Oliver’s Market, an employee-owned independent grocer, is under contract to purchase Farmer’s Lane Plaza at 1501-1591 Farmer’s Lane in Santa Rosa, California, where it will open a fifth location in a 35,500-square-foot space formerly occupied by Rite Aid.
The deal is expected to close April 1, with construction beginning immediately and a 2027 opening targeted. Oliver’s will serve as anchor tenant in the plaza, which was built in 1979 and hosts a mix of retailers, restaurants and businesses.
The new location will carry Oliver’s full format, including a full-service deli, bakery, meat, seafood and produce departments, alongside organic, specialty and conventional grocery offerings. An extensive gift and floral department is also planned. The store is expected to employ 150-200 people once it is open.
General Manager Scott Gross said the announcement marks the end of a long search for the right site.
“After years of looking for our next store site, it is an exciting milestone for our employee owners to be on track for our fifth location,” Gross said. “We look forward to creating a beautiful new store where we can share our special blend of great customer service, quality, and selection to serve the Bennett Valley community as an anchor tenant in Farmer’s Lane Plaza.”
About Oliver’s Market
Established in 1988, Oliver’s operates four current locations in Santa Rosa, Cotati and Windsor. The company became an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) company and a Social Purpose Corporation in 2017 and was the first Sonoma County grocer to earn Green Business Certification from the Sonoma County Green Business Program in 2011. Oliver’s supports hundreds of local farmers and producers across food, beverage and wellness categories.
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