Grocery Outlet is now open in the former location of the Crown Hill Value Village at 8700 15th Ave. N.W.. The store, which offers savings of up to 50 percent on brand name foods and merchandise, will have its grand opening celebration May 8.

Owner of the Crown Hill Grocery Outlet, Edmonds resident Steve Campbell has been in the retail grocery business for the past 25 years. He started as a grocery bagger in northern California out of high school and worked his way up through the retail chain, eventually serving in management for Food-4-Less, Cala Foods and Whole Foods Market.

“Having worked in the grocery industry for many years, I’m excited to be able to offer Crown Hill and surrounding area Seattle residents the opportunity to save a significant amount of money through Grocery Outlet,” Campbell said in a press release. “Our customers will notice that discount shoppers don’t have to shop in a discount atmosphere, nor sacrifice on name brands or quality. “

For the Crown Hill store, Campbell and his wife and co-owner Blanca have hired 30 local residents, most of whom live within a five-mile radius of the store, according to the press release.

In the press release, the Campbells said they are thrilled to work with surrounding area nonprofit organizations, such as the Ballard Food Bank, the Seattle Milk Fund and hopefully soon, Ballard High School.

The Crown Hill store is one of three new Grocery Outlets in the area. The other two are in SODO and Kenmore.

The grand opening of the Crown Hill Grocery Outlet on May 8 will feature free food sampling, free eco-friendly Grocery Outlet bags for the first 700 customers, face painting, games, giveaways, balloons, a fundraiser for the Ballard Food Bank and the chance to win more than $3,300 in prizes.

The Crown Hill Value Village, former occupant of the Grocery Outlet location, moved a few blocks south to the former Crown Hill QFC location earlier this year.