsdale team, noting that many have worked with Market of Choice employees in the past.
"They have really, really great employees at that location," Wright said. "We’re excited and hopeful that they’ll want to stick around and be a part of Market of Choice."
Looking Ahead
If successful, the Hillsdale store could serve as a pilot program for future expansion. Wright noted that if this small-format model proves viable, it could open the door for Market of Choice to enter other Oregon neighborhoods that can't support a massive supermarket but need a community hub.
"It gives us a new model to try and expand," Wright said.
