The Shelby Report was on hand as Northgate González Market celebrated the grand opening of Mercado González La Habra, marking the transformation of one of the company’s longest-standing neighborhood stores into a culinary and cultural destination inspired by the traditional mercados found throughout Mexico, as the grocer describes it.
The Mercado González format blends everyday grocery shopping with authentic Mexican food, artisan goods and gathering spaces, while expanding the fresh groceries, meats, produce and authentic ingredients. More than 340 associates work at the La Habra Mercado, which features colorful murals, Mexican architectural elements and culinary puestos, or food stalls. The mural above the deli case, for instance, depicts the small Mexican town where the González family lived prior to immigrating to the U.S.
The grocer selected one of its top-performing grocery locations for the new Mercado González concept store. On Thursday, Oct. 22, the company held its official grand opening ceremony on the open-air patio adjacent to the store. Dignitaries from the city council welcomed the new format and presented family members with welcome plaques. Organizations were on hand to receive donations totaling $20,000.
“For decades, our La Habra store has proudly served generations of families while supporting community partners like Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, The Gary Center, La Habra and Sonora high schools, and the Boys & Girls Club of La Habra,” said Oscar González, co-president of Northgate González Market. “Today, we’re proud to introduce something even more special, a place where people can gather, discover regional flavors, celebrate our traditions and experience the warmth and hospitality that define Mexico.”
Store highlights
Highlights include a lineup of puestos serving regional specialties, among them Taquería Los Mesquites, Carnitas Don Miguel, Guisados Las Cazuelas, Rosticería Los 13 Pollos, Cevichería El Pariente and in-house tamalería, paletería, pastelería, tortillería and carnicería operations.
El Moro Churrería – the Mexico City institution – returns to the Mercado concept with its churros and hot chocolate, while Entre Nos Bar offers Mexican beers, craft cocktails, mezcal and tequila. In addition, an Artesanías & Dulcería section carries artisan crafts and traditional sweets.
Rather than a traditional ribbon-cutting, the González family and local dignitaries marked the opening with “The First Bite,” a ceremonial concha tasting. As part of the festivities, Northgate donated more than $20,000 to local schools and community organizations.
“Year after year, Northgate Market demonstrates how local businesses can also be dedicated community partners,” said La Habra Mayor Jose Medrano, citing the company’s support of the city’s Holiday Wishes Giving Program, which serves more than 350 local families.
Store hours are 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Founded in 1980, Anaheim, California-based Northgate González Market operates 46 stores in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties with more than 8,300 associates.
The original Mercado González opened in Costa Mesa in 2023.
Northgate Mercado Gonzalez Grand Opening • La Habra, California
Related: Mercado González Concept Coming To Northgate’s La Habra Store