Although some of this may be true, Safeway certainly was in MD and DC area by that point.
The store was constructed sometime between 1964 and 1970.
https://www.historicaerials.com/viewer
Of course it doesn't say what brand it was, but likely it would have been in the same family as Safeway.
>>3267130 suggests it was an Albertsons. Those two stores are under the same umbrella. Could have been rebranded an Albertsons at some time, then changed back to Safeway.
My conclusion is that there may be something fishy, but to use caution.