Another Solano Institution, Happy Produce, Soon to Close its Doors

Multiple residents have written and called Albany Patch over the past few days to report that, after 34 years on Solano Avenue, will soon close down.

Thursday, we heard from Amanda Gain Azevedo, via the Albany Patch Facebook page, that the family-owned grocery store was about to shut its doors for good. ("Like" the Facebook page for the latest updates on Albany happenings.)

Azevedo wrote: "I went in with my kids on Wednesday and the man said they would be closing 'very soon'. As in, days."

, who has run Happy Produce since his father's death in 2000, declined to comment on the matter Monday, but he did not deny the store would be closing in the near future. Chen has a long history in Albany, dating back to his years as a child attending , where his daughter is now a student.

It's the second Albany institution on Solano Avenue to close its doors this spring; .

"For Rent" signs are posted on the Happy Produce storefront, in the 1200 block of Solano, but it is unclear when the shop's last day will be.

According to customers, Chen said he has stopped ordering produce and is preparing to liquidate some items. The store specialized in produce and some canned goods.

For many local residents, Happy Produce's closing came as unwelcome news.

"I'm definitely sad," said , who has lived in Albany since 1986. "It's an institution. Obviously, I didn't go all the time or get all my produce there but, when I need things in a pinch, they're there, and the people are always nice."

Smolens still remembers shopping at Happy Produce when Chen's parents, the original owners, worked there. Over the years she said she has seen the family grow up, including Chen's daughter, who she said often helps around the store.

In  of Chen, he said that, with the influx of other markets in the area, business at Happy Produce had decreased from when it was first opened in 1978 by his father, Shee Hsiung Chen.

Share your memories about Happy Produce in the comments.

Click the "Keep me posted" button below the story for an email alert when we write about Solano Avenue. 

If there's something in this article you think , or if something else is amiss, call editor Emilie Raguso at 510-459-8325 or email at albany@patch.com.