Swanson’s Foods, a family business that goes back more than 100 years in Grays Harbor, is under new ownership, according to Mark Swanson, who relinquished leadership on Friday.

“It was with great care and consideration that I have made the difficult decision to retire at this time,” Swanson wrote in a letter to his employees dated Sept. 30. “This was not an easy decision for me as Swanson’s has been my life and my family history.”

He also assured workers of the two grocery stores their employee status would remain the same and they’d remain members of the local unions.

“I know this will be a big change for all of us,” he also wrote. “I have done my best to see that you are all taken care of during this transition.”

Swanson hasn’t disclosed the identity of the new owners, but explained they “have some improvement plans of their own.”

Employees of Swanson’s have a work contract that extends to March 2020, according to the United Food and Commercial Workers Local No. 367 based in Tacoma.

“We will continue to represent these workers for the next three years,” said Nathe Lawver, the union’s communications director. “We will meet with the new owners to find out what changes there night be.”

Swanson’s and other area grocery stores come under what Lawver described as the “Me Too” form of work agreement. Whatever the major chains do, “they do, too,” he said.

Swanson decided to sell the business because there was no one in the family’s fourth-generation to take over the stores.

One of the locations is in south Aberdeen at 217 North Boone St., and the other is in Hoquiam at 915 Simpson Ave.

Swanson was the third generation operator of the stores. He started out pushing and gathering carts when he was young and said that he still helps with such tasks from time to time.

“I’ll probably be doing that when I leave,” he said Monday.

Swanson said his retirement will allow him more time to go fishing.

He added in his letter, “I will still be in the area and remain a loyal Swanson’s customer.”